Locals rule Sarbay Bancarera

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 16, 2015) – For once a year, the pristine waters of Gumasa becomes a race circuit for bancas (small boats) as Bombo Radyo and the provincial government of Sarangani host the Bancarera of Sarbay Festival.

In this year’s Bancarera: SarBay Edition, 48 banca racers from different regions across Mindanao tried to outpace each other to prove who is the fastest among them.

These racers came from the areas of Sta. Maria, Davao Del Sur; Davao Occidental; Glan, Sarangani; Maasim, Sarangani; Parang, Maguindanao; and Toril, Davao City.

Four buoys were placed in a semi-rectangular position in the sea about 500 meters apart to serve as the checkpoints for the race.

Although the guides were placed in that way, the sea circuit was traversed circularly three times by the racers in order for them to maximize the water drifts and glides of their bancas.

It took 12 elimination rounds before the final three was derived.

Some of the bancas malfunctioned during the race, leaving their sailors upset while floating aimlessly in the calm sea of Gumasa, waiting to be rescued either by the Philippine Coast Guard or by their fellow racers.

Those who were not able to rev up their engines before the race started were able to get a second chance from race officials of Bombo Radyo. Those who still failed in the second run were disqualified.

The race, especially during the last legs of the elimination round, was intense. People were cheering hard every time there is a dead heat between banca racers.

Crowd’s shrieks grew even louder when one racer overtakes another.

Jaire Jeopil of Davao Occidental described how intense the Bancarera: SarBay 2015 edition was.

“This Bancarera in Sarangani is very lively. There are a lot of people who witnessed it and we really enjoyed the race,” Jeopil said.

Yet at the end of the race, it was Federico Canoy of Barangay Colon, Maasim who was the fastest in this year’s Bancarera: SarBay 2015, finishing the race with a time of 3:39:08.

In the finals, Canoy raced closely against Sam Bastida of Sta. Maria, Davao Del Sur (3:45:54). Contender Joviro Veresraiz of Colon, Maasim had an engine malfunction during the second lap of their race.

Canoy grabbed the P40,000 cash prize while Bastida and Veresraiz earned P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.

Both Bombo Radyo Mindanao Area Head Ricky Collado and Bombo Radyo Gensan Station Manager Jonathan Macailing graced the Bancarera: SarBay 2015 Edition.

They thanked the crowd for witnessing the Bancarera: SarBay 2015 Edition and invited everyone to join again in the Bancarera this coming Tuna Festival of General Santos in September. Web updates powered by SMART. (Ian John Lagare for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Frisbee fever hits Sarbay

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 15, 2015) - The first-ever Ultimate Frisbee Competition kicks off at Sarbay’s opening day at White Haven Resort Friday, May 15. Ten teams from Socsksargen and Davao regions participated in the event. The semi-finals and championship games are set for Saturday, May 16. Web updates powered by SMART. (Kim Windell Tiblani/Provincial Governor's Office)

Fast and furious Bancarera racers at Sarbay

GUMASA, Sarangani (15 May 2015) - Federico Canoy of Maasim (center); Sam Bastida of Davao del Sur (right); and Joviro Veresraiz of Maasim (left) race in the finals of Bombo Radyo's Bancarera: SarBay 2015 Edition Friday, May 15, ousting the other 45 banca racers from different regions of Mindanao. Canoy crossed the finish line first with an official time of 3:39:08 closely followed by Bastida (3:45:08). Web updates powered by SMART. (Russell Delvo for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarbay promotes wellness

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 15, 2015) – Sarbay Festival is heating up with zumba as the health and wellness campaign of Sarbay 2015 attended by over a hundred persons Friday, May 15. Web updates powered by SMART. (Joylyn Ty for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarbay presents Pinta sa Baybayon

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 15 2015) - A painter from General Santos City slowly crafts his piece at Pinta sa Baybayon contest during the Sarbay Festival at Glan Friday, May 15. Web updates powered by SMART. (Joylyn Ty for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Koronadal swimmers win bigtime

