Fast and Fabulous: Ferrari FF to Baler

Ferrari FF in Baler. PHOTO BY Marc Soong

As a businessman and as a person, one of the things I try to live by is “if you are going to do something, do it differently”.

A few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to work with a luxury TV show and the destination was the beautiful new Costa Pacifica in Baler.  As I handle multiple car brands, I could offer the obvious usual suspects to take to Baler as the place is known for off-road motoring. The trip is around 280 kilometers one way, with a few stretches of gravel and unpaved roads. After some research and thought, I decided to bring a Ferrari FF.  Yes, a Ferrari to Baler.

Just a little about the FF – it is a 12 cylinder, 620-horsepower and 683-Nm Ferrari that can sit 4 fully grown adults , with enough space in the trunk for a nice weekend getaway.  The challenge was to drive the Ferrari through the bad roads. One of the biggest concerns people raised was driving on the Aurora Trans-basin Dam – a one-way road that has 15 or so big, bad humps.  My solution was that the car comes with a lift option that lifts all four corners 1.5 inches.

Ferrari FF in Baler. PHOTO BY Marc Soong

Off we went on our journey with myself being a bit skeptical on the decision I made.  Did I pick the correct car?  Would I have to leave the Ferrari at some point?  Would I wreck a tire?  With a little hesitation, I pushed through. And what a drive it was.  Being an all wheel drive sports car, it negotiated the twists and turns with amazing agility.  The rough patches?  Lift the car and proceed!  The journey there was amazing and the experience changed the way I see the FF.  I now love the FF and it is my favorite Ferrari because of its all-around usefulness.  I believe that the FF is the first Ferrari to make it to Baler.  This relates to yet another rule of mine: if you are going to do something, be the first. It was a beautiful weekend spent with family and friends, in the beautiful Costa Pacifica resort, the only place to stay in Baler.  Now that a Ferrari has made it, I can encourage other motorists to drive to Baler.

At the start of that day, I posted some photos and teased on Instagram (@marcsoong), “Where are you going FF?”

I can safely say that we took it to the edge.

Editor’s Note – 33 year-old Marc Soong has been in their family business for many years now and is chiefly responsible in handling the operations and marketing of the various luxury car brands they represent and distribute in the Philippines – Jaguar, Land Rover, Ferrari, and Maserati.  He has a passion for cars, people, cooking, travelling, and life in general.