FIFTEEN COLLEGE STUDENTS, grouped into five teams of three from across the country, are set to compete for a life-changing travel experience in Cebu Pacific’s Juan for Fun Backpackers Challenge 2016, which begins tomorrow, June 23. The teams faced the media with their coaches for the first time today, in a short program at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City, highlighted by the very first challenge: the Juander Games.
Now in its fifth year and considered the biggest so far, the challenge runs for seven days, sending participants to the country’s top destinations to try new experiences and learn about Philippine culture.
What makes this year the grandest is that the teams get to choose their own destinations, says Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific (CEB) Vice President for Marketing and Distribution.
The Prize
The team that completes the most fun activities in its chosen places and achieves the challenge goals wins the grand prize: a one-year travel-all-you-can pass to local destinations, for free. The winner will be announced on June 29, when the teams return to Manila after exploring various Cebu Pacific destinations on a budget of only P35,000.
Iyog said she is very optimistic about the results. After five years of giving select young people the chance to travel the Philippines, she added, it’s fulfilling to see how these students come back with a brighter perspective. “As you look at them now, they are bright, and will definitely comeback brighter,” Iyog said.
Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Distribution at Cebu Pacific, said these young participants will return with a brighter perspective in life.
The Adventure Coaches
“Cebu Pacific has tapped celebrity travel enthusiasts as Adventure Coaches to guide and provide advice to the teams,” the airline said. The list includes Saab Magalona, Robi Domingo, Champ Lui Pio, Bogart the Explorer, and travel writer Jude Bacalao.
“Throughout the challenge, these celebrities will stay in touch and cheer for their respective teams through social media.”
The Finalists
The Juan for Fun Backpackers Challenge 2016 finalists during the Juander Games at the launch of the competition at the Grand Ballroom, Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on June 22.
Bacolod is represented by #JFFJUANTeamPH: Glenn Layola, Audrey Ramos, and John Ray Blance of La Salle Bacolod, who are with Coach Robi.
From Tuguegarao, Brendan Tangan, Linus Pagulayan, and Cherson Bariuan of St. Paul University Philippines make up #JFFTeamPablo, joined by Coach Saab.
Engineering students from De La Salle University, Marie Tuason, Karlo Carranza, and Samantha Rice, are #JFFTeamPura, with Coach Bogart the Explorer as their adventure coach.
Patricia Quintero, April Baldovino, and Gian Nicdao of the University of the Philippines-Manila are #JFFTeamTAG, under Coach Champ.
#JFFTeamWork is made up of Serge Calumpong of Ateneo de Davao, April Nacion of the University of Southeastern Philippines, and Jaysson Presores of the University of Mindanao. They are partnered with adventure coach and fellow Bisaya Jude.
This year’s challenge has Boreas Gear as the official travel gear, Merrell as the official footwear, and GoPro as the official camera. It is also supported by Wenger and Dan’s, and endorsed by the Department of Tourism and the Commission on Higher Education.
The teams go all out in the first challenge, the Juander Games, where they get to choose their destinations.
The participants receive their P35,000 travel budget.
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