Soaring High and Feel the Freedom

Make your holiday season memorable; try paragliding adventure sport a fastest growing type of foot-launched flying at Maasim Sarangani Province. Before 2014 ends try to stretch your muscles, conquer your fear, awaken the inner thrill seeker in you and fly like a bird, make the year extra extraordinary and full of fun, this is what my friend Biboy and my dear May Li did, like me they are also an outdoor enthusiast who loves to seek for adventure. 

All set and done, despite of the typhoon that hits our country we are still blessed with sunny weather here at the south. Together with my fiancée and biboy we travel all the way from General Santos to Maasim, Sarangani Province. For those who will commute just tell the driver to stop at SAFI Shipyard and wait for the staff of Sarangani Paraglide team to get you at the fly site. 

After 30 minutes of travel we arrived at the fly site; we are then transported by two 4x4 vehicles a Toyota Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi Delica, where you can experience and enjoy the bumpy ride going to the top of the cliff, another great adventure before the main event. ^_^ 

I am surprised with the improvements when we reached the top, it was fully developed compared last year December my first paragliding adventure. New amenities has been added like the new TENT CITY where you can rent a tent and stay overnight for only 100 pesos, but if you bring your own, then you’ll just pay 50 pesos for the place. The view at the top is wonderful, it is an overview of Maasim Sarangani, and the best place for star gazing at night. Just make sure to bring your own jacket because it will be surely cold at night.

Hey meet glider, he’s a friendly monkey guarding the place.

What a pleasant weather we have, the sky and wind was perfect for takeoff. The paragliding staff while unloading the needed equipment and safety gears.

Here are the basic components of paragliding gears to get started.

Paraglider Wing Canopy, Safety Helmets, Harness, Stirrup/ Speed Bar, Carabiners and Radio

If you have sensitive skin you may also bring sunblock for sun ultraviolet protection.

Paragliding needs patience, because we need to consider the wind speed. Flying at the thermic site at strong wind sometimes causes turbulence. With that said, you can bring your own hammock while waiting for the right time to takeoff.

Taking our time to take pictures and enjoying the nice view while waiting for the perfect wind.

Hahaha I’m trying to lift the canopy, it is really hard to do it without proper training. 

It’s time for takeoff, before flying the pilot gives a short briefing on what to do. The instructions are clear you need to run run and more run even if your feet are no longer touching the ground, just wait for the pilot signal that you’re now ready to take a sit.

Now feel the whizzing sound of the air, and enjoy the top view of the mountains. 

Paragliding has no age limit, as long as you have the strength and courage then go for it. Most people are afraid of heights, and that fear itself will make you lose your confidence, that’s the reason why some people are hook up with this kind of sports. The great reward they received for themselves is self-esteem, because when you’re flying you leave for the moment.

Meet Steve, a 62 years old paragliding enthusiast, Steve is came from England and got into this sport for 20 years.

And tsaran! Now let’s meet Paige and Chai, Page is 6 years old and Chai is 5 years old, they are both hot blooded and do not afraid of heights. I remembered Paige saying “I don’t want to land, I want to be here forever” hahaha how cute they are. Upon takeoff there mom is making sure that all harness and carbiner are well secured.

During takeoff, Buko her pilot is gently running going forward so that it will not be difficult for chai.

Sarangani Paraglide now offers schooling and pilot trainings, Jason assisted by Sir Buko on his training session. During the training you will be taught on basic ground handling, kiting and many more.

For inquiry you may visit there Sarangani Paraglide Facebook page


http://www.facebook.com/sarangani.paraglide


Contact Numbers:

09228071961
09333736871
09173270113

Paragliding Price: P3,000.00

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Team Bundol 4th ECO Trek

Started by a group of neighborhood friends, and an outdoor enthusiast based in Poblacion Alabel, Sarangani Province a group name TEAM BUNDOL was born. BUNDOL was originated from the Hiligaynon term for “slow” or “awkward” later on, as the group grows in number and has been renowned by the society BUNDOL is now an acronym for Backpacker United for the Defense of Life. Since the group started way back on the year 2011 they had organized various activities that support education by providing school supplies to schools located in the remote area of Sarangani Province. And now it became an annual activity called ECO TREK, partnered with local organizations and other mountaineering group who shares the same advocacy.

The following are the objectives of ECO Trek, as stated by Sir Ariel Lalisan President of Team Bundol on his interview with Yadu Karu.

