Who said there is no wind around Sarangani Bay? On the contrary there is enough wind! The big plus is the awesome limestone mountain terrain in Sarangani. SAFI Ranch in Maasim is located right after Siguel river. It a property made of mountains of hard rock and limestone. The awesome part of the place it has cliffs for paragliding and big flat land perfect for landing...
I got invited to see the sport. Initially I was seeing Ian Tan and their gang taking lessons with Buko Raymundo (President, Paragliding Association of the Philippines) and Jason Luengo. It looked tough for those training to be pilots. As they lifted their chutes, and begin working with the wind, you sense the adrenelin rush!
The group was kind enough to show me what its like. So we headed up the mountain and got ready to jump off the cliff. The moment we got the winds right, on a tandem, we ran and jumped off the mountain to the vast expanse of air.
That jump was so good, because the wind lifted us high above the ranges of Maasim and viewing the entire Sarangani Bay from the sky. It was a high- adrenalin, amazing experience! We flew for about 15 minutes that day.
If you are interested to paraglide, the introductory rate is P2,500 for tandem ride. Its definitely worth the try.
The opening ceremony brought about 500 runners to join the 3K and 5K fun run to Isla Jardin del Mar. Vice Governor Steve Solon opened the Festival welcoming fellow residents and tourists alike to the wonderful coastal areas of Sarangani Province.
The Tuberculosis Board (TB Board) also showed their commitment to make Sarangani TB free and were inducted in to the task. Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao who brought with him a tv actor friend, Paolo Contis, also expressed that the world has to see the beautiful beaches of Sarangani. Mayor Tata Yap also welcomes tourists to enjoy Glan.
Sarangani Bay Festival are known for their events. Yearly the highlights are the Swim Across the Bay, Beach Volleyball, Beach Football, Ultimate Frisbee, Skim boarding among others. Contenders from Visayas and Mindanao come and join these activities.
Beach Footvolley also played in Sarangani bay fest.
Skimboarding Competition
Other activities include the Sand Sculpture, Sayaw sa Tag-Araw, Cheerdance by the Bay and the Bay Fair. Tourists were getting henna tattoos, enjoying the beach, and the food available at the Bayfair.
If you like to party, this event would not be the Biggest Beach Festival without its nightly entertainment. If you missed it this year, please block your May 2012 for Sarangani Bayfest!
Winners of the Sarangani Bay Bodies
Rocksteddy giving its spectators every bit of FUN.
Swee Chiow also visited Mayor Enrique "Yoyong" Yap and shared his vision. The Mayor himself is one adventurous spirit and he gave his support to this new challenge. This Friendship Kayak will commemorate the 40 years also of the Philippine- Singapore ties. So together with Swee Chiow, is Erwin Glenn "Buzzy" Budlong, a Filipino Kayak enthusiast from Bohol.
Khoo Swee Chiow has conquered Mt. Everest twice, has reached both the North and South Pole, has swam accross the Malacca Straight, and now we wish him luck for his new attempt on making the first record of kayaking the Philippines from Mindanao to Luzon. He began his kayak adventure last August 31, 2009, which happens to be Mayor Yoyong's birthday. They started from Glan and should have their first major stop in Davao City.
If you wish to catch the adventure you may join the friendshipkayak at facebook, or check out their website www.friendshipkayak.com
To celebrate the treasures of Sarangani Bay, it is best to capture and share to the world the wonderful marine life and developing underwater coral reef of Maasim. Any scuba diving enthusiast who has an open-water license can participate. Come and see the next best diving destination in the Philippines.
WE DEFINITELY CANT WAIT FOR THE SARANGANI BAY FEST 2009. It is dated on May 28-30. More details of this biggest summer event in Mindanao to come! Get ready to join the extreme adventure activities --
1. Swim Across The Bay
2. Sarangani Bike Adventure
3. Underwater Photography Competition
4. Scuba Fest
5. Lumba Bugsay
6. Beach Volleyball
7. Beach Football
8. Sand Sculpture
9. Skim Boarding Clinic
10. Jet Ski and Wakeboarding clinic
11. Club DJ Party
12. San Miguel Beach Party
This is just the beginning... we invite you to start booking for this upcoming event!
SEE YOU AT THE SARANGANI BAY FEST - MAY28-30-2009
