Have flip-flops, will travel

By Irene C. Perez
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LIKE a pair of flip-flops, photography and travel always go together. It’s a match that makes us crazy.

We stay up late to book promo fares online, line up in airline offices if Plan A fails, plan itinerary and wardrobe changes, invest in cameras and gizmos, take a gazillion photos and upload them to Facebook, Multiply, blogs, ad infinitum – for all to see that we have been there, eaten these, seen those.

Cebu Pacific feeds your passion and lets you make the most out of your travel itch by launching the Wandering Juan Travel Journal Photo Contest – an online competition where you can showcase your best shots of your favorite travel destinations.

In Amorita

“Wandering Juan” is the travel-savvy, pack-and-go tourist. He’s a smart and sensible traveler who checks out travel reviews online even before buying a ticket. And oh, he takes lots of photos and is often seen wearing tsinelas – a staple footwear that’s comfy and casual.

The web-based photo contest was recently launched at Amorita Resort in Bohol.

Amorita is a luxury resort in Panglao, Bohol. It boasts of ocean-view villas, an infinity pool, a sun deck, good food and, for those of us who get jitters when offline for long hours, reliable WiFi.

The resort is perched atop a cliff and gives you a calming view of Alona Beach which has fine, white sand; clear waters that sparkle when hit by sunlight; and a soothing vibe that can only be found in not-so-busy beaches.

‘Tsinelas’ shoots

There are three categories for the Wandering Juan online photo contest, and all require a pair of tsinelas in the picture.

Sights. Landmarks, scenery and views featuring a pair of tsinelas. Write a caption of no more than six sentences.

People. Interesting individuals, locals, prominent personalities, kids – any characters you encounter during your trip. Don’t forget to incorporate the tsinelas. Include a short description of the person and, perhaps, a quote. Provide name and occupation. Limit is six sentences max.

Travelogue. For those who can’t just have one photo. Go click-happy and make a photo essay consisting of five photographs, using the tsinelas as a focal point of the story. Each photo should have a one-sentence caption.

Prizes. For newbies, here’s some inspiration: prizes include trips to Singapore; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; and Bangkok, Thailand. Now there’s putting the travel lust to good use.

“We chose tsinelas as an inspiration because it’s very Pinoy. It’s something we always wear during travels,” said RG Orense, manager for corporate communications. “It symbolizes a very down-to-earth and carefree mood.”

To join, purchase Cebu Pacific tickets and register online at www.wanderingjuan.com. Take pictures from your destination until October 31. Upload your picks to the Wandering Juan website.

Photos must be at least 2MB in size, and please, no digital enhancement of any sort.

Entries must be original and not have previously appeared on print or online. Items will be judged according to creativity (20 percent); uniqueness of destination (20 percent), message/story/caption (40 percent); and overall impact (20 percent). Visit the website for complete requirements.

Multiple entries are allowed so you can showcase your terrific shots online!

“This is a good time to be a traveler and learn more about the world and our places in it, given all the affordable options and unique services that make travel dreams possible and more meaningful,” said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution

If you want your pics printed, Cebu Pacific also offers the Fun Prints service operated by Mozcom.

There’s a comforting thought if you have a hard copy of your digital files. You could have it framed or mounted to make sure they last long, with every photo having a story of its own.