GLAN, Sarangani (May 15, 2015) – Swim-Across-the-Bay was the kick-off event for Sarbay Festival on May 15-16 in Gumasa. The Koronadal City swim team won the swim relay with the record-breaking time of 2:54:35 hours covering 15 kilometers from Barangay Kamanga, Maasim to Barangay Tango, Glan. Web updates powered by SMART. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Girl power shines at Sarbay

GLAN, Sarangani (May 15, 2015) - The only all-girls team who conquered the waves from Barangay Kamanga, Maasim to Tango, Glan in the Swim-Across-the-Bay event was last in the race but they proved that girl power can take a 15-km race to the finish line. Web updates powered by SMART. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarbay swim closely raced

GLAN, Sarangani (May 15, 2015) - The first swimmers who would cross the finish line sprint to shore Friday, May 15, as their teams beat eight other teams in the 15-km Swim-Across-the-Bay event of the annual Sarbay Festival. Ten teams joined the swim relay: Tinoto Submarines, DMMA Swim Team 1, DMMA Swim Team 2, Kamanga Team, Kabacan Team, Koronadal City Swim Team, Lady Pipay, Polomolok Team A, Polomolok Team B, and Davao Tankers. Web updates powered by SMART. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarbay swim relay begins

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 15, 2015) - Swimming teams race in crossing Sarangani Bay’s mouth from Maasim to Glan Friday, May 15. Each team is composed of five members in a relay for 15 kilometers. Web updates powered by SMART. (Russell Delvo for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

10 teams swim across Sarangani Bay

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 15, 2015) - At 5:45am Friday, May 15, ten swimming teams from different areas in Mindanao race in crossing Sarangani Bay, from Kamanga Agro-Industrial Eco-zone, Maasim to Barangay Tango, Glan -- a distance of 15 km. This event is annually-slated activity of the Sarbay Festival called the Swim-Across-the-Bay. Web updates powered by SMART. (Cocoy Sexcion for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pinoy Aquaman lands in historic site

GLAN, Sarangani (May 11, 2015) - Bohol-based lawyer Ingemar Macarine, also known as the Pinoy Aquaman, poses at Sumbang Point with the team of media and rescuers who escorted his swim from Maasim to Glan Sunday, May 10. Sumbang Point is a place in Glan where Spanish navigator Ruy Lopez de Villalobos sailed in 1543 in search for provisions according to historical accounts. Who would ever believe historic Sarangani Bay (mentioned in Antonio Pigafetta’s epic journal of Magellan’s expedition), the deepest bay in the Philippines, can be conquered with human prowess? (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pinoy Aquaman conquers Sarangani Bay

GLAN, Sarangani (May 11, 2015) – Atty. Ingemar Macarine, also known as the Pinoy Aquaman, swims from Maasim to Glan in the first-ever solo Sarangani Bay crossing Sunday, May 10. Macarine, a pioneer in solo channel swimming in the Philippines, is the first Filipino to swim from Alcatraz Island Penitentiary to San Francisco City, California, USA (2.7 km in 1 hour on April 7, 2014). Before his Sarangani Bay swim, the latest in his 10 long-distance swimming feats was the Santa Fe, Bantayan Island to San Remigio, Mainland Cebu swim with a distance of 19.99 km in 7 hours and 45 minutes last April 12, 2015. The swim was to promote climate change awareness and tourism. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bohol lawyer makes 1st solo swim of Sarangani Bay

SARANGANI BAY (May 11, 2015) – Bohol-based lawyer Ingemar Macarine battles strong currents Sunday, May 10, in the first-ever solo swim of Sarangani Bay from Maasim to Sumbang Point (background). Macarine covered a distance of 12.95 kilometers in 5:55 hours. It was one of his most difficult swims. Strong currents kept pulling him off course so he had to change direction more than 16 times. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bohol lawyer makes 1st solo swim of Sarangani Bay

By MELODY COSEP and BEVERLY PAOYON
GLAN, Sarangani (May 11, 2015) – A Bohol-based lawyer fought strong current...s Sunday (May 10) in the first-ever solo swim of Sarangani Bay from Maasim to Sumbang Point.

Atty. Ingemar Macarine covered a distance of 12.95 kilometers in 5:55 hours. He said it was one of his most difficult swims.

