For many years, people have loved camping. I myself started camping right after high school graduation. Four classmates and I went on a camping trip to Calatagan and Lian, Batangas but we took a bus going there with a heavy canvas tent in tow. We found good, flat surface by the beach in Calatagan and we immediately mounted our tent. All five of us fitted in the tent but at around 2 am, we woke to light waves splashing on our tent. That’s when we realized the sea went on a high tide.
This was followed that same year by a camping trip at Mt. Makiling, the site of the 1958 World Scouts Jamboree. We stayed at Lancauan Hall where the boy scouts also stayed that jamboree year. There were bunker beds and one of the campers fell from the bed as he dreamed that he was looking for Maria Makiling, he said. We did quite a lot of hiking there.
Fast forward to 90s. I covered the 1997 Australian Safari and this was my longest camping experience, 14 days camping in the Outback and staying in the hotel for only three days. We were driven in a Holden Jackaroo or Isuzu Trooper and moved from one campsite to another everyday. I slept on a swag. It’s made of thick canvas with a built-in 4-inch mattress underneath. It was winter and the sleeping bag provided by the organizers was a big help. I was only able to buy my own tent only on our last two days in the Outback in Alice Springs before heading off to Gold Coast, the finish line for the competitors and media.
Car camping became more popular during the pandemic. With restricted travel and accommodations people shifted to car camping for trips to the outdoors. Camping accessories including light tents, folding chairs and cookwares enjoyed good sales. For those who can afford it, they built their rigs with off road essentials and installed roof tents on their vehicles.
Car camping became a hit and continued to be so even after the
pandemic. Campsites in various parts of the country multiplied. One of the more popular ones is River Ranch in Tanay. It has wide space for cars and tents and has clean restroom facilities. There’s also free w-fi in the area. They also give wood for bonfires.
The Senior Car Campers Plus, a group of about 30 or more couples celebrated their second anniversary at River Ranch last September. Despite heavy rains and strong winds, the campers stayed at the camp and proceeded with the scheduled program inside the covered pavillion. My son, Eric, and I had a sturdy awning tent and we enjoyed good sleep
despite the rains after the program. Earlier in the day, the campers participated in tree planting around the area to help create more shade in the surroundings.
I have camped in different sites since I revived my interest in camping– Baras in Rizal, Porac in Pampanga, Villa Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon, Splendor Hills in Tanauan, Batangas, Agno Beach in Pangasinan, Botolan Beach and Crystal Beach in Zambales. My grandkids and I even camped beside our house in Malvar, Batangas when my SUV had a roof tent two years ago.
Isuzu Philippines Corporation which has spearheaded driving and camping in Mt. Pulag, Mt. Apo, Mt. Pinatubo, Sagada and Nasugbu, Batangas the past several years had their latest camping trip to Sagada in the Mountain Province last August. The camping trip had a twist. Whereas in the past, we did the pitching of our respective tents and the cooking, this time IPC teamed up with Overland Kings which installed roof tents and awning tents on the Isuzu units. They also took care of the cooking chores with known chefs introducing healthy food with seafood and a lot of vegetables. It was always nice to see once again the sea of clouds beside one of the mountain tops on an early morning.
Car Camping is here to stay with more groups and car companies organizing camp-outs. If I may add, there is also moto camping with riders going on their camping trips with tents, hammocks and portable gas stoves and food stored in the box of their motorcycles.
I know one family who fell in love with camping. Met them at River Ranch last year where they had their first camping experience. They camp at least once a month and have upgraded their vehicle to an AWD or All Wheel Drive so they can cross rivers and tackle more challenging terrains. Several members of the Senior Car Campers had their camp in Botolan, Zambales over the weekend and according to their Facebook post, they will proceed to Lake Mapanuepe in San Marcelino, Zambales after they leave Botolan. There’s also a February 1- 3 camping at River Ranch where majority of the members are expected to join coinciding also with a Chinese New Year camp there. It will be a big one.
Overland Kings will also have their annual OK Camp at Crystal Beach in Zambales on February 7- 9. There will be all kinds of builds and rigs to be used there. Mototesto is another group that organizes the Philippine Loop and last year, they had more than 50 rigs that joined their convoy in various provinces.
It’s also interesting to note that Toyota Motor Philippines has introduced the Next Generation Tamaraw, one variant of which is the Tamaraw RV or recreational vehicle. The RV has a sleeper bed at its roof extension and the sofas can be converted into two beds accommodating three more campers. It also comes with a kitchen and a toilet and bath. I can imagine that its passenger van can also be converted into a camper van.
I have yet to use a full electric car for camping. If it’s only for an overnight camp, the EVs can be used to power a rice cooker, gadgets and fan. One time when I had the BYD Dolphin as a test drive, I boiled water from a kettle plugging it to the car’s 220-volt outlet and I had my hot water in a few minutes.
One of the concerns of campers is safety but if you’re in a group or in a secure campsite, there should be no problem. I know some solo campers who have adopted van life and they can sleep by the side of the road or even in some secluded places but I’m sure they scout the area first before they settle.
Here’s to a fun-filled, safe and inspiring camp-outs ahead!
