Paolo forms game plan as Juan for Fun coach

MANILA, Philippines - When traveling, Paolo Abrera loves going for a stroll because he believes it will lead one to unexpectedly spectacular views.

Paolo’s love for adventure motivates him to lead an active lifestyle.

Paolo Abrera has traveled to great places, especially when he hosted Gameplan, a long-running TV sports show, a few years back. “Travel was neither quite as easy nor as affordable then, as compared to now, but we found a way to get to so many places. My love for adventure began that way,” said Paolo.

A firm believer that travel is a great teacher, Paolo holds that going to different destinations is an education everyone should get. He counts Japan as among his favorite destinations, citing its unique culture, food and sense of aesthetic as among Japan’s many lures. “I’d like to think I’m an adventurous and curious traveler. I always explore places with an open mind, so it also makes me the kind of traveler who wants the best value for my travel budget. Luxuries are great, but the important thing is you get to your destination and have fun,” he added.

Now playing multiple roles as husband, father, TV host, athlete, travel enthusiast, blacksmith and environmentalist, Paolo is a well-rounded person. And part of this, he owes to traveling. Having embarked on several adventures, he has gained wisdom that is only achieved by seasoned travelers.

For this reason, Paolo was invited to be one of the adventure coaches of Cebu Pacific’s Juan for Fun Backpacking Challenge. He will mentor one of five university student teams going on all-expenses-paid trips to nine beautiful destinations in the country and abroad. The challenge kicks off on June 24 and the student teams will have until July 2 to have as many fun and exciting experiences and discoveries within a given travel allowance. “I was so excited when I was asked to be an adventure coach because it really reminded me of Gameplan. Every day of the week, we would wake up and plan where we would go, how we would get there. We just grab our backpacks and were open to anything — getting on a bus, getting in a plane, jumping off that plane. That’s what adventure is all about. It’s a real thrill to be a part of this,” he said.

Paolo said he looks forward to meeting his team, especially since he believes that any student who sent an entry in, already has that wanderlust, that hunger for adventure. “The backpacking challenge is a great way to introduce people to the possibilities of travel. You don’t really need that much to have fun. I’m hoping that more people do travel, become better people and enjoy more of the world,” Paolo said.

Follow #CoachPaolo in the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge by visiting www.juanforfun.com. Joining him as adventure coaches are volleyball player Gretchen Ho, Internet celebrity Bogart the Explorer, champion surfer Luke Landrigan and travel writer Jude Bacalso. Cheer for your favorite team and join the conversation on Cebu Pacific’s official Facebook and Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) pages by using the hashtag #juanforfun. 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.