Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
Wednesday, September 23, 2026: As the country braced for torrential rains brought about by typhoon Queenie (international name: Surigae), several competing teams arrived at The Hamptons Caliraya in Cavinti, Laguna to prepare for the first-ever Train Venture Epic Trophy (TVET). While some parts of Luzon were drenched or even flooded by the typhoon, it was sunny and dry at Cavinti, which is widely known as the ecotourism, adventure, and glamping capital of the Philippines.
Typhoon Queenie was forecasted by PAGASA to intensify and become a threat to the event’s successful holding.
However, the weather was perfectly fine on the way to The Hamptons Caliraya that Wednesday morning. There were also a lot of banners along the roads leading to Cavinti, Laguna announcing the Trail Venture Epic Trophy and the sponsorship of Regasco.
TVET streamers at the entrance of The Hamptons Caliraya welcomed the competitors and overlanding participants alike.
Regasco tents provided the respite from the hot sun for the TVET Command Center, Registration and distribution of kits for the Trail competitors.
Among the earliest exhibitors to arrive was the team behind Blue Lithium automotive batteries and their sinister-looking customized Ford Ranger and Bronco display vehicles.
It’s hard to miss the bright green tent and flaglets of Amaron Philippines and their display of long-lasting green automotive batteries. The Amaron team was led by Sales & Marketing Manager Mac Brian Kaw (rightmost).
The team behind the super tough, totally reliable, and heavy-duty Gigglepin Winch held court at the entrance of the Clubhouse.
After initial inspections of the trail machines were conducted during the whole day of Wednesday, a Welcome Dinner was held to start the inaugural 4×4, off-road and overlanding event, which was sponsored by Republic Gas Corporation (Regasco) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Trail Venture Corporation Executive Director & Event Chairman Albert Martinez welcomed the participating teams followed by Technical, Race & Event Director Eddie Alvarado, who went through the rules of the competition. The competing teams were able to clarify the rules further during the Open Forum.
The Regasco tents provided a shade for the 4×4 machines that will be subjected to a thorough inspection and scruteneering prior to the Trail competition.
By mid-morning, the Regasco tents were filled up with the various teams’ 4×4 machines. Even the large vinyl wrap of Regasco brand ambassador Coco Martin, who is also a car enthusiast, looks pleased with the outcome.
Several competitors opted to park their competition vehicles under the sun to showcase their modifications.
This particular competition 4×4 vehicle caught everybody’s eyes. Is it a shortened SUV? Is it a 4-door crew cab pickup truck without the bed? Who knows?
The Welcome Dinner for all the TVET competitors and participants was held at Clubhouse of The Hamptons Caliraya that evening.
Trail Venture Corporation executives led by Executive Director and Event Chairman Albert Martinez formed the panel for the presentation and discussion of the competition rules.
A member of one of the competiting teams asks a highly relevant question during the Open Forum.
To commemorate the start of the first-ever Trail Venture Epic Trophy, Albert Martinez takes a groupie photo with all of the participants.
Extra Tough Trail on Thursday
Thursday, September 24, 2026: As the penultimate 4×4 competition in the Philippines, the organizers designed an extra tough course and several Team Tasks challenges for the TVET participants. The 4×4 machines of the participating teams underwent a thorough scrutineering process conducted by Alvarado’s technical team before they were allowed to line up for the starting line under the innovative Regasco arch at The Hamptons Caliraya clubhouse grounds.
Regasco Marketing Head Anson Ponce (2nd from left) joined TVET Event Director Eddie Alvaro, Event Chairman Albert Martinez and TVET Partner & Organizer Dozz Suguitan at the Regasco “Matira Matibay” Start/Finish Arch to flag-off the Trail competitors.
TVET Partner & Organizer Dozz Suguitan took a selfie with Thai motoring journalist/vlogger/4×4 enthusiast Charnchai Petchin at the unique Regasco Start/Finish Arch .
While they are still clean: Before they were flagged-off and drove through the tough and muddy Trail course, Team Libut/Diff Laklak/Jupot poses for a quick grouip shot.
Leaders of the competing teams hamming it up for the cameras before the flag-off.
After being flagged-off, the competing teams underwent the first Team Task where they used the winches of two 4×4 vehicles to ferry their motorcycle over a deep bog. Then, the teams roared off to tackle the tough TVET course laid out along the dense forest around the Sierra Madre mountain range, where they spent the next three days tackling various obstacles. One of teams had to concede on Thursday evening after two of their 4×4 machines broke down inside the forest.
The first Team Task among many challenges is ferrying the team’s dirt bike over a deep impassable bog using the powerful winches of their modified 4×4 vehicles. Wait, isn’t there another trail around that bog?