Strong currents kept pulling him off course so he had to change direction more than 16 times.
“Nakaluha ko ganina kay na reach nako ang Sumbang Point kay sa swim may possibility nga dili ma reach ang target,” Macarine said.

Sumbang Point is a place in Glan where Spanish navigator Ruy Lopez de Villalobos sailed in 1543 in search for provisions according to historical accounts.

“Na feel daw niya na maski unsa nya langoy kusog daw kayo ang sulog,” said Tres Besana, videographer of Sarangani Information Office.

The average speed of Macarine, a pioneer in solo channel swimming in the Philippines, was 2.65 kph with a brief stop every 30 minutes for energy drink or feeding. After covering 6.79 kilometers in three hours, his speed increased to 2.40 kph.

He constantly used freestyle and had no difficulty with his swimming techniques. He was calm and seemed just like practicing throughout the course.

Despite finishing the swim at Sumbang Point instead of the original route in barangay Tango, a few kilometers away, Macarine still considers this swim a successful one because his intention was really to swim from Maasim to any point in Glan.

Atty. Macarine started the swim by reading the Bible and by praying.While swimming, he said, he kept repeating Psalm 23 in his mind, and the thought of his wife and kids waiting for him to finish at the other side of the bay.He was escorted by two boats. A small one carrying his navigator and a bigger boat loaded with mediamen, rescue team and staff of the Provincial Capitol.

His swim was meant to promote tourism in Sarangani Bay and for clean seas and beaches.
“The swim this morning was my own little way of contributing to the Sarbay tourism of your province,” he said. “Thank you to the provincial government especially to Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Ma’am Michelle Solon for sponsoring the swim. Without your support, this event would not have been made possible.”

Sarangani Bay’s strong currents have been bugging swimmers who join Sarbay Festival’s Swim-Across-the-Bay Competition each year.

The fastest time logged is 3:36:46 hours achieved in 2014. This swim relay of five members is one of the most awaited events of Sarbay to be held on May 15-16.

The Swim-across-the-Bay is a brainchild of former Sarangani agriculture chief and marine biologist Giuseppe Chew.“When I made my suggestion to the floor when we had our first meeting to conduct the Sarangani Bay Festival, everyone was laughing at me,” Chew said. “The suggestion was almost killed.”

Chew said the Swim-across-the-Bay “turned out to be the best activity then and highly successful.”
He said it is “the longest open ocean swimming competition in the Philippines and probably in Asia.”
“Who would ever believe historic Sarangani Bay (mentioned in Antonio Pigafetta’s epic journal of Magellan’s expedition), the deepest bay in the Philippines, can be conquered with human prowess?” Chew said.

Michelle Solon, chair of Sarangani Provincial Tourism Council and Region XII Tourism Council hope that the solo swim Of Atty. Macarine would bring more attention to Sarbay. “Atty. Macarine has his advocacies. He is advocating for clean seas. We in Sarangani have the same objective,” Solon said.

In 2006, then Board Member Rommel Tomas Falgui authored a resolution at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan making Sarangani Bay Festival a tool for environmental awareness.

Governor Solon echoed the advocacy of Macarine and noted that Sarangani Bay is a protected seascape through Presidential Decree 756 declared in 1996.

“We are happy that the advocacy of Atty. Macarine is also for clean seas, clean waters, clean beaches and the protection of the environment,” the governor added.

A Surigaonon by birth, Atty. Macarine is now based in Tubigon, Bohol. He is currently the Election Officer of the Municipality of Tubigon. He has finished at least four marathons and four triathlons here and abroad.
Atty. Macarine is the first Filipino to swim from Alcatraz Island Penitentiary to San Francisco City, California, USA (2.7km in 1hour on April 7, 2014).

Before his Sarangani Bay swim, the latest in his 10 long-distance swimming feats was the Santa Fe, Bantayan Island to San Remigio, Mainland Cebu swim with a distance of 19.99 km in 7 hours and 45 minutes last April 12, 2015. The swim was to promote climate change awareness and tourism in San Remigio.

