There was a time when beach volleyball was so cool to watch. Just like in the movie Top Gun where Tom Cruise aka Maverick beat The Iceman or Val Kilmer. But there is always a way to channel your inner volleyball goddess like supermodels Gabrielle Reece or Giselle Bunchen by heading over to Boracay for the Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit.
On its 13th year, the event featured a total of 68 teams from 44 colleges and universities across the nation. It all started with the regional eliminations at various locations like at SM Mall of Asia, Tagum Beach Volleydrome at Rotary Park and Parkmall in Mandaue City, and Cebu. Eventually 18 teams from 16 schools made it to the semis and final rounds.
Teams from the Visayas region shone the brightest. The winners included Ariel Carumba and Loujei Tipgos of University of San Jose-Recoletos for the men’s title while Erika Camille Verano and Apple Saraum of University of Southern Philippines Foundation took the women’s crown winning a cash prize of P100,000 per team.
Perhaps what made this year’s event more exciting were the celebrity games with Iza Calzado and Alfred Vargas, Miss Bikini Philippines-World 2008 Yen Lopena, and Ariel Atendido as they outplayed TV personalities Sam Oh, Polo Ravales and Kaye Alipio. Other celebrities who took part in the beach volley celebrity matches were TV star Rhian Ramos, Sole Survivor JC Tiuseco, actor Paolo Contis, Kiko Rustia and Ariel Atendido and Survivor Philippines castaways Jace Flores, Nikki Dacullo, and Rob Sy.
Simultaneously, it was also the launch of Nestea Fit. This low-calorie variant mix is loaded with the fat-burning ingredient L-Carnitine and comes in apple flavor.
“Nestea Fit is good for the body and promotes a healthy lifestyle,” says Ronald Chuacokiong, Nestlé brand activation executive. “From the elimination rounds to the finals, we included on-site activities like photo opportunities, selling of tumblers and even Capoiera classes to encourage people to have fun and become more active.”
Taking the hotness level a notch higher were a series of sizzling activities that included a hot fashion show by Boracay-based designer PJ Arañador showcasing his latest island wear at Plazoleta, which was followed by a party with beat-thumping music provided by Driven Manila’s DJ Miko Syquia.
The victory party of Nestea Fit Beach Volley Natinal Circuit was held at Paraiso Bar with 6cyclemind performing mostly covers and Sandwich with Raimund Marasigan dancing like Robbie Williams with his red Wayfarers and doing a cover of E-Heads’ Magasin. But the night belonged to Driven Manila DJ David Ardiente and those infectious grooves. Winners danced until the morning light.
So these beach volleyball champs didn’t only look good at the net, they look better in real-life. And that sounds like a total win-win.
* * *
For information, log on to www.nestea.com.ph.