When the going gets tough, the team gets tougher… to help their dirt bike rider out of the bog.
If you think this is tough, this is just Stage 1 of Trail Venture Epic Trophy!
The first team to complete Stage 1 was Team Bogus of Ilocos Norte.
Setting Up the Expo on Friday
Friday, September 25, 2026: There were some rain clouds and a light drizzle in the morning while exhibitors were putting up their respective booths and tents at the TVET Expo. The expected strong typhoon did not materialize but some prospective sponsors and exhibitors unfortunately deferred their participation at the last minute because of the overstated storm forecast.
After the TVET Expo booths were erected, Event Chairman Albert Martinez and his Shiba Inu dog Brando went around to greet and check on the exhibitors. Here he stopped at the Amaron automotive batteries tent.
Albert and Brando stopped next at the Blue Lithium automotive batteries booth.
Albert then greeted the personnel manning the booth of Fast Cat, the official ferry transportation of TVET 2026. It’s Ferry Safe, Ferry Fast, and Ferry Convenient!
Albert thanked the country’s distributor of America’s First Oil Brand, Valvoline, for particpating in the Philippines’ first-ever Trail Venture Epic Trophy. Truly, “The Original Never Stops.”
Albert and Brando gave special thanks to the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) for standing ready with their ambulance…
… and the firefighters from the Laguna Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for standing by with their firetruck.
True to their corporate slogan, “Matira Matibay”, Regasco personnel were there throughout the 5-day event from start to finish despite the threat of strong rains. Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which is mandated to raise and provide funds for charities of national character, ignored the storm warnings to prove their motto, “Hindi Umuurong sa Pagtulong”, that translates to “PCSO never backs down from helping”.
Albert Martinez and Brando took time to check and chat with the personnel manning the Expo booth of Regasco, the main sponsor of Trail Venture Epic Trophy 2026.
Later in the afternoon, Albert went around the booths again with his grandsons and stopped at the display tent of Powerhouse Automotive Surface Protection, which offers professional auto detailing, ceramic and graphene coatings, and paint protection films (PPF).
Albert dropped by the Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corp. display tent, which saw the most number of test rides, inquiries, and sales leads.
TVET Events Execution Team members Milca Gabriel and Yorie Pondo pose for a souvenir photo with their movie idol, the one & only Albert Martinez.
“No Rain, All Gain”
Under the clear weather, Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation (KMPC) gave demo rides of their leisure vehicles such as the KLX150S dual-sport and the KLR650 Adventure motorcycles; as well as the Brute Force 300, Brute Force 750, and Mule 4×4 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Test drives of the 2026 Denza B5 4.8S DMO premium plug-in hybrid SUV, which was lent out by Denza Philippines, were also provided to the amazement and delight of interested participants.
Family members waiting for Trail competitors, Expo visitors and Overlanding campers went around the exhibitor’s tents and booths to get their “passports” stamped and receive giveaways and door prizes to fill their loot bags.
The KMPC tent was full of activities as a large number of participants test rode their Kawasaki Brute Force ATVs, KLR650 Adventure and KLX150 motorbikes.
Dose Singko Cafe proprietor Faizal Del Rosario created an impromptu coffee shop at the tent of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and gave a taste of his fantastic brews.
Expo visitors and participating campers had a choice between green or blue with the presence of Amaron and Blue Lithium automotive batteries while Valvoline provided oil and lubricant options. Powerhouse Automotive Surface Protection showcased their PPF and other auto care services. Of course, The Hamptons Caliraya booth enjoined Expo visitors to take a look at available high-end properties and activities around the venue. Most of the exhibitors got tons of inquiries and sales leads during the Expo.
“Early Birds” among the TVET Camp participants get their passports stamped at the tent of HH Asia Trading Inc. tent to get their Valvoline freebies.
Representatives of The Hamptons Caliraya graciously entertained inquiries about the available properties and amenities.
Denza Philippines provided a 2026 Denza B5 4.8S DMO premium plug-in hybrid SUV that amazed TVET participants, campers, and attendees who test drove it.
Suzuki Philippines’ Automobile Division lent a 2026 Suzuzki Jimny 5-door compact SUV that helped transport the Events Execution Team around the vast grounds of the The Hamptons Caliraya.
Two Nights Under the Stars
Saturday, September 26, 2026: Weeks before the event, several 4×4 overlanding and moto-camping clubs have signed up to camp at The Hamptons Caliraya grounds regardless of weather conditions. However, when the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Atmospheric Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that typhoon Queenie may cause possible flash floods and landslides, some of these campers deferred their participation. But the storm warning proved to be exaggerated as the Caliraya camp grounds was sunny during the day and cool during the night during the TVET Camp’s 3-day, 2-night schedule.
