Lanao del Norte flexes its muscles

The provincial government of Lanao del Norte seems set on making their province the mecca of sports in the southern part of the Philippines.

Newly reelected Gov. Khalid Dimaporo has already hosted PBA games, the Philippine Olympic festival, the Palarong Pambansa, beach volleyball tournaments and archery competitions. He is also staging another Philippine National Motocross Championship in December. The 64-hectare complex surrounding the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod also has tremendous potential to be the permanent home of national sports associations.

The complex alone is formidable in itself. The gymnasium, designed by Francisco Manosa, is across the street from the hotel. The track oval is new, and the weights and training equipment have even seasoned professional athletes salivating. On top of that, there are discussions for a man-made lake on the drawing board in addition to the competition swimming pool already in the complex.

“We really want to showcase the province as a peaceful, beautiful place to visit, and the best way to create the habit of coming over is to hold sporting events,” explains Dimaporo, whose parents are a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, falling in love despite being from families on opposite sides of the political fence during the Marcos years.

The next big event on the calendar for Lanao del Norte is Maskulino Pilipino 2010, the national pro and amateur bodybuilding competition organized by the Philippine Bodybuilding Sports Federation (PBBSF). It will be held at the MCC gymnasium on Nov. 20, and will feature some of the most outstanding Filipino bodybuilders from around the world.

“We are very grateful to Gov. Dimaporo for hosting this event,” says organizer Ringo Borlain. “We hope Lanao del Norte will be the regular venue for Maskulino. It is rare that a bodybuilding event of this size is held in Mindanao.”

Among those who have confirmed participation are NAC World Championships entry and past Great Bodies Classic heavyweight champion Albert Cuesta, SEA Games gold medalist Michael Borenaga, 2008 Ensayo Bodybuilding Classic Elite champion Jonathan Casimiro, Southeast Asian flyweight runner-up Dondon Cortuna, FAME finalist Sam Solon and well-known female bodybuilders like Mr. and Ms. Universe finalist Michelle Cruz. Other participants will be flying in from Europe and other parts of the globe to enter. Amateur bodybuilders have already expressed interest in joining. Lanao de Norte is a 20-minute ferry ride and 10-minute car ride from Ozamis, and a two- to three-hour car ride from Cagayan de Oro.

“We are very excited for all the Maskulino Pilipino participants to see Lanao del Norte for the first time,” adds Dimaporo, whose youngest sister was a point guard for De La Salle in the UAAP women’s basketball tournament. “I’m sure you will see what a great place it is for sporting events.”

This early, there are already discussions to hold the Tribal Games in Tubod, under the Sports for All program of the Philippine Olympic Committee. URCC and other sports have been invited to stage events in this part of Mindanao for the first time. Visitors will also be treated to the trademark sights, such as Tinagop Falls, Kalilangan Springs and Mighty Cave Park. Lanao del Norte also hosts the Alimango Festival, Sagayan Festival, Tulingan Festival, Sarimanok festival and Sagingan Festival, which are starting to gain attention from international tour groups.

“This will be a great showcase event for us and for the province also,” Borlain adds. “We have invited no less than the best Pinoy bodybuilders you will find anywhere, and they are all excited not just to compete with their brawn, but to explore the province called the land of beauty and bounty.”

Now they can add land of peace and hospitality, too.

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All those interested to participate in Maskulino Pilipino 2010 may contact Ringo Borlain through ringo.borlain@ yahoo.com or 0917-5876602.