As the rainy season descends upon the Philippines, the Philippine Overland Loop (POEL) team has triumphantly completed an extraordinary 42-day expedition across the breathtaking landscapes of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Despite the challenges posed by an unusually long hot and dry spell earlier this year, the team’s spirit remained undaunted.
Under the leadership of Jec Zshornack, known in the off-roading community as “Jec Episodes,” Team POEL traversed an impressive 8,000 kilometers, visiting over 80 inter-island destinations. Throughout their journey, they meticulously documented every turn, step, and experience, capturing the essence of this remarkable adventure.
As the team prepared for the Luzon leg of their journey, they felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. Fatigue from the first two legs of the trip in the southern island groups weighed heavily, but Jec and his team quickly discovered that their concerns were unfounded. The team was greeted with stunning surprises, including the enchanting Baul Falls nestled in a lush rainforest, where a combination of off-roading and hiking made the visit unforgettable.
Among their stops, Panacpan Beach in Sta. Ana, Cagayan, proved to be a hidden gem. The team made a point to visit this pristine paradise, where stretches of white sand remained largely untouched, inviting only a few adventurous explorers for a refreshing dip.
In Aparri, a place often mentioned in passing, Team POEL met with the Born To Roam Crew. After a long day’s drive, they arrived at the La Paz Sand Dunes, where Junior Fariñas of RC Adventures prepared a delicious meal to fuel the group for their next adventure the following morning.
While many experience the Laoag Sand Dunes in rented 4x4s, the POEL team tackled the rugged terrain with their own sport utility vehicles. Their journey took them to the historic city of Vigan, where they immersed themselves in the sights and sounds of Ilocos Sur, leaving with not only cherished memories but also bottles of local wine from an honesty store.
The team’s cultural exploration continued as they sought out Apo Whang Od, the renowned “mambabatok” known for her traditional tattooing techniques. After receiving her distinctive three-dot tattoo, they encountered an unexpected challenge—a massive rockslide blocking their path. After a grueling three-hour wait for the road to clear, they pressed on to their next destination.
Driving through the breathtaking landscapes of Atok, Benguet, and onward to Baguio City, the team faced the challenge of night driving along one of the Philippines’ highest highway systems. Their next destination, Bolinao, offered relaxation after adventures that included cave explorations and lighthouse visits.
As they made their way back to Manila, a stop in Subic, Zambales, was essential for some well-deserved rest and vehicle maintenance. With tired bodies and eager spirits, the team knew that they were just hours away from claiming the title of Philippine Loop Conqueror. They concluded their journey with a pilgrimage to Kilometer Zero, where they had commenced their adventure on March 10.
On the surface, the Philippine Overland Exploration Loop is a thrilling experience that many may only encounter once in a lifetime. Jec’s videos showcase the breathtaking beauty, cultural richness, and historical depth of the Philippines, capturing moments of triumph and adversity alike. The journey serves as a testament to all those who have ventured through the diverse landscapes of the archipelago’s 7,641 islands.
The success of POEL was made possible through the unwavering support of Jec’s friends, loved ones, and the following sponsors: Overland Kings, Nitto Tires, Shell Philippines, Method Race Wheels, FastCat, Elf Lubricants by YHI Philippines, Index Batteries, Ohlins Advance Suspension Technology, Total Hitch, Trail Gecko, myCOOLMAN, WRU GPS Fleet Management, Vinyl Frog, 510 Premium Auto Detailing and Ceramic Coating, DDPAI Dashcam, SONAX, PIAA, CTEK Battery Chargers, V-Kool Automotive Tints, COMEUP Winch, Autoclinic Philippines, Sprint Filter, IOPEDAL Pedal Box and Tuning, CarScoot, Quad Lock, and Barebones Living.
As he often says when asked about future journeys, “YES, UULITIN!” This bold claim holds true as the POEL team is already planning a bigger and bolder adventure, inviting everyone to follow Jec Episodes on his YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@jecepisodes917/featured where he documents each leg of this historic journey, including the Visayas and Mindanao legs.