Several rigs of Team Mototesto Overland Equipment PH arrived on Friday afternoon to set up their campsite.
Several Pop-Up Campers arrived and set up their overlanding rigs with a space in between for their evening group activities.
The Camp participants came with a variety of 4×4 vehicles from various car brands.
This New Generation Toyota Tamaraw 4×2 with a single cab and long bed is an accessible and capable truck to mount a fully-equipped and comfortable Pop-Up Camper.
Ford Ranger 4x4s and Raptors are among the favorite pick-up trucks of overlanding enthusiasts.
Thankfully, participating campers from overlanding communities and companies such as Pop-Up Campers PH, Mototesto Overland Equipment PH, and AM4x4 set up their 4×4 rig-mounted camps from Friday night and by Saturday afternoon, the TVET Camp site was full of rigs and folks who truly enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. Saturday night saw a Cook-off Competition among the support crew and participants of the Epic Trophy Trail Competition that was judged by Swiss chef Ronny Nauer from Sarawak while campers were provided with live musical entertainment by Banda Helena, a local acoustic performance duo.
By Saturday morning, the TVET Expo and Camp sites were teeming with rigs, overlaning enthusiasts, and guests.
Overlanding means different things to different people. Some campers prefer to have their wines and spirits handy for a fun night ahead…
… while some campers treat their rigs as a “home away from home” with all the convenience one would ever need.
Inah Rice considers herself as a “Onederer” because she loves to wander in nature by herself. She even put up her campsite all by herself.
Inah’s campsite won the “Best Camp Set-up” with her cozy and homey arrangements. Who says camping cannot be glamorous?
Outdoor Lifestyle + Raffles & Awards
The Mototesto group, which is led by Tim Tuazon, usually traveled with the group, stated that they normally travel in groups of more than 25 rigs but some members backed off because of the imminent weather threat. Meanwhile, the Pop-Up Campers PH group led by Niño Racho, had their own coffee shop with Faizal Del Rosario of Dose Sinko Café as their in-house barista and their own cocktail bar with Darryl Sayno as their resident bartender, who served his signature drinks such as his kinkily-named “Blow Job”.
Most of the campers had a kitchen set-up beside their rig where they cooked delicious, mouth-watering dishes. Who ever said “You can have your cake and eat it, too” was absolutely right!
Darryl Sayno enjoyed his time as the resident bartender of Pop-Up Campers PH, serving signature drinks such as his kinkily-named “Blow Job”.
Some of the campers decided to just sit back and relax, with their lights and modern electronic conveniences getting power from fully-charged portable power stations.
The Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature of the Denza B5 plug-in hybrid SUV became extremely useful as it supplied the power for the lights and sounds of the program and entertainment that Saturday night.
No. This is not a city scene. It’s the camp grounds. The campers’ lights helped illuminate the dark night with the Denza B5 in the foreground.
The Best Camp Set-up was awarded to Onederer Inah Rice, whose Pop-Up Camper on her Ford Ranger Raptor was set up with a comfortable condo-like vibe that she was able to set up by herself. Regasco raffled off several “Supremekalan” 2.7-kilogram LPG cylinders with single burners that are ideal for campsite cooking. Regasco also gave away butane-powered portable gas ranges to each rig owner who were at the camp. During the raffle, Amaron gave away automotive batteries; Valvoline gave lubricants; Kawasaki gave away special jackets and shirts; while Blue Lithium batteries, Powerhouse, and The Hamptons Caliraya gave away loot bags. Power Wheels Magazine raffled off an inflatable cooler.
Using the Regasco Supremekalan 2.7-liter LPG tank with an attached single burner, TVET Trail competitors engaged in a Cook-Off Contest a few meters away from the Camp grounds.
The Cook-Off competitors worked their outdoor culinary magic to get the nod of the judges, one of whom was Swiss chef Ronny Nauer from Sarawak.
The musical entertainment was provided by a local acoustic duo, Bandang Helena, who dished out popular hits, and then invited singers from the campers to belt out tunes.
Faizal Del Rosario won one of the many “Supremekalan” 2.7-kilogram LPG cylinders with single burner, which were generously raffled off by Regasco.
After helping judge the Cook-Off Contest, Albert Martinez took over the raffle and then just gave away Regasco’s new portable stoves powered by the Regasco 17-gram butane canister to each rig owner who attended the TVET Camp. man, he’s really energetic, outgoing, and generous!
Of course, there was a long, long line to get Regasco’s new portable stove powered by the Regasco 17-gram butane canister with all those rig owners in attendance.
