Three graduating college students from Davao City won the Juan For Fun (JFF) 2017 Backpacking Challenge, each taking home a Cebu Pacific Travel All-You-Can pass for unlimited local and international short-haul destinations for one year, plus pocket money from co-presenters GetGo and Union Bank. The three students—18-year-old Gloria Andrea Mendoza; and 19-year-olds Christian Dominic Ang and Chyn Ira Crisostomo, comprised Team Juanton in the annual event presented by Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading carrier.
Now on its sixth year, the Juan For Fun Backpacking Challenge brought teams of young adventurers on an epic, seven-day fun race across the country, with P40,000 in pocket money, Boreas backpacks, and Oppo camera phones. This year’s JFF run had the final five teams locked in over 300 activities, done in over 25 locations, in just seven days—the most number of activities registered in Juan for Fun history.
Team Juanton beat four other teams—Team Phun of Bacolod City; Team Malackai of Baguio City; Team Patsada of Cagayan de Oro and Team Barbie from Metro Manila, with an adventure travel itinerary that covered Dumaguete and Siquijor—destinations never before visited by JFF contestants. They ventured to the waters with island-hopping and scuba diving before proceeding to Cebu and then to Legazpi. They also took home minor prizes for the Chippy Kada Challenge and Smart Challenge. The Davaoeño team is also the youngest among all the competitors.
Throughout the seven day-adventure travel challenge, the top five JFF 2017 sought to experience the Philippines’ vibrant cultural tapestry as seen in the regions’ different modes of transportation, specialty dishes, and local practices, transporting their followers on social media with enthralling images.
“The Philippines is a beautiful country and many Filipinos have not had the opportunity to explore their own country. Juan For Fun is our way of advocating travel within our own country—especially for young Filipinos. There is much to see and do in the country and this one of the reasons why we continue to expand and offer flights to destinations in the Philippines. We want to make air travel easy, affordable and accessible for everyJuan,” said Charo Logarta-Lagamon, Cebu Pacific Air corporate communications director, as she congratulated the finalists.
Team Patsada of Cagayan de Oro came in second, with friendship nurtured on the road, after visiting Coron, Cebu, Bacolod, and Davao. Team members Ron, Rene, and James are now intent to see more of the Philippines by travelling. In third place was Team Barbie, with members Marlou, Adonis, and Carl posting photos and videos frolicking along the shore of Puerto Princesa. Donning their signature straw hats, the team paddled their way to Siargao and Boracay before heading back to Manila. On the other hand, Team Phun of Bacolod City and Team Malackai of Baguio City shared fourth place. TeamPhun members Bryan, Alfed, and Josh boosted their team work as they made their way from Cebu to Davao and Camiguin. They wowed their followers with Amsterdam-like views, creative lighting effects on a field of roses, trick eye exhibits and natural wonders, showing travelers they don’t need to wander far to see delightful views. The boys of Team Malackai—Kahel, Ian, and John—were pumped up with their “great outdoors” itinerary. After winning the Coaches’ Choice Award, they went off to Bohol, Cebu, Surigao and Surigao del Sur to find the best experience whether in the air, on land, or at sea.
This year’s travel content expert coaches also rallied the teams with their travel tips and backpacker challenges. YouTube Vlogger Wil Dasovich, Becoming Filipino advocate Kyle Jennermann, Beautiful Destination Social Media Strategist Ren Sapitan, international blogger of JustOnewayTIcket.com Sabrina Iovino, and returning coach and travel writer Jude Bacalso were onboard, urging the five finalists to have the most epic ride with Cebu Pacific.
The Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2017 has Boreas Gear as the official travel gear and Oppo camera phone as the official camera. The challenge is also endorsed by the Department of Tourism.
Find out the best way to travel across the Philippines with Cebu Pacific. Retrace the adventures of the Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2017 teams by visiting www.facebook.com/cebupacificjff and stay updated on the airline’s new and exciting programs by following Cebu Pacific’s official Facebook and Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) pages.
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