Sports fest showcases Zambales

MANILA, Philippines - The unique mix of adventure, nature and culture come into play as the province of Zambales holds the Multi-Sports Festival on Nov. 9-11 in the resort town of Candelaria.

The three-day sports tourism event kicks off on Nov. 9 with a fun run, taekwondo, chess, swimming and boxing competitions at the Zambales Sports Center in Iba.

A grueling 36-kilometer kayak marathon paddles off on Nov. 10 from the Uacon Cove, with a turn-around point in Masinloc town, offering a visual spectacle of idyllic islands and marine sanctuaries.

The race will be followed by an 18-km relay featuring an open water swim to Potipot Island, a 5-km kayak dash to the boardwalk of Uacon Lake, a 10-km trail bike around the lake, and a 2-km beach run, together with an off-road trail bike race.

The kayak marathon is the second leg of the Philippine Kayaking Series 2012, the longest-running paddling tournament in the country which seeks to promote the recreational sport of kayaking and eco-tourism in the countryside.

Adding color to the event is the Laruk Laruk Fiesta which celebrates the palay harvest season, continuing the long tradition of Candelarians. The townsfolk meet early in the evening to make laruk laruk (rice crisps) and tinupak until dawn the following day.

The revival of this age-old tradition is spearheaded by the Uacon Cove Resorts & Residents Association (UCCRA), a group of local tourism stakeholders.

Complementing the barrio fiesta atmosphere are dances from the Aeta tribes of Botolan, performances from Mango Festival dancers, indigenous games, and folk dance tilts.

Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said that the event is part of the provincial government’s thrust to promote Zambales as a sports tourism capital in the country. In the past, the province has hosted a dragon boat race, a 4x4 off-road challenge, boxing and triathlon competitions, and the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association meet.

The provincial government will host the Governor’s Night on Nov. 10, a cultural evening with the acclaimed Pundaquit Virtuosi, the resident musical ensemble of Casa San Miguel in San Antonio.

The festival draws to a close on Nov. 11 with a kayaking clinic, a 5-km novice race and kayak eco-touring, bird-watching, and mangrove planting.