ABW March 2017 -1

MARCH 2017 

15th PUNTA FUEGO REGATTA 

5th CEBU LIFEGUARD RESCUE CHALLENGE 

SUBIC TO BORACAY RACE 

2017 PKA KITEBOARDING TOUR 

2017 HOBIE CHALLENGE 

INT’L RECOGNITION FOR 

ZAMBALES LIFESAVING 

LARGE MOUTH BASS 

IN THE PHILIPPINES 

BANCA SAFARI 

SAILING TIPS 

Resort of the Month: 

EASY DIVING & 

BEACH RESORT p40 

Destination 

NEGROS 

OCCIDENTAL ACTIVE 

MAR 2017 Vol. VI Issue 1 

BOATING & WATERSPORTS PhP150 

1

2 

NOW AVAILABLE AT

3

5 

th 

Regatta 

PUNTA FUEGO 

4

When you gather a group of likeminded 

individuals, especially those who are into 

competitive sailing, what do you think will happen? 

For 15 years now, the Punta Fuego Regatta