More Fun For Juans

And so the challenge has begun! The Juan For Fun Backpacker Challenge, that is! 

We've mentioned this new contest by Cebu Pacific in an entry before when the teams were still being assembled but now, 5 teams have been chosen to embark on an all-expense paid journey to 6 local destinations in the Philippines. Wow, all-expense paid?! Count The Pink Tarha in! If we were in the Philippines, we would've joined the fun! Ooops, we're no longer at the 17-23 age range and we're not students so uh, I doubt we would get in. Haha! 

The send-off party!

Anyway, the teams are comprised of very able students who can go around the Philippines and do the tasks and challenges ahead of them. The teams are: Team Sun Broadband, Team Crimson, Team Awesome, Team Lemixian, and Team Seven. 

The first destinations is… can you guess? Manila, of course! 

The Philippines' national capital region is 633.3 square kilometers with with over 13 million people. The challenge is to guess the one word with 4 pictures as clues (4 Pics 1 Word online game anyone?) 

Boracay in Aklan: a must-see destination

The second destination is Kalibo in the province of Aklan. The teams were challenged to pina weaving, an age-old tradition which has been recently revived in the past 20 years. Team Seven, composed of Cyryll Juvan Macas, Mark Cominic Pat, and Irish Gayle Cajigas of Bukidnon State University, takes home the pineapple! 

Pina weaving winners Team Seven

Picturesque Davao is the third destination. Crocodile Park, one of the most famous tourist spots in Davao, took the teams into several tasks like eating, peeling, and running! Team Awesome composed of Cebuanos Windom Lim, Leander Dan Aldemita, and Shemaiah Xyza Baja of University of San Carlos - Cebu, wins this one. 

To keep up with the teams and their race around the Philippines, visit JUAN FOR FUN and the Cebu Pacific Air Facebook page. It's also a good way to discover interesting places in the Philippines which OFWs like us can visit when we go home for our vacation in the homeland. ~ Sundrenched

*This entry is sponsored by Cebu Pacific Air. All opinions are the writer's own.

Philippine Destinations for All Occasions

For those looking for ways to experience the Philippines’ best beach destinations, it is time to plan an exciting vacation on board Cebu Pacific Air (CEB). The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, CEB is the key to a refreshing, sun-drenched vacation by the sea. 

The Philippines’ unique marine treasures and festive islands offer a lot of diving wonders, picture-perfect summer hotspots and exotic seascapes at their breathtaking best. The trick, as they say, is in knowing where to look. 

Where to go for Diving 

For those who can’t wait to slip into their wetsuits and pick the best place to go underwater, CEB has thrice daily flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa in Palawan, which offers a lot of magnificent dive sites that not too many visitors have had the chance to explore. These include the White Beach and the Red Cliff that is home to the most diverse marine life including manta rays, sharks, dugong, and the rare whale shark. 

CEB also flies four times weekly to San Jose in Mindoro Occidental, gateway to Apo Reef, the world’s largest atoll reef next to the Great Barrier Reef. Apo Reef is home to 385 species of colorful marine fishes, grey reef and thresher sharks, marine turtles, endangered sea cows, dolphins, sea birds, manta rays, clown fish, and a large variety of marine life.

Apo Reef: magnificence under water

Another Palawan treasure is Busuanga, the gateway to Coron Island where CEB flies to twice daily. It is famous for its wildlife sanctuary and twelve historic shipwreck diving sites that surround it. The twelve ships sunk during the Japanese war in 1944 and have become the island’s premiere tourist spot. It is also known for its twin lagoons, hot springs and the seven Siete Picados islets which are perfect for island hopping. 

Where to go for Fun 

Everyone can’t seem to get enough of Boracay’s world-famous beach, with thousands of tourists on board CEB’s 13 times daily flights to the Caticlan Airport year-in and year-out. But aside from its perfect sunsets and the exhilarating party scene, this top beach destination offers fun and adventure with its all-terrain vehicle rides, outrigger sailing, kite surfing and parasailing. 

Northern Philippines also has Pagudpud to offer to beach enthusiasts, which is now renowned for its waves that are perfect for surfing, and winds that are perfect for kite surfers. Pagudpud can be reached by local and foreign tourists through CEB’s daily flights to Laoag in Ilocos Norte. Several adventure-lovers also swear by their sand boarding experiences at the Paoay sand dunes in Laoag.

The scenic way to Pagudpud

Where to go for Romance 

Located in the Samal group of islands off the coast of Davao, is the famously scenic Pearl Farm Beach Resort. A tranquil and picturesque tropical paradise, this quiet retreat is perfect for an intimate wedding affair or romantic getaway with its secluded and relaxing surroundings. Hop off any of CEB’s six times daily flights to Davao and hop on a ferry to Samal to witness this luxuriant backdrop of sun, sand and surf.

The blues as far as your eyes can see.

*****

Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates, don't forget to join the 100 Lucky Juans contest of Cebu Pacific in their Facebook page! You might just be the lucky Juan! ;) Details here.