Atty. Macarine follows the Marathon Swimming Federation Rules (such as no floating aids of whatever kind, regular swim suits only, and no physical contact with another human being or with the boats).
Among his future plans is a solo swim of the 10km-San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Bay Bridge on May 22, 2015. (Melody Cosep and Beverly Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

HAPPENING: Solo swim across Sarangani Bay

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (May 10, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (left) and his wife Michelle Lopez Solon (right) brief the press Saturday, May 9, on the swim across Sarangani Bay of Atty. Ingemar Macarine (center). Macarine, also known as The Pinoy Aquaman, started his swim 5am from Kamanga, Maasim Sunday, May 10, that would take him to Tango, Glan covering a distance of about 15 kilometers. His swim serves as the opening event of Sarbay Fest (May 15-16 in Gumasa, Glan) and for environment protection and awareness. Atty. Macarine is the first Filipino to swim from Alcatraz Island Penitentiary to San Francisco City, California, USA (2.7km in 1hour) on April 7, 2014. His latest feat was being the first man to swim from Santa Fe, Bantayan Island to San Remigio, Mainland Cebu with a distance of 19.99km in 7hours and 45minutes last April 12, 2015 to promote climate change awareness and tourism in San Remigio. Atty. Macarine follows the Marathon Swimming Federation Rules (such as no floating aids of whatever kind, regular swim suits only, and no physical contact with another human being or with the boats). A Surigaonon by birth, Atty. Macarine is now based in Tubigon, Bohol. He is currently the Election Officer of the Municipality of Tubigon. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Binuyugan presents Ms. Maitum 2015

MAITUM, Sarangani (May 6, 2015) - Kristine delos Reyes (center), 20, is crowned Ms. Maitum 2015 Tuesday, May 5, as the town celebrates its 56th Foundation Anniversary and 16th Binuyugan Festival. The rest are 1st runner up Jonica Mae Calo (2nd from right), 18; 2nd runner-up Jessica Andaya (2nd from left), 19; Kim Mariel Son (extreme right), 16; and April Kristine Movilla (extreme left), 17. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Culture of peace observed in remote village

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (May 6, 2015) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon greets residents of Barangay Kinam on April 22 as villagers in the former rebel-influenced barangay celebrate their 43rd Foundation Anniversary with the theme “Celebrating Success, Through Developing Culture of Peace and Unity.” (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

DA gives P1.5M to rubber growers

MAITUM, Sarangani (May 6, 2015) - Mayor Pepito Catimbang (5th from right) leads the ceremonial turnover of 12,000 rubber seedlings worth P1.5 million to Maitum Rubber Growers Association (MARUGA) from the Department of Agriculture during the Cultural Showcase and Agri-Trade Fair of the 56th Foundation Anniversary and 16th Binuyugan Festival Tuesday, May 5. Also in photo are Renato Fantone (center) of Municipal Agriculturist’s Office, Ernesto Quirit (4th from left), president of MARUGA and some municipal councilors and barangay captains. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

DTI runs info campaigns on EU GSP +

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (April 22, 2015) – Under its Doing Business with Free Trade Areas Program, the Department of Trade and Industry-Sarangani Provincial Office conducts an information session on the European Union’s Generalized Scheme Preference Plus (EU GSP+) for micro entrepreneurs, exporting companies, public officials and civil society organizations of Sarangani on April 16. The EU GSP+ allows beneficiary countries to export 6,274 products to any of the 28 members of the EU bloc at zero tariffs for a period of 10 years. The Philippines, the only beneficiary country of the scheme in Southeast Asia, qualified for the EU GSP+ in December last year. Before gaining the EU GSP+ status, the country was a beneficiary of the regular GSP program which only covered 6,209 products, from which 2,442 products were subject to zero duty and the rest subject to lower tariffs.

Exporters and other interest entrepreneurs can also visit online resources. For more information on the scheme, these can be accessed from http://exporthelp.europa.eu and http://www.dti.gov.ph/dti/index.php/resources. (DTI Sarangani for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Governor Solon affirms support to education program

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (May 6, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon speaks at the First Parents Teachers Association Convention 2015 on April 21. Governor Solon affirmed his 100 percent support to the educational program in Sarangani thru Sulong Karunungan under his program, Sulong Sarangani, with private partners. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)