“The outdoors is where I find solace and strength.”

This is what Jake Ejercito had to say about his passion for exploring the great outdoors.

The 34-year-old actor has been chronicling his adventures on his social media accounts, giving his followers a glimpse of what nature has to offer.

In December 2023, Jake went on his first solo hike by traversing Japan’s Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails. Online guide Japan-guide.com describes Kumano Kodo (熊野古道, Kumano Kodō) as “a network of pilgrimage trails through the southern Kansai  region. The Kodo (‘old ways’) are a key part of the region's World Heritage  designation and have been in use for over 1000 years. They are the only pilgrimage routes besides the Camino de Santiago to be designated a World Heritage site.”

Jake took the Nakahechi Route and shared his experience in a post. “The immediate stark elevation gain and wet rocks made it tough to get acquainted with the trail, but mental clarity was found soon enough. Emptied the mind to have presence of mind. Saw not a single person on the route.”

“Spent the night at a trailside minshuku (bed and breakfast) run by a retired Japanese couple who called me ‘Emirio’ and kept saying I was a ‘crazy boy’ for choosing to do the trail solo in December,” he continued. 

That wasn’t enough to deter him from continuing his hike in the following days, even if he said his legs “were as good as gone” from all the walking and the solitude made his mind wander.

His love for the outdoors hasn’t dimmed either, with him going on more hikes, with the latest one being Scotland’s West Highland Way.

“6 days solo hiking the West Highland Way and Scotland pulled all the stops: 30km days, change in weather every 15 mins, a wild dip, midges— lotsa midges, wonderful strangers, even better sights,” he said. “Overall beautiful, painful, and tougher than I had expected, but l'd do it all again.”

READ: Jake Ejercito completes another half marathon: ‘Onto the next’

While his adventures have been good for his body and his mind, it has left him exposed to the elements, which can be damaging especially for someone in the entertainment industry who has to look his best 24/7. For this, Jake is particularly grateful for his partnership with SKINCELL Advanced Aesthetic Clinics for helping him deal with the impact of having an active outdoor lifestyle.

“Jake has been very disciplined in following the importance of skin protection,” Dr. Issa Cellona said of her celebrity client. “He understands the harsh effects of prolonged sun exposure and environmental stresses especially during his outdoor escapades. He advocates for the regular use of sunscreen. He also comes to the clinic often for his regular treatments.”

Jake has also been appreciative of the care he’s been receiving. “I go to SKINCELL because they are well-versed in both traditional and cutting-edge skin care practices. The clinic utilizes modern aesthetic machines in offering effective solutions for various skin concerns,” he explained, adding, “I feel safe and secure with them.”

With this, Jake has been able to balance his love for travel and adventure with self-care and a good skin regimen. “It is one where adventure co-exists with self-care, inspiring many to explore, enjoy, and take care of themselves in equal measure,” Jake concluded.