It’s all systems go for SarBay Fest

By JUN RAMOS GUMASA, Sarangani (May 16, 2012) – A bigger and grander Sarangani Bay Festival awaits water sports enthusiasts, beach lovers, partygoers, tourists and locals alike as the biggest beach festival in Mindanao takes off Friday (May 18) and peaks with the sunset until sunrise party the next day. “This year’s SarBay is expected to be the grandest and hopefully the biggest in the country in terms of visitors and tourist arrivals,” said Larry Asparin, acting coordinator of Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotions Center. “Preparations have been done right after last year’s SarBay to address the gray areas specifically the venue, security, waste management and water supply,” Asparin said. The SarBay main venue this year is a three-hectare space between White Haven Resort and Rosal Beach Resort. It will host the events, stores, “tent city” and parking space. The Zumba Party has been replaced with a Beach Dance Marathon Party due to issues raised by a former proponent, sportswriter Lito delos Reyes. "As the co-chairman of the Sarangani Bay Festival 2012, we have acknowledged the concern of Lito de los Reyes about the Zumba Party,” Michelle Solon said in a statement. “There are Zumba Parties in the entire country such as the ones done in Boracay, Manila, Puerto Galera, Cebu, etc. We have taken note of his concern and passion for the Latin inspired dance. At such the Sarangani Bay Festival organizers have now changed the event to a Beach Dance Marathon Party to be enjoyed for free on May 19, 2012. I thank Lito de los Reyes for his deep concern, because it helps the Sarangani Bay Festival even become better and more successful," said Solon, who also chairs both the provincial tourism council and Region 12 tourism council. SarBay Fest kicks off with the 15-kilometer “Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” or swim-across-the-Bay from Maasim to Glan on May 18. It is the longest open ocean swimming competition in the Philippines and probably in Asia. Hobie cats will be in Gumasa with other water sports activities like skim boarding, Bombo Bancarera and the 1st Jetski Offshore Adventure. In addition, a new SarBay Fest activity is the paragliding in Maasim. The Sarangani Paragliding Club will organize a fun fly paragliding accuracy landing competition on May 18-20. The rest of the events and activities are: Smarts’ Run for the Environment, Beach Dance Marathon, Sarangani Swim Challenge, Sand Sculpture, Coastal Clean up, Scubasurero, Artificial Reef Deployment, Bay Fair, Health and Wellness, Sayaw Sarangan: Hataw sa Tag-araw, Beach Volleyball, Beach Football, Skim Boarding Clinic, Poi and Zip Clinic, Pinta sa Baybayon, Fire Dancing Exhibition, Bay Bodies, Summer Party at the Bay (with Beat Lab DJ’s), Bombo Radyo Bancarera and the all night beach party from sunset until sunrise. (Jun Ramos/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)