“I left my secrets in SarBay”

By Ian John M. Lagare

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 20, 2014) - Summer is nearly over. Most of us are already sighing, thinking that we are heading again to our regular routines--our busy days, perhaps. Good thing, I had a stop-over before going to that hectic, erratic destination.

#sarbayfest2014 is the name. And this is my escape from reality.

Located 55 km. away from General Santos City (my hometown), the silent, idyllic shores of Gumasa, Glan becomes the venue of SarBay --one of the biggest summer beach parties in the Philippines.

SarBay, before reaching its glory today, is just a miniscule idea of some humble people with ambitious dreams. The event was conceived in 2006, when Migs Dominguez was governor of Sarangani.

Formerly known as Sarangani Bay Festival, SarBay has its own travails to tell. Before becoming the prided summer party, SarBay has undergone a series of trials-and-errors: meeting expectations, branding contemplation, financial outsourcing, you name it. Certainly, the popularity of SarBay is no less than but because of hardwork, not by some of kind of fluke.

Years passed by, and SarBay has gained its momentum. Its rapport has been cunningly spreading from place to place thru traditional media, social media and word of mouth. We just woke up one day, realizing that SarBay is everbody’s rant already. 

And I'm not exaggerating things when I say that SarBay has gone international. Not anymore. Year by year, the increasing flow of foreign tourists going to the fest is ubiquitous. Nonetheless, SarBay is now a brand of an ideal summer getaway.

In 2013, the tourism council of Sarangani estimated that 75,000 people have gathered and partied in SarBay. And that's not a small figure. 

This year, together with some friends, I had my systems ready (importantly my liver) as we would experience again the ecstasy of SarBay. And yes, #sarbayfest2014 didn't disappointment me and 100,000 others.

Affixed in the resorts of Coco Beach, Rosal, and White Haven of Gumasa, #sarbayfest2014 truly has the specs of a spectacular beach party and summer adventure. Sexy curves of shores, flawless white sands, tantalizing blue waters--these are the perfect aesthetics why, indeed, SarBay is the royal crown of the South.

We arrived in Gumasa by evening already. By that time, crowds were already cheering as fine young men and women compete for the SarBay 2014's Bay Bodies search.

Nevertheless, we had to rest first as we were waiting for the most anticipated SarBay foam party sponsored by Smart Communications. As the search comes to an end, people were already gathering in the main event area, excited for the wild and wet party that was coming ahead.

I've seen familiar faces there—high school classmates, old flames, common friends--they were all there. And it was like SarBay has been the rendezvous of instant reunions for long separated souls.

The night has sunk in. The first beat came like an alarm--a fusion that invited all people that it is time to loosen themselves up in the wave of the party. 

Local performers and DJs from Magic 89.9 Manila dropped their high-class beats, creating a contagious rave to the crowd. The party is sure wild and wet, as thousands had been drenched already by the frothing foam machine.

The clock ticked past 12 midnight but the party has no sign of stopping. It is the early hours of the second day of #sarbayfest2014 but people were still wild and awake, like the night has became day. 

It was past 4am when the foam party ended, but nonetheless, people were asking for more. They have to call it a night, but certainly, SarBay was not over yet.

I had barely slept because I still have to witness at 6am the first SarBay Fest Triathlon for the Environment by the provincial government of Sarangani, co-sponsored by Smart Communications. Various teams coming from different places in Mindanao participated in the race, including our very own Tri-Generals.

The competition is a 51.1-km. race from Gumasa to Barangay Baliton, then back. A long stretch of swimming, cycling, and running tested the heart and endurance of the triathletes. One of the most known participants, Rhea Jamisola, a resident of GenSan and an employee of Sarangani Capitol, said that the course was really hard, but definitely exciting. She also thanked GenSan City Mayor Ronnel Rivera for supporting the Tri-Generals.

In the aftermath of the race, three outstanding competitors outlasted other participants. Peter Villocino, 24, (Team Davao Tri SOS); Junito Mahinay, 20, (Team Tagum Tri-Buddies); and Jimboy Limboran, 18, (Team Gensan Tri-Generals) were hailed as the first, second, and third winners, respectively.

But aside from the triathlon race, #sarbayfest2014 also hosted other simultaneous events such as the 2nd SarBay JetSki Competition, beach volleyball, sand sculpture, and Zumba sessions. And the #ilovecleansarbay clean-up drive.

Noticeably, #sarbayfest2014 has complete amenities for everyone's comfort. Portalets, food court, strong Wi-fi connection (for selfies, of course), and a tent city that provided a suitable resting place for the thousands of visitors. Police visibility was also present there to remind us that while we are in SarBay, we are safe.

Night came again and we all know that SarBay is nearing its closure. Luckily, the festival knows how to say goodbye properly--a rock solid goodbye. 

Before the start of the end, flashes of fireworks lit up the sky and waters of Gumasa. It was a 15-minute fireworks display that painted smiles on our faces. And oh, it was a prelude for something overwhelming to come.

Philippine's topnotch rock band Kamikazee took the stage of the last night of #sarbayfest2014, which had pumped everyone's vein into an all-out party. As the band gained the hype of the crowd, Jay, the lead vocalist, had one sulking word on his mouth:

"Bakit ngayon nyo lang kami inimbitahan?" 

Right after the concert by Kamikazee, local DJs continued to electrify the party as they played their finest beats. People still jammed, but many had disintegrated from the crowd and just enjoyed SarBay with friends and some new-found companies. Some went swimming and some just boozed their night away.

And as for me? Never mind. What happens in SarBay, stays in SarBay. I left my secrets in SarBay.

For those who have never been to SarBay, trust me when I tell you this: "You may have been to Boracay and Samal Island or other beaches, but you have never experienced Sarbay.”

Reality hits me back once again. But I'll make sure that I'll be setting my foot again to SarBay next year. (Ian John M. Lagare of GENSAN CPIO for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)