Jazzing up the North
Roy Medina, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/27/2008 4:41 PM
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Day 1: Northern Exposure
It was fun all the way, to say the very least.
And rains didn’t matter as Honda flew Manila-based online media to Ilocos Norte for the two-day “All That Jazz A Fun Ride to the North Side” test drive to showcase the all-new Jazz 1.3 and 1.5 iVTEC units from October 14-15.
The morning flight from NAIA Terminal 2 was a bit bumpy though skies cleared as the plane neared Laoag International Airport. A slight drizzle greeted us again as we climbed down the steps of the plane, and onward to the waiting van and the drive to Honda Ilocos in San Nicolas town.
First activity of the day was the Utility Contest, a test of how many large-, medium- and small-sized boxes a group of two can fit inside the hatchback Jazz, with all but the driver’s seat remaining upright. Sounds daunting? You bet. But for the Jazz’s revolutionary ULTRA Seat feature, it was a breeze to pull the lever to fold the seat to fit the boxes.
Two teams with two members each were given the task of stuffing around a dozen boxes, including two “balikbayan” boxes and one 2,400-mm box into the Jazz within two minutes.
It seemed hard at first but then again, this was the Jazz, a sub-compact car that can fit baggage for a maximum space of 1,720mm (Utility Mode), 2,400mm (Long Mode) and 1,280mm (Tall Mode).
Following the Utility Contest, the groups were gathered with their Route Books for the drive up North to Burgos on four Jazz units – two 1.3 models and two 1.5 models.
Distance to Cape Bojeador is 46.5 kilometers. The rains, however, threatened to dampen the day but then again, the Jazz made it sure the ride was smooth all the way.
A few bumps here and there were experienced, especially along the asphalt roads in San Nicolas, Laoag City, Bacarra, Pasuquin and up to Burgos.
But overall, the ride was smooth throughout, since the All New Jazz is equipped with McPherson Struts in front to complement the soft and stable riding comfort while negotiating the turns and checkpoint chicanes and barriers that characterize the roads in Ilocos Norte school zones.
A brief stop in Pasuquin saw the teams taking turns in asking the roadside “manongs” and “manang” on how much they are selling bags of rock salt, Ilocos Norte’s famous “bawang” and homemade vinegar. This was the second fun challenge of the day.
After that, it was off to Cape Bojeador for another challenge.
The third task of the day called on team members to climb up the concrete steps of the Spanish-era lighthouse that has been the guiding light of Ilocano fishermen since 1892.
At the top of the lighthouse, teams were told, were the clues to the third challenge of the day. As the task ended, teams paused for a brief stop at the foot of the hill below the lighthouse before driving again to Bangui Bay for a photo shoot.
The third challenge required the teams to motor off to Paoay town, park their Jazz units in front of the world heritage site Paoay Church and look for the “treasure.”
By then, the rains had stopped and the drive was even more relaxing with the Jazz’s 5-speed AT (the first in its class) as the teams made their way through the picturesque landscapes of Ilocos Norte.
The 59.5-km drive to Paoay cut through winding roads, crests and straight-as-an-arrow pavement but it didn’t matter as the 5-speed AT (paddle shifter available in 1.5 model) made it sure that the Jazz went from smooth to smoother in a matter of seconds. The quick response helped a lot too, as were the seats that made you feel you were in a moviehouse.
Zigzagged roads, uphill drives and the checkpoint chicanes were a breeze as the Jazz’s glass area has been made 1.2 times larger by moving the upper end of the windshield toward the rear. Obstructions to visibility, such as the instrument panel, has also been lower and given a forward nudge to aid drivers more while negotiating turns.
At the same time, the Jazz’s front quarter left and right windows are now three times larger while the pillar width is about 20mm down for enhanced visibility in blind curves.
In Paoay, clues were scattered to guide the teams from the church plaza’s fountain area toward the church itself for the treasure. Step by single step, teams were told to follow the rules hidden behind a cross, under a bushes, taped on the church door itself and finally, the treasure box atop a landing on the belfry.
(Next: Day 2, Fuel Eco-Run)
