A trip to Mt. Pinatubo wouldn’t be complete without sampling a ride in locally-assembled 4 X 4 jeeps, also known as four wheelers. In fact, they’re your vehicular gateway to Pinatubo. Riding these sturdy vehicles of metal and steel makes the whole trip half-fun and half adventurous. Seven of us were able to squeeze in one jeep (including the driver) and our guide was seated by the hood, for lack of space.
Anyway, I couldn’t help but be amused when I asked the driver about the make and assembly of the jeep. The body was like a surplus Willys jeep, while the engine and chassis are either Toyota or Mitsubishi. I really don’t know what kind of quality control our local mechanics imposed on the jeeps, but their performance sure looked impressive as we climbed the famed “Skyway” (shortcut to Pinatubo) with its rough roads, steep climbs, rocky surface, and lahar-laden territories.
If, as a tourist, you’re amazed at the colorful Philippine jeepneys, the Pinatubo four-wheelers are another incarnation. As they say, iba ang Pilipino….. Only in the Philippines! 
