I recently wrote about the Chocolate Crocodile by Chef Hannah Granado featured heavily in Davao on Septemnber 21, 2025.
The cake was great.
Amazing.
It showcased her talent as a chef.
Her imagination, beyond compare.
But the car guy in me was curious about one thing: what vehicle or vehicles she used to transport such a massive delicacy.
And I thought, oh cool… maybe I should ask her instead of imagining that the 16-foot crocodilian chocolate cake was brought in one piece from her place to the venue.
So, I sent her a message and within a few hours I received a response.
Such a nice person!
So apparently they used three vehicles to transport the chocolate cake in 5 pieces to the venue.
Those vehicles were a Mitsubishi L300, a Mitsubishi Adventure, and a Toyota Tamaraw (the new one).
Oh goodie, vehicles I was familiar with.
You see, we’ve owned these vehicles, except for the new Toyota Tamaraw, and I’ve driven them countless time. Talk about first-hand experience.
So cool.
Anyway so Chef Granado used these three vehicles to deliver her massive crocodilian chocolate cake in 5 pieces.
The pieces were:
- Head
- Upper body
- Lower body
- Tail (part 1)
- Tail (part 2) and arms and limbs
Here’s what that looked like:
Once at the venue, thye re-assembled the cake and did some retouches to make it look as good as it did before everyone had a piece of it.
Pictures don’t d it justice.
That chocolate crocodile cake was amazing and it will remain in my mind for a very long time.
Hopefully, I’ll think of other ways to write about it to keep it in everyone’s minds and maybe lead some customers to Chef Granado’s place of business.
Now on to the Vehicular Workhorses!
I’ll start it with the New Toyota Tamaraw because that’s the one I’m unfamiliar with.
New Toyota Tamaraw
When the first pics of the Toyota Tamaraw were released online, I immediately fell in love with it. One reason was because it was going to be built in the Philippines.
That means it’d be cheaper and it would provide local jobs to a lot of Filipinos.
There’s a lot left to be desired with how it looks, though.
But I also have to understand that this is primarily a work truck and not really a luxury vehicle.
So, with that in consideration, I think the Toyota Tamaraw is perfect as a workhorse.
I just realized later on that it wasn’t really for someone like me who wants a little comfort.
To be fair, let’s explore the vehicle a bit.
The cab, or front part of the Toyota Tamaraw looks good enough. It’s like a pug.
Or a bulldog with its wide visage and stout front.
I keep trying to find ways to remind me of its predecessor but there really is very little resemblance.
After a bit of searching, I realized why that was. The New Toyota Tamaraw was never meant to be the reimagining of the old Tamaraw. It was just another line developed under the Hilux line.
The Tamaraw name was just used for marketing purposes specifically in the Philippines because entire generations of Filipinos have experienced getting on or riding a Toyota Tamaraw.
Not cool, not cool.
Kind of devious but from a marketing strategy’s standpoint: genius!
The front cab has the standard amenities needed in a work vehicle. Two spartan seats that don’t recline which is a bummer because you’d want to rest after a hard day’s work right?
But looking at the old Tamaraw, the seats don’t recline either so yeah, maybe that was on purpose. For nostalgic purposes.
There’s airconditioning. And you can choose between manual or automatic which is a blessing in the Philippines’ stop and go traffic.
Radio, huge compartments to store stuff in and two cupholders come standard with the Toyota Tamaraw. Or should I say Hilux… because there are huge Hilux emblems up in that cab too.
The New Toyota Tamaraw Bed (Yeah, Meh or Bleh?)
What made me change my mind about the New Toyota Tamaraw is the bed. It’s very spartan. Like a Multicab’s bed.
But after some reflecting on the product. I realized it wasn’t the vehicle’s fault.
They have a select customer base. People who are looking for an efficient workhorse with a cargo area they won’t mind scuffing or scratching.
Right now, I’m not part of it.
But I see a large potential of me owning one in the future if and when the durian trees in the farm start bearing fruit.
That bed is meant to be used and abused.
It’s designed so that you won’t have to worry about placing stuff in it.
Not like other pickups offered in the market today that you’d have second thoughts about putting it through its paces.
