Travel coaches gear up for Cebu Pacific’s Juan for Fun

Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge Adventure Coaches during their briefing at Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu: (from left) Paolo Abrera, Gretchen Ho, Jude Bacalso, Bogart the Explorer and Luke Landrigan. They are all excited to help their respective teams through various challenges and cheer them on through social media.

Excitement is mounting as Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading airline, gets ready for the Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2014. Now on its third year, Juan for Fun promises a bigger, more adrenaline-pumping escapade as it brings five university teams on an all-expenses-paid trip to seven different destinations, not just in the country but also abroad, for nine straight days.  To help the teams on their quest, Cebu Pacific has tapped five noted personalities known for their love of travel, to play the role of Adventure Coaches. Volleyball star Gretchen Ho, Internet celebrity Bogart the Explorer, sportsman and TV host Paolo Abrera, champion surfer Luke Landrigan and travel writer Jude Bacalso will serve as mentors for each team during the course of the challenge. They will also stay in touch with their respective teams—as well as cheer for them—through social media.

For Coach Paolo, the Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge is a great way to introduce people to the possibilities of travel. “The challenge can show people that you don’t really need that much money to have fun and explore,” he said.

“Travel is one of the most enriching things that you can do to educate and make yourself a better person. It’s one of the best teachers we can have,” he added.

Coach Bogart added that the Juan for Fun is indeed an exciting opportunity to instill the love of travel among students everywhere. “I want these kids to love traveling and to share that love with their friends. When you go backpacking, you see the value of things that you need as opposed to things that you want,” he said.

“As the cliché goes, it’s not the destination, but the journey. And traveling to seven destinations for free? That’s already a prize in itself!”

Lessons on the road.  The Adventure Coaches also shared a few tips and pointers in advance for teams to have an even more enriching and memorable experience during the Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge.  “Don’t be afraid to ask” is Coach Luke’s advice to the student teams. “If you’re in a new place, the locals there will know the best places to go to and great deals that will make the trip more enjoyable,” he said.

 For Coach Gretchen, the most vital traits that the teams should have are understanding and patience. “I’ve been in sports for a very long time and I know what it takes to win. I’m very competitive but I’m a team player as well,” she said. “Communication is also very essential. Right at the very start, the teams should delegate their tasks and assign who’s in charge of what. It makes the team more solid and therefore, work together better.” Coach Jude added that each team should also be responsible travellers wherever they go. “It is important to respect the customs and traditions of the people that you meet. Get to know the locals and make new friends to broaden your perspectives,” she said.

Go on the ultimate adventure. The Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2014 was open to all university and college students who have an insatiable thirst for adventure and a knack for budget travel. To qualify, they had to form a team of three members and upload a video that answered the question “What’s your idea of a fun adventure?” to www.juanforfun.com. Teams will find out their destinations before the challenge kicks off on June 24, 2014, and they have until July 2, 2014 to have as many fun and exciting experiences and discoveries within a given travel allowance. To earn extra points and additional prizes, they must also complete the special fun challenges prepared by Cebu Pacific in each destination.

The trio with the most number of fun activities out of their given budget, and the highest standing in the Special Fun Challenges, will win the competition and score awesome prizes to go on even more exciting trips. Prizes include 12 round-trip tickets to any Cebu Pacific international or domestic destination of their choice, plus over Php150,000 worth of other exciting prizes such as Canon Powershot SX510HS cameras, Vaude Sapporo Carry-On Trolleys, Vaude Hogan Ultra-Light Tents and a whole lot more.

The Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2014 is co-presented by Jack ‘n Jill Magic Crackers, with the support of Vaude, Merrell, Canon and the Department of Tourism, and the endorsement of the Commission on Higher Education. Be a part of this exciting adventure and join the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge now! Follow the escapades of these adventure coaches and their teams on www.juanforfun.com. For more details, follow Cebu Pacific’s official Facebook and Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) pages.