ECO TREK Objectives:

a) To promote responsible mountaineering while discovering potential eco- tourism attractions in the province;
b) To initiate various actions for environmental conservation and protection;
c) To support education by delivering books and school supplies to schools in far flung barangays and sitios; and 
d) To inspire other mountaineering organizations to do similar efforts.

The said activity is now on its 4th year, last November 28-29, 2014 ECO Trek was held at Sitio Fallel, Kiamba, Sarangani Province. Mountaineers from different groups and places around Mindanao gathered together to extend their support for the team. We assembled at the ECPC Environmental Conservation and Protection Center Building located at Sarangani Provincial Capitol.

During registration at ECPC, we are accommodated by the members of the group.

It’s already 9 in the morning behind schedule when we depart from Provincial Capitol to Kiamba, Sarangani Province. I have never experience attending in an organize event who follows the itinerary schedule. Based on experience it is really difficult to do so, because sometimes there are circumstances that we need to deal first.

Wew! “Huli man at magaling, makakahabol din” it is lunch time already when we arrived at Barangay Tamadang our jump-off point to Falel. The group decided to have their lunch first before continuing the trek, to gain strength before the two hour assault to Purok Falel.

1pm when we started our trek, for the welcome we need to cross the river, you have to be very extra careful because the current was strong especially when it rains.

We are also task to carry school supplies and tree sibling needed for reforestation one of the main objectives of ECO Trek. And here’s my share. ^_^

Hahaha feel so tired that I need to carry a stick. :p Word of advice make sure that you are physically fit when going for an outdoor adventure. Jog at least 30mins a day for two weeks, this will give you enough stamina to go on.

At last! Before it gets dark we arrived at Falel Elementary School that serves us our Campsite. We fetch our tent and rest to catch our breath. We also prepare for the next activity.

Purok Falel has a tradition where they will put an unfortunate new born child in a hanging coffin that died during the labor. Because they believe that the soul of the unfortunate who have not eaten any food and crawl on the surface will go directly to heaven. A culture that has been practiced and passed to them century ago. I wasn't able to capture a nice picture because the coffin is unrecognizable and already rotten.

On our way to hanging coffin, it is a three minutes trek from the campsite.

After visiting the infamous hanging coffin, here comes the main purpose of ECO Trek. We assembled the kids to give school supplies and organized small games to entertain them. A hot soup for a cold and tiring afternoon is also prepared by TEAM Bundol to serve a hungry stomach.

At the end of the day, the activity was successfully held, reforestation, distribution of school supplies and feeding program. Thanks so much to TEAM Bundol and to all the participants who support the activity. It was indeed simple but the happiness it brought to the young kids is priceless. 

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Hangover SarBay Fest 2014

Once again Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 proves that it is indeed the biggest beach party in Mindanao. Almost 100k guest from different places traveled just to experience the awesome event. This year, they introduced three new events to make SarBay festival worth visiting, the following event was SarBay Triathlon for the Environment, the Paddle Board Clinic and the Sarbay Jet Ski Competition. 

I’ve been attending SarBay fest for a number of times already, this time I noticed the well organized parking area, the tent city/village which is established away from the shores and the bigger chill out area.

This biggest beach party was a one heck of an event and a summer getaway, so I and the rest of the gangs spend the days like there is no tomorrow.  We had party overnight, drink all you can and laugh out loud.

“Pain” from 12th Summit Magic Group entertains us with his magic tricks.

Scenic view of beautiful fined white sand cove beach in Sarangani Bay.

Huge number of guest comming from different places joined and witnessed the fun brought by SarBay fest.

Jet Ski are prepared and arranged for the competition.

Beach party will not be completed unless there is a Sand Sculpture competition.

Not only the place but the sunset also put a good show for the picturesque view.

And at night before the party started, make sure you have yourself ink with henna tattoos offered by various tattoo artist.

The most awaited and highlight in the first day of SarBay fest the summer party at the bay Foam Party! And let's dance babolbat! :D

On the last day of the event, the grand fireworks display will amuse the guest before the main band Kamikazee play. The view was breath-taking and fascinating.

Cool direction signage you have their SarBay organizers.  ^_^

Sarangani Bay Festival is the very best way to conclude my summer vacation; together with my jolly and good friends it leaves a lot of wonderful memories and sometimes out-and-out craziness. With their company it makes me want to come back again next year. Thanks so much KWOC and the rest of the gangs! And to my friend Edward hope you enjoyed your summer vacation before you set sail again.

Before the SarBay ends group photos will take action first. 

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