Fifteen college students
belonging to five teams are on their path to becoming afflicted with a good
addiction. Becoming travel junkies is just around the bend for these lucky 15,
as they experience adventure in this year’s Cebu Pacific #JuanForFun Backpacker
Challenge. Just like in the previous
editions of #JuanForFun, Cebu Pacific is pushing the envelope once again by adding
additional spice, to make this year’s challenge a more exciting one. Returning
are celebrity coaches; musician Champ Lui Pio, Internet star Bogart the
Explorer, and travel writer Jude Bacalso. They will be joined by first-time
coaches; actress, singer and blogger Saab Magalona, and TV host and VJ Robi
Domingo.
#JFFTeamWork is composed of
Serge Calumpong of Ateneo de Davao, April Nacion of University of Southeastern
Philippines, and Jaysson Presores of the University of Mindanao. They are
excited to be partnered with adventure coach and fellow Bisaya, Jude. Close
since they were in high school, the trio said joining Juan for Fun would be an
exciting adventure and an ultimate test of friendship. “We know that there will
be no dull moments when we are together,” shared April. “We would do our best
to encourage one another and, of course, mag-lingaw-lingaw pag-ayo (enjoy
everything)!”
Five
Teams – Seven Days and One Adventure of a Lifetime
“the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun
Backpacker Challenge 2016 promises all these and more. Now on its fifth—and biggest!
—year, the annual backpacking escapade is bringing five teams of thrill-seeking
students to exhilarating destinations—all for free.
As
if the once-in-a-lifetime escapade is not enough, this year’s Ultimate
Backpackers, or big winners, will take home the challenge’s biggest prize yet—a
Travel-All-You-Can pass. This entitles each member to as many free flights to
domestic and international short-haul destinations as they want within one
year. They will also win exciting premium travel gear from the challenge’s
partner brands.
Throughout
the challenge, the teams will have to take on as many exciting experiences and
daring discoveries within their given travel allowance worth P35,000. They can
visit the country’s renowned tourist spots including heritage sites, churches,
and parks, sample scrumptious local delicacies, and get to know the locals.”
Travel
tips from the pros
First-time adventure coaches
Robi and Saab shared that they can’t wait to be a part of the Juan for Fun
teams’ adventures, armed and ready to share tips and pointers to help
participants make the most out of the experience.
“I
got to know about this fun challenge because Gretchen (Ho) was previously a
part of it,” Robi said. “I’m looking forward to a crazy learning experience.”
Robi shared his excitement
for the Juan for Fun teams, saying that they should prepare for one amazing
experience. “They will be traveling to
different areas, immersing in various cultures and eating lots of great food,”
he said.
Robi added that he hopes his
“hustle attitude” will help his own
team bag the Ultimate Backpacker crown. “I
may look like I’m playing it cool but I will do everything to get the gold.”
As a first-time adventure
coach, Saab looks forward to seeing how the teams are going to prepare for
their trips. “I remember my first plane
ride as a grown-up was after college, so I am curious to see how much the kids
know about travelling.”
Saab thinks that for Juan
for Fun teams to win in the backpacking challenge, they should learn how to
read maps and develop navigation skills. “The
members should also be physically fit. They also need to know each other's
strengths and know when to lead or follow,” she said.
In coaching her Juan for Fun
adventure team, the celebrity blogger hopes to cheer her team better than the
other coaches. “I’m really noisy online
and I’m competitive,” said Saab who confesses to being a “fan of adventure.”
Building
friendships, collecting memories
Back as adventure coaches
are Bogart the Explorer, Champ Lui Pio, and Jude Bacalso, who recounted that
guiding the Juan for Fun teams has given them the privilege of seeing young
adventurers foster and strengthen friendships, discover not only fascinating
places but also themselves, and reignite their passions for exploration.
“I
had an all-girl team last year. Not only that, but they were one of the
youngest teams I’ve ever coached. Seeing them finish the challenge with happy
and full hearts, their friendship ever stronger, and a new fiery passion to
explore reignited my own passions and has reminded me why I do what I do,”
shared funny man Bogart the Explorer, or Marco Ho in real life.
Champ recalled how the Juan
for Fun experience brought him closer to his team. “My first time as a coach was really memorable. My team didn’t win the
first prize, but they had an incredible time,” he shared. “What made it unforgettable is that I became
really close to my team. We actually stayed in contact even after the
competition and hang out occasionally.”
“Every
year, at the end of the whirlwind that is Juan for Fun, we gather at the
awarding ceremony and get goosebumps. Last year, my team has never been on an
airplane before landing in Manila for the start of the competition. And their second
flight was an international one, straight to Bangkok, Thailand!”
said Jude, who is back on her third coaching stint.
“They
came home winners, placing third. Where else can you see the transformative
powers of travel turn ingénues into citizens of the world? Yes, we cry at every
closing ceremony. But these are tears of pride, never regret,”
added Jude.
This year, the Cebu Pacific
Juan for Fun Challenge is encouraging thrill-seeking trios from different
universities across the country to take on the once-in-a-lifetime escapade to
some of the airline’s most exciting destinations. The winning team will be named the Ultimate
Backpackers, and will win Travel-All-You-Can passes to any domestic or
international (short-haul) destination, valid for one whole year, plus exciting
premium travel gear.
Don’t miss out on this
exciting adventure and join the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge
now! Find out how by visiting www.juanforfun.com.
For more details, follow Cebu Pacific’s official Facebook and Twitter
(@CebuPacificAir) pages.
