Pleasure & educational trip

The Philippines is a beautiful and amazing country. There are a lot of must-see travel destinations, especially the “beaten tracks” — exciting and adventure-filled places other than Baguio, Batangas, Cebu or Davao.

These local spots are what the travel show, Kool Trip: Backpackers Edition, seeks to promote. The 30-minute show will take everyone to various tourist destinations in the country that showcase breathtaking scenic attractions. It also aims to unveil the rich and historical heritage of each place, to discover its people and their way of living, and to enjoy the native cuisine. One of its recent features was an episode on Coron, Palawan (site of the famous underwater cathedral) that was guest-directed by Albert Martinez. The show also featured places like Albay, Bicol; Caliraya and Cavinti in Laguna; Fort Ilocandia in Ilocos Norte; Pagudpod in Ilocos Sur; Baler, Quezon; and Sagada with its famous hanging coffins. Next in line are Oriental Mindoro, Cagayan Valley, Mindanao and the Visayas Region.

The show airs from 6:30 to 7 a.m. on ABS-CBN Sports + Action (formerly Studio 23). It is produced by ABS-CBN Sports + Action and Kool Trip Productions in cooperation with AMT Recreation Hauz and Multimedia Services Co. Kool Trip is hosted by Rep. Albee Benitez (chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development and scion of the Benitez family which owns Philippine Women’s University), model/entrepreneur Marjorie Cornillez and Jayson Gainza who used to host another travel show, Trip na Trip, on ABS-CBN.

The show’s emphasis is on affordable travel. “Aside from showcasing the destinations, we want to show people that you can enjoy the Philippines for less than what you would usually spend on a trip,” says Rep. Benitez, who’s from Negros Occidental. “Traveling isn’t just for the well-to-do. In fact, in other places like Europe, napaka-famous ng backpacking. People do it all the time. In Kool Trip: Backpackers Edition, we want to unearth undiscovered places for travelers with limited means and budget. We also want to revisit and share updates on popular tourist destinations.”

Jayson enjoyed his former show so much — he really enjoyed going around and seeing different sights in the Philippines — that he welcomed Kool Trip when the project was offered to him. “Napakasaya ko nga po na kahit paano, hindi ako nawawalan ng trabaho sa hosting lalo sa ganitong klaseng show,” says the actor, host and comedian. “Masaya din kasi gawin ang travel show dahil iba’t ibang lugar ang napupuntahan mo, ang dami mong nakikilala lalo na ‘yung mga taga-doon mismo sa lugar kasi ‘pag nakilala mo ‘yung mga tao, lalo mong makikilala ‘yung lugar.”

While Jayson admits that he enjoys appearing on sitcoms, hosting a travel show like Kool Trip presents a different challenge. Not only does he have to be fit (going around the country is physically challenging), hosting is also different from acting or doing comedy. “Sinusuwerte lang po siguro kaya may mga trabaho. Sobrang thankful ako na kahit sa hosting hindi rin talaga ako nababakante,” says Jayson.

Marjorie will complete the hosting triumvirate of Kool Trip by focusing on what makes each travel destination unique, especially in terms of the native cuisine. Each place in the Philippines is known for a certain type of cuisine (for example, Bulacan is known for sweets), my city, Borongan in Eastern Samar is known for its lechon.

Stay glued to Kool Trip while discovering the magnificent beauty of the Philippines.