I guess the only downside to having that kind of truck bed on the New Toyota Tamaraw is that it would really look out of place in a common parking lot with regularly used vehicles or daily drivers.
That bed just screams workhorse wherever it goes.
… but I’m thinking, since the seats don’t recline in the front. All you need to do is bring a thin mattress, lay it out on the truck bed and lie fully stretched out there whien you take a nap after a hard day’s work!
Or after transporting a chocolate crocodile cake for Davao people to enjoy.
| Toyota Hilux Champ | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Model code | AN110 AN120 |
| Also called | Toyota Hilux Rangga (Indonesia) Toyota Tamaraw (Philippines) Toyota Hilux Stout (Peru) |
| Production | November 2023 – present |
| Assembly | Thailand: Samrong Tai (TMT) Philippines: Santa Rosa, Laguna (TMP) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact pickup truck Light commercial vehicle |
| Body style | 2-door pickup 2-door chassis cab 4-door utility van |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Toyota IMV |
| Chassis | Body-on-frame |
| Related | Toyota Hilux (AN110/AN120/AN130) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Petrol: 2.0 L 1TR-FE I4 2.7 L 2TR-FE I4 Diesel: 2.4 L 2GD-FTV turbo I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed R151 manual 6-speed AC60 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm (108.3 in) (SWB) 3,085 mm (121.5 in) (LWB) |
| Length | 4,705 mm (185.2 in) (SWB, chassis cab) 4,970 mm (195.7 in) (SWB) 5,040 mm (198.4 in) (LWB, chassis cab) 5,300 mm (208.7 in) (LWB) |
| Width | 1,785 mm (70.3 in) |
| Height | 1,735 mm (68.3 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Toyota Kijang Pickup |
Mitsubishi Adventure
For as long as I can remember, our family has been loyal to the Mitsubishi company. We’ve owned several Mitsubishi vehicles over the years.
And that’s because they’ve proven to be very reliable if you take care of them well.
One such vehicle that our family has owned is a 2001 Mitsubishi Adventure Super Sport that was fun to drive anywhere.
Flooding in Manila?
No problem.
Rough roads?
Easy.
My youngest brother and I even took it for a long distance drive fomr Avenida to Tarlac with a cadaver table mounted on the top rack, a few weighing scales (two or three?), and three hospital beds inside.
We had to fold down the rear seats to extend the cargo area and fit everything in there.
The Mitsubish Adventure didn’t complain. We still hit a respectable 80 to 100kph on the expressway and got to our destination on time for our deliveries.
After that we spent a night in Tarlac within the campus and assembled our deliveries in the early morning.
Of course we didn’t really sleep that night. We went around Tarlac with our workhorse.
The Mitsubishi Adventure was a good-looking vehicle and it looked just as comfortable being in the company of other luxury SUVs as any other.
It didn’t look out of place in Quiapo or in BGC.
| Mitsubishi Freeca | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors China Motor Corporation |
| Model code | VA VB |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Freeca (Taiwan) Mitsubishi Adventure (Philippines) Mitsubishi Kuda (Indonesia) Mitsubishi Jolie (Vietnam) Soueast Freeca (China) Africar Landio/Jockey (South Africa) |
| Production | 1997–2017 (Taiwan) 1998–2017 (Philippines) 1999–2005 (Indonesia) 1998–2007 (Vietnam) 2001–2017 (China) |
| Assembly | Taiwan: Yangmei, Taoyuan County (now Taoyuan City) (China Motor) Philippines: Cainta[1] (until 2015); Santa Rosa (2015–2017) (MMPC) Indonesia: Jakarta (KKM) China: Qing Kou, Min Hou, Fuzhou South Africa: Cape Town Vietnam: Hồ Chí Minh City (Mekong Auto Corporation) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact station wagon Compact pickup truck (Taiwan only) |
| Body style | 5-door wagon 2-door pickup (Taiwan only) |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Chassis | Body-on-frame |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Petrol: 1.6 L 4G18 SOHC I4 (Indonesia) 2.0 L 4G63A SOHC I4 2.0 L 4G94 16-valve I4 (China) Diesel: 2.5 L 4D56 SOHC I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm (103.1 in) |
| Length | 4,320–4,375–4,410–4,655 mm (170.1–172.2–173.6–183.3 in) |
| Width | 1,650–1,690–1,750 mm (65.0–66.5–68.9 in) |
| Height | 1,800–1,830 mm (70.9–72.0 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,445–1,500 kg (3,186–3,307 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mitsubishi Zinger/Fuzion (Freeca/Adventure) Mitsubishi Maven (Kuda) Mitsubishi Xpander (Adventure/Kuda/Jolie) Mitsubishi Destinator (Adventure/Kuda/Jolie) |
It took a fall off a cliff to take that Mitsubishi Adventure out of commission and active duty. It’s still in our possession though. We had it retrieved from the bottom of the cliff and it stil runs. The body is just a bit damaged.
