Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream to Explore the Philippines – Jec

Jec Zshornack shares his lifelong dream of exploring the Philippines, from the highest mountains to the deepest valleys, in the first episode of “Jec Episodes Philippine Loop: Overland Exploration,” now available on YouTube.

Starting their journey on March 10, 2024, Jec and his team of three overland rigs navigated through the Visayas and Mindanao, facing unprecedented challenges along the way. As they ventured into uncharted territories, they were relieved by the abundance of Shell gas stations throughout the country. From the famous Gigantes Island in Iloilo to Jose Rizal’s monument in Dapitan and the sights and sounds of Marawi, their rigs were consistently fueled with Shell V-Power Diesel.

Traveling primarily by day, the team occasionally had to push forward through the night. PIAA’s lighting systems on their 4×4 vehicles ensured well-lit paths, while DDPAI’s reliable dash cameras captured every moment without fail.

Sampling local cuisine was a highlight of the journey. The team enjoyed La Paz Batchoy noodles from Deco’s of Bacolod and authentic Chicken Inasal from Manokan Country.

As the journey progressed, local overlanders and adventurers joined in to support Jec’s mission. In Cebu, the team was welcomed by United Cebu Offroaders in Balamban. In Cagayan De Oro, Karrjackson and Team CDO 4×4 took them white water rafting and camping in Opol, Misamis Oriental. United Bukidnon Overland Expedition led them to the communal ranch in Impasug-Ong and overlanding in Malaybalay, offering a cool respite from the summer heat.

The Mindanao leg provided panoramic views from various elevations. The team visited the Tent City in Alamada, Cotabato, and trekked to the highest point of General Santos for a view of Sarangani Bay. In Davao, they explored Catigan Mountain Breeze, experiencing cold and rainy weather at an elevation of about a thousand meters above sea level. A visit to Marawi, a city recovering from conflict, was a poignant part of their journey.

Travel between islands was made possible by FastCat’s seamless network of Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) catamarans. Jec Episodes offers a discount code (FCJEC2024) for those who wish to experience FastCat’s ferry services.

These adventures are detailed in the first two episodes of this six-part cine-vlog series on Jec’s YouTube channel.

What’s next for Jec and his team? Their journey continues in Luzon, where they are better prepared with lessons learned from Visayas and Mindanao.

Follow Jec and his team on social media to witness the fulfillment of a lifelong dream of exploring the Philippines.