Top 10 Finalists of Wrangler Philippines' True Wanderer 2016

True Wanderer is an Asia-Pacific-wide competition that aims to create a community of adventurers by engaging Filipino riders and empowering them in their journeys. It celebrates the bold souls who always seek unlimited possibilities through new places and experiences. Now on its 2nd year, iconic American denim brand Wrangler takes its signature denim wear to the Philippines' wide, open roads with an exciting digital competition.

Last year, 10 finalists were chosen out of the 485 submitted entries and the thrill-seekers took to the roads and shared their stories during their all-expense paid ride-outs that took place last May 1-5 2015. La Union, Baguio, Bataan, Polilio Island, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, General and South Cotabato were among the many places the ten finalists chose to explore. Each finalist had to share their journeys on the open road through the True Wanderer website, www.wranglertruewanderer.com. Heeding the contest’s call for brave souls, Marvin Geronimo took home the KTM Duke 390, together with PHP 100,000 worth of Wrangler products.

This 2016, Wrangler once again holds the True Wanderer competition for their continued search for biking enthusiasts who are out to fulfill their passion on the open road and share what it is they love about travelling off-the-beaten paths that will help showcase what it is both locals and tourists would be keen on coming back to in the Philippines.

Wrangler goes bigger and better this 2016 with the support of the Department of Tourism, alongside this year’s True Wanderer ambassador, Jericho Rosales. It will be the "journey-of-a-lifetime" of 10 finalists who are passionate foodies, shutterbugs, adventure-seekers, naturists and back-packers. The 10 selected finalists will go on a five-day all-expense paid ride-out to either Cebu, Bohol or Palawan, and blog about their journey in Wrangler’s website www.wrangler-ap.com/ph. One grand winner will be awarded the title of "True Wanderer" and ride away with a Royal Enfield Chrome Black 500 cc and PHP 100,000 worth of Wrangler merchandise.

During the recent Wrangler event, 10 brave souls were chosen for Wrangler's True Wanderer 2016. They will be going on their dream motorbike rides in Cebu, Bohol and Palawan. And they are:

Haide Bocboc, 26, Davao City

Passion: Adventure-Seeker
Ride-Out Destination: Cebu

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

My passion is to sojourn wherever my bike takes me and I embrace it. To feel the connection to the people, to the land, the wind, the sun, the stars, the moon; it may sound romantic, but it’s true. Moreover, the visceral experience of motion, of moving through time on a motorcycle is unbelievably amazing. I take every opportunity to travel, to journey to new places, for I want to see the beauty that is in my motherland. Meeting new friends, realizing the value of each and everyone, the contour of each and every highway, the wind on my face, my perpetual companions; the sun, stars, moon -- I am forever in love. To travel with a motor bike at break neck speeds, I am in love all the more. Riding a motorcycle has been my passion and it has always been my dream to travel all over the Philippines. Winning Wrangler’s True Wanderer would be the best opportunity to fulfill this passion and at the same time promote our beautiful country to the world.

Kara Santos, 35, Quezon City

Passion: Adventure-Seeker
Ride-Out Destination: Cebu

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

I am an adventure-seeker. I'm not satisfied with simply sightseeing and moving on. I want to experience something unique in a destination through activities, immerse myself in the culture of the places, try food you can only find there, and somehow make a difference in the lives of the people I visit. By sharing my experiences and photos through my blog (www.traveling-up.com), I think I've been able to inspire people to travel around the Philippines. It's always heartwarming to hear back from readers how something I wrote inspired them to visit a place or to hear from locals that their business (homestays, restaurants, etc.) improved after I visited and promoted their place. I want to show the world the beauty of the Philippines. True Wanderer would be a great opportunity to do that to a wider audience.

Dundee Adriatico, 32, Makati City

Passion: Adventure-Seeker
Ride-Out Destination: Palawan

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

My passion is basically to see and to enjoy the beauty of this world while not forgetting the things that truly matter like family and friendship. I believe True Wanderer would enable me travel and see the beauty of this world, of this country. At the same time, I believe it would enable me to take a step back and reflect and appreciate the things that really matter like family and friendship.

Maki Aganon, 27, Taytay, Rizal

Passion: Naturist
Ride-Out Destination: Bohol

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

I was given a task that evolved to become a pure passion for bikes, specifically on custom motorcycles, a growing community of builders and riders. My passion is to lead a cause, to unite all custom biker communities from all over the country, recognize the industry shapers and the rich history of Philippine custom motorcycle scene; taking initiative to collaborate and highlight local talents from all over the country. Lastly, inspiring people to adapt all other values imbued in the custom culture. With True Wanderer, it would validate all efforts beyond our cause. With such recognition, these initiatives will flourish as my life grows with it. True Wanderer would be a gasoline to the flame deep within me, to inspire and recognize more all for the community we call family.

Gabriel Casuga, 31, Baguio City

Passion: Naturist
Ride-Out Destination: Palawan

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

As I enter this contest, my passion is now to be able to explore other aspects of tourism that our country can offer. That is to let our kababayans as well as the world know that there is more than our famous tourist spots. There is more to the barrios. There is more to explore. The whole Philippines is the last frontier.

Joal Perocillo, 33, Pasig City

Passion: Shutterbug
Ride-Out Destination: Cebu

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

Travel and photography is my passion. With True Wanderer I will be able to do both and the best thing in life is doing what you love and everything else will follow.

Arthur Fuentes, 42, Quezon City

Passion: Adventure-Seeker
Ride-Out Destination: Palawan

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

I want to ride to new destinations and True Wanderer will help me achieve this.

Mark Janiola, 24, Bukidnon

Passion: Naturist
Ride-Out Destination: Cebu

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

My passion is naturist. To fulfill my passion with True Wanderer, I must carry and take it in my heart as a true responsibility, to share to other people, not just the wonders and beauty of nature but also its importance and significance in our lives. With the right wisdom, I could be an effective advocate that can be able to help open the mind, heart and soul of people that neglect the environment. It is our responsibility to protect, conserve and rehabilitate our nature/environment so that we may still all enjoy it. Its natural resources which give us life like the air we breathe from the forest/plants, water we drink from watersheds, diverse sources of food from fruits, to the fishes in the ocean and other natural mineral resources that help build and our modern world.

Arnel Cabading, 20, Quezon City

Passion: Naturist
Ride-Out Destination: Palawan

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

My passion is riding with nature through different roads and I can fulfill this passion with True Wanderer by not being afraid to explore and discover new things about its wonders and taking risks that will allow me to feel powerful and proactive. I make things happen rather than waiting for it to happen to me.

Jerome Cabales, 24, Southern Leyte

Passion: Adventure-Seeker
Ride-Out Destination: Cebu

What is your passion and how can you fulfill this passion with True Wanderer?

My Ultimate Passion is Riding and seeking for new adventure with a heart!