It’s still not road-worthy though.
But with enough money, the Mitsubishi Adventure can be resurrected and could be turned into a worthy overlander.
Mitsubishi L300
Our family has owned a Mitsubishi L300 for a long time. It’s still running to this day and is still delivering medicines and other equipment from point A to point B without any hitch.
| Second generation | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Chrysler/Mitsubishi L300 Express (Australia)[7] Mitsubishi L300 Mitsubishi Colt L300 (Indonesia) Ford Husky (South Africa)[8] Hyundai Porter Isuzu Bison (Indonesia) Mahindra Voyager (India) |
| Production | 1979–1986 (van) 1979–1994 (truck) 1981–present (Indonesia)[9] 1987–2017, 2019–present (Philippines) |
| Assembly | Japan: Nagoya (Nagoya Plant) Indonesia: *Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta (KRM, until 2018) *Cikarang, West Java (MMKI, 2018–2022, 2023–present) South Korea: Ulsan (Hyundai, truck only) Philippines: *Cainta, Rizal (Mitsubishi Motors Philippines) (until 2014) *Santa Rosa, Laguna (2015–2017, 2019–present)[10] China: Fuzhou (Forta; 1984–1986)[11] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2/4-door pickup 2-door chassis cab 4/5-door van 4-door panel van |
| Layout | Front-mid engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-mid engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Petrol: 1.4 L 4G33 I4 1.6 L 4G32 I4 1.8 L 4G62 I4 2.0 L 4G63/G63B I4 Diesel: 2.2 L 4N14 DOHC 16V TD I4 (2019–present) 2.3 L 4D55 I4 (1982–1986) 2.5 L 4D56 I4 (1986–2022) 2.5 L XD3P OHV I4 (Mahindra Voyager, India) 2.5 L 4JA1-L OHV TD I4 (Isuzu Bison, Indonesia) |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic 4/5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | SWB: 2,200 mm (86.6 in) LWB: 2,350 mm (92.5 in) |
| Length | SWB: 4,000–4,195 mm (157.5–165.2 in) LWB: 4,260 mm (167.7 in) Van: 4,445 mm (175.0 in) |
| Width | Van: 1,670–1,690 mm (65.7–66.5 in) Pickup: 1,695–1,700 mm (66.7–66.9 in) |
| Height | Van: 1,820–1,990 mm (71.7–78.3 in) Pickup: 1,795–1,845 mm (70.7–72.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 930–1,165 kg (2,050.3–2,568.4 lb) (RWD) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Isuzu Traga (for Isuzu Bison) |
The Mitsubishi L300 is part of the Delica line and is just as powerfully built from the ground up. I can trust the Mitsubishi L300 to take me anywhere without any worries. Provided of course that I’ve outfitted it with the right equipment or gear to handle the terrain I am going to make it go through.
I’ve no doubt in my mind that if and when our Mitsubishi L300 has reached its supposed retirement age that we’ll keep it for sentimental reasons.
Hopefully by that time, I’ll have enough finances to turn it into an overlander.
Like this:
Yeah!
Keep Them Alive with Some Basic Maintenance to Help Them Survive
So yeah, these three vehicles may be old (save for the Toyota Tamaraw) but they continue to amaze people with their longevity and ability to take on heavy loads that other vehicles would give up on.
Take good care of them and I believe they’ll serve you for many years to come (the New Toyota Tamaraw included).
Regular oil changes are a must. Bringing them to your trusty mechanic should also be regularly done.
With those things in mind, you’ll have workhorses for a good 50 years or more.