Everybody’s a winner for just being there at the TVET Camp!
What’s a camp site without a camp fire? Of course, the TVET Camp had a big bonfire where some kids (and their parents) roasted their marshmallows. Thanks again, The Hamptons Caliraya, for being so generous!
But Wait, There’s More…
Sunday, September 27, 2026: The overlanding teams broke camp on Sunday morning and proceeded to drive to their homes in Metro Manila or around the Luzon area. But the day was not yet over for the Trail competitors as the Special Stage (SS) of the Epic Trophy was held at the Bayfield lots inside The Hamptons Caliraya while the Regasco “Matira Matibay” Challenge was held on a special dirt track built near the entrance.
One of the last Team Tasks on Sunday morning was the Dead Truck Winch Challenge held at the Bayfield lots inside The Hamptons Caliraya.
You could not only see but feel the intense competitive spirit burning within each participant.
TVET Event Director Eddie Alvarado organized perhaps one of the toughest contest that will prepare Filipino competitors for tougher trails and team tasks at international competitions.
The Regasco “Matira Matibay” Special Stage was as advertized: Only the toughest will be left standing.
In the evening, the Awards Night was held at the Clubhouse, where only seven teams managed to finish the ultra-tough competition and the equally-tough and complex Regasco “Matira Matibay” Cup, Team Kimat of Baguio City/Benguet emerged as the Overall Champion of the Trail Venture Epic Trophy 2026. They will have the distinction of being the very first team to take home the Perpetual Trophy and represent the Philippines in several 4×4 competitions in Borneo and Thailand.
Sunday evening found the Clubhouse of The Hamptons Caliraya spruced up for the Trail Venture Epic Trophy Awards Night.
Of course, as the major sponsor, Republic Gas Corporation generously gave away Regasco products to all the winners. Everybody’s a “Batang Regasco” (Regasco Kid), after all.
The Overall Champion of the first-ever Trail Venture Epic Trophy will take home this fantastic and epic Perpetual Trophy sculpted by
The sculpted prototype 4×4 racer mounted on the trophy features unbelievable attention-to-detail. It definitely deserves to be called an “Epic Trophy“.
The tall and heavy Trail Venture Epic Trophy 2026 Perpetual Trophy dwarfs the wood Winners Plaques for the runners-up and Plaques of Appreciation for the generous sponsors.
After the dust has setlled, the mud has been hosed off, and the competitors’s scores have been tabulated, the winners of the first-ever Trail Venture Epic Trophy 2026 were announced. Here they are:
7th Place: Team Ulaga – Laguna | Cavite
6th Place: Team Kuyaw – Lanao del Sur
5th Place: Team Boso-Boso – Rizal
4th Place: Team New Bay – Marikina
3rd Place: Team Libut – Pampanga
2nd Place: Team Bogus – Ilocos Norte | Pampanga
Overall Champion: Team Kimat
Institutionalizing the 4×4 and Overlanding Events
It was the dream of actor, sportsman, entrepreneur, and TVET Event Chairman Albert Martinez to institutionalize the 4×4 competition and the overlanding activities by gathering all the enthusiasts of these disciplines under one challenging and fun event. “We hope that everyone had fun during this very-first Trail Venture Epic Trophy,” Martinez told the participants. “We plan to make it bigger and better next year by endeavoring to conduct Regional Competitions in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and then determine the overall winner during the National Championship back here in Cavinti. The national champion will then represent the Philippines in international competitions,” he added.
“We also plan to expand the Expo and the Camp activities to enjoin more campers, overlanding enthusiasts and outdoor lifestylists to join us,” the popular actor continued. “We will endeavor to have a bigger raffle with a lot of prizes to give away, including a brand-new car or pickup truck, hopefully.” The organizers were likewise thankful to Denza Philippines for lending a 2026 Denza B5 DMO premium SUV that was not only test driven by several Trail, Expo and Camp participants, but also provided the power for the lights and sounds during the acoustic performance and raffle draws through its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature.
The Trail Venture Epic Trophy was presented by Regasco and PCSO, and supported by Amaron automotive batteries, AM4x4, Blue Lithium batteries, FastCat Ferry, Gigglepin winch systems, Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation, Powerhouse Automotive Surface Protection, Valvoline oils and lubricants, and WRU; in partnership with The Hamptons Caliraya, Caliraya Mountain Lake Resort, and Caliraya Springs Golf Club with the cooperation of the Laguna Provincial Government, the municipality of Cavinti, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the PNP Highway Patrol group (HPG).
Special thanks to the people, bloggers, blogs, photographers and boots-on-the-ground who supplied some of the photos. For more details, log on the Trail Venture Epic Trophy Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583918633809
