Fun Explorers claim 4th RORO race win

CATICLAN, Philippines – Team Fun Explorers composed of surfers JP and Aston Sarmiento, with Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Housemate Nicole Uysiuseng, notched their fourth straight win in fifth Ready, Set, RORO DBP Interisland Race.

Team Fun Explorers started out first, but was overtaken by the rest of the teams in the paraw ride. Showing true spirit, the Explorers rallied with their kayak and raced to finish in first place at Mt. Luho.

“Our paraw was so slow, and we were overtaken so many times, but we didn’t give up. Our end goal was to reach the pit stop,” said JP Sarmiento.

“Now that we’ve achieved four-peat, we mean to stay on top until the finals,” said Aston Sarmiento. The island paradise of Boracay was the site of the Ready, Set, RORO DBP Interisland Race, made possible by Asian Marine, Montenegro Shipping Lines, Super Shuttle Ferry, the Manila Broadcasting Company, and San Miguel Corporation.

The Caticlan port was the starting point for this leg of the race, where teams had to ride the paraw from Caticlan to Station 2. Then, racers had to paddle kayaks to three buoys to retrieve the money they will use to pay entrance at Mt. Luho, the highest peak in Boracay, which served as their pit stop at the end of the race.

Earlier, in Leg 4 in San Carlos, Negros Occidental, racers had to run to the gymnasium, remove peanuts manually from their shells, and ride the Trisikad to the People’s Park where they had to learn the basic steps of the Pintaflores Dance. Then, they raced to the city hall, which served as the pit stop.

Team Wave Catchers arrived at the pit stop first while team Heat Blasters finished last. But due to the other groups’ minor violations, team Fun Explorers moved up to first place and Team Flipflops, with Dino Gilladoga, Ace Cu and PBB housemate Cass Ponti, got eliminated.

Team Surf Riders, with engaged couple Joaqui Tupas and Jana Estrevilla and teen star Rodjun Cruz were the last to reach the pit stop, and were the 4th team eliminated._”We had a lot of trouble with the kayak, and we tipped over many times because we couldn’t keep our balance,” reported Rodjun Cruz.

“In the end, we know we did our best, and we were happy we were able to uphold the values we started the race with, as well as our faith in God,” said Joaqui Cruz.

“The wedding is still on,” said Jana Estrevilla. “We’re thankful for the many friends we made on this race, and they’re all invited to the wedding.”

Oriental Mindoro is the next stop for the Ready, Set, RORO DBP Interisland Race. Stay tuned for race updates, and vote for your favorite teams at www.dbprororace2009.com.