| Motoring City’s roaring VTEC brings life to Bohol
Home to the world- famous Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers, Bohol is also a favorite proving/group test-drive ground among motoring companies that want to put their modern chariots through their paces. Honda Cars Philippines is no exception. Only last week, Honda shepherded motoring journalists to the scenic and historic island for its version of the ride-and-drive experience. For a couple of weeks, VTEC engines that powered Honda City cars gave life to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. The 2009 City has come a long way since its first- generation sibling was introduced in 1996 in response to the growing needs of Asian markets for an affordable and reliable subcompact car. Today, the City is produced in seven countries: Thailand, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, China, Turkey and the Philippines. I was part of the third and final batch of motoring journalists Honda gathered for its group test-drive in Bohol. My group had the historic Clarin Ancestral House for its quarters. Situated a few kilometers from the airport, the Filipino-Spanish Clarin House is one of the oldest structures in the island. “If the walls could only talk, they would have many tales to tell about the island and its prominent residents during the pre-war and post-war eras,” says the tour guide. After a brunch of local delicacies, the participants boarded their respective City units and drove to a tarsier haven alongside the Loboc River. I drove shotgun with Charles Buban of the Inquirer on board a 1300cc manual City. The well-paved roads of Bohol provided the perfect opportunity for lead footed pen pushers like I and Buban to push the car to its limit. Half an hour later, the convoy drove down the tourist port of Loboc. What is unique about the Loboc River tour is that visitors are serenaded by singers while partaking of a buffet lunch. Food and drinks abound like we were having a feast. Shortly after lunch, we drove off to our final destination for the day—the centuries-old Baclayon church. The following day saw us sprinting toward the main attraction of the island, the Chocolate Hills. Since it was going to be our last stop of the two-day ride-and-drive event, organizer George Ramirez instructed us to push the pedal to the metal for the convoy to make the late afternoon flight back home. This time, Aris Ilagan of the Bulletin was behind the wheel of the 1500cc VTEC City, with Pinky Colmenares and Charles Buban riding at the back. The City accelerated like a bunny rabbit despite traveling on a full load. Introduced by Honda as a subcompact car in 1981 for the Asian market, the City is also known as the Fit Aria or the half brother of the Honda Jazz/Fit. The fourth-generation City began its debut in the Asian market early this year, with Honda positioning the City to lock horns with the Toyota Yaris, Toyota Vios, Nissan Tiida and Korean subcompacts. “The local production of the City is a testament of Honda’s long-term confidence in local manufacturing,” says Hiroshi Shimizu, Honda Cars president and general manager. “This latest iteration of the City will definitely change the standards in its class. Apart from value for money and reliable qualities the City has been known for, this 2009 model offers dynamic styling and class-leading technologies that are suitable to the demands of modern-day urban living,” said Voltaire Gonzales, head of sales operations. |
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