Man was not created to operate solely in the workplace. But, as with anything in the real world, bills have to be paid and ladders are designed to be climbed. Nevertheless, it’s not always good for you to be indoors all the time. The recycled air that circulates through the ventilation of your workplace can be loaded with all sorts of germs. Incorrect posture in front of the computer can result in carpal tunnel syndrome. A non-ergonomic chair can cause both short- and long-term discomfort. Co-workers will start talking behind your back. That sort of thing.
Being career-driven is all good; being obsessed isn’t. What I’m really trying to say is that it’s healthy to strike a balance and get out once in a while.
After long hours cooped up inside the office, nothing can be more gratifying than going out for a nice long hike in the woods or maybe a bike ride around some trails. Anything that breaks routine and monotony is always good. And it’s even better when it involves the outdoors. By getting out and embracing nature, one is able to reconnect with that which the Almighty has created for us to enjoy.
In accordance with the idea of straying away from the tiresome and repetitive nature of work, Isuzu Philippines’ “Great Drive, Great Life” lifestyle event, held last March 14-15, took guests from their normal schedules and allowed them to live it up in the great outdoors.
Isuzu’s “Great Life, Great Drive” event revolved around their 2008 model of the Alterra (read: “all-terrain”), a versatile SUV that combines comfort and styling with rugged and all-purpose applications. Imagine watching your favorite DVD or listening to sub-woofer pumped sounds while crossing a riverbed. And it has a lot of cup holders. Isuzu has succeeded in creating a lifestyle vehicle that can effortlessly bring vacationers to their out-of-town destinations for fun activities in absolute comfort, and with great convenience.
“Obviously, we wanted to show our customers that there are so many fun outdoor activities that you can do with the 2008 Isuzu Alterra,” says Isuzu Philippines Corporation president Keiji Takeda. “While it’s true that our popular SUV is a dependable workhorse, we are also confident that it is ideal for the whole family as they engage in recreational activities and leisure trips — which is precisely why it has been voted the best large SUV for two consecutive years in the Petron Extra Unleaded Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards.”
To make the event interesting, Isuzu planned special outdoor team activities for the participants. The first contest directly involved the Alterra, and this was an off-road gymkhana, where the contestants drove the 2008 Alterra through an off-road course set in the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga. Although making good time was still a factor, this was a race that was all about accuracy and precision in driving on terrain that constantly needs traction. And it was fun to feel the Alterra’s turbo charger kick in during a sweet jump across the river.
The group then moved on to the Eagle Sports Shooting Club and Range where they engaged each other in the next contest, the sports clay-shooting event. Using a shotgun, the participants aimed at clay pigeons and received points for every successfully hit target. The challenge here was following a moving object and keeping cool when factors like the shotgun’s weight and being trigger-happy became too intense.
Taking the newly completed Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the event moved to the Subic Bay Yacht Club for the next event. The road going to Subic was a relaxing drive with many picturesque views of the Zambales mountains in the distance.
At Subic, teams raced each other on four-man sailboats to a buoy located some 300 meters from the shore and back. Wind became a factor in this contest, and unlucky teams stayed out in the water for more than half an hour. Our team found members whistling over the sound of splashing waves. It worked: the wind came.
After the sailing competition, the group drove to the El Kabayo stable, where they were pitted against each other in the final contest of the event — horse-riding. Straddling a steed, the competitors were involved in a barrel race relay that saw them take turns running around a circular course.
At the end of the day, only one team could be crowned champion, but all the participants were winners just for taking part in all the events and activities. The actual prizes were really good, but there is something about having the experience itself that makes outdoor events such as these priceless.
So take that, office chairs, desks and files. Now that the summer season is here, more and more Filipinos will find escape routes out of the city, finding themselves closer to nature and the outdoors.
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The “2008 Isuzu Alterra… Great Drive, Great Life” event was sponsored by Petron Diesel Max and Unilever Philippines. Book yourself a test drive in the Alterra at your nearest Isuzu dealership today, and find out how it can enhance your family’s lifestyle activities.
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Email me at enricomiguelsubido@yahoo.com