Sarangani Serendipity

MANILA, Philippines - No less than the “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino has been smitten by this long stretch of beach tucked in the southern fringes of Mindanao. During a recent visit to Sarangani province, she discovered the largely unspoiled Gumasa beach in Glan town, a vast expanse of powdery white sand which has been dubbed by beach bums as the “Boracay of Mindanao,” albeit without the madding crowds.

This placid getaway sizzles this summer with the biggest sporting event and party in the south with the Sarangani Bay Festival set this weekend.

Fun and adventure fires off with the 15-kilometer Swim Across the Bay cross-channel team swim from Maasim to Gumasa. The three-hour relay is regarded among Asia’s longest and most extreme swim race which will see the toughest tankers in the Philippines churn their way to victory – and bragging rights.

There will also be shorter 200- to 400-meter Sarangani Swim Challenge at Gumasa, followed by beach volleyball and football tourneys, and skim boarding, poi and zip clinics.

Speed racers will pump up the adrenaline with a jet ski competition as they transform the waters into an aqua sports playground.

Beach bodies will be the canvasses on which artists will express themselves, and body beautiful takes on new meaning when the Pinta sa Baybayon body painting contest takes center stage. An inter-municipality sand sculpture competition will also be held on the beach.

Spicing up the afternoon is a Zumba beach party led by the Legendz, Gen. Santos City’s home-grown league of Zumba dance instructors.

The evening brightens up as fire dancing exhibitions provide a sizzling prelude as the Bay Bodies hopefuls strut their stuff on the ramp and body painters unveil their latest art works on the human canvas.

Beach fun at Sarbay Fest continues the next day with the Bancarera which will pit the fastest single fishing boat against each other, followed by the Mountain Bike Ultra 3-Men Challenge around Gumasa.

The extravaganza draws to a close with the Concert by the Bay and Splash in the Sky, and an all-night beach party featuring the sultry all-girl band General Luna who will rock the night away til the wee hours of the next day.

 â€œSarangani Bay Festival has become one of the country’s biggest beach events, which showcases the province’s natural wonders and adventure spots,” said Governor Miguel Dominguez, himself a watersports enthusiast.

He said that true to its tourist tag of “Sarangani: Your Adventure,” the province is ideal for adrenaline-pumping getaways which are unique in the area.

Tourists can dive or snorkel at the Lemlunay Resort in Maasim which boasts of rich marine life and great biodiversity just a few meters from shore. The town is a favorite site for aerosports with the growing popularity of paragliding, with exhibitions held in the scenic Maasim ridge which overlooks the bay.

Other nature-based recreational activities are river tubing at Maitum and snorkeling at Tuka Marine Park in Kiamba, which have become the favorites of its fighting Congressman Manny Pacquiao.

And just like its most prominent personality, Sarangani is the coup de grace of the south when it comes to adventure destinations.

For details, like Sarangani Bay Festival or Go Sarangani on Facebook or log on to www.sarbayfest.com.