Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Toyota Road Trek is the annual event where Toyota Motor Philippines brings us members of the motoring media on a ride-and-drive activity that takes us all around the country. Every year, it’s an excuse to take off the serious hat and put on something a tad sillier. This year though, they’ve ramped things up a notch and not in the physical sense. This year, Road Trek welcomes the world of social media.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

There’s this saying that goes, “What happens in Toyota Road Trek, stays in Toyota Road Trek.” To the uninitiated, the annual Toyota Road Trek reads like the motoring beat’s equivalent of spring break, and to a certain degree it does; but besides the being handcuffed to the stage, getting piss-drunk at two in the afternoon, and hanging on for dear life on a mountain cliff, it’s more all about camaraderie, friendship, and the drive. Of course, all done in the Toyota Motor Philippines way.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The soft orange hue of the mid-summer sunrise greeted me as I drove into Toyota Global City—the flagship dealer that carries the new bolder and younger brand identity standard. As a Road Trek novice, I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this ninth outing (the previous ones had everything from mental to driving to even physical challenges) except save for two clues: the outline of a track curb on the invitation as well as the words, “Clark and Palawan: Reloaded”. Perhaps it could mean an Amazing Race-style winner-takes-all challenge or perhaps it could mean a date with the Clark International Speedway? Whatever it may be, I stepped down from my car, took a deep breath, and waited for the briefing to begin.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

We were gone for three days last week, and here's the reason why. Toyota held its annual Road Trek event in Bohol and Cebu. Here's what we did. Enjoy.