By JOY R. SEVILLA
MAASIM, Sarangani (November 26, 2013) – The recently concluded 1st Sarangani Adventure Festival has reaped positive feedback not only from local but also from foreign participants.
This was bared by Taqna Sumajit of the Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotions Center (STIPC), adding that the expected number of participants more than doubled.
“We prepared a tarpaulin, where the participants have written their comments and messages and almost all of them wish to have the same event next year. We only expected 200 participants to come, pero umabot ng 578,” she said.
Sumajit said 165 of the 578 joined in paragliding, archery, motor trail, rock climbing, rappelling, downhill bike, and run trekking.
The adventure festival, organized by Sarangani Paragliding Club chaired by Ian Mar Tan, in coordination with STIPC, was held November 16 and 17 at SAFI Ranch 1 in Seguil, barangay Tinoto in Maasim.
Sumajit said Koreans, Taiwanese, Germans, French, British, Americans, and Indonesians witnessed and even participated in the event. Some of them were tourists who stayed in Lemlunay, Maasim.
“One of the objectives of the activity is to promote paragliding to both local and foreign enthusiasts. For the past three years, konti lang ang pumupuntang mga turista, hindi rin masyadong na-educate ang community,” Sumajit said.
She added that Randell Raymundo, a licensed paraglide pilot of the Philippine Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association (PPHGA) was there.
Raymundo has won several awards in paragliding in international competitions representing the Philippines.
In a phone interview, Raymundo said Sarangani is a perfect location and fly site for paragliding. He said the province passed all the requirements needed for the International Paraglide Accuracy Landing Competition which will be held next year.
“The 1st Adventure Festival is in fact a preparation for the International Paraglide Accuracy Landing Competition. Wala pang exact date but it will be held towards the end of next year or in the middle of the year,” he said.
Raymundo said they are expecting seven to 10 countries with a total of 50 participants to join in the international paraglide competition.
The winners in the 1st Sarangani Adventure Festival received a certificate and a medal.
“Hindi competition ang naging dating ng activity, but it’s more of fun, and that what’s important,” Sumajit said.
“The event shall be the show window of what Sarangani could offer to adventure-seeking tourist and tourism investors,” Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said.
One of the priorities under Sulong Sarangani campaign of the governor is on tourism. The Munato Festival will be from November 28 to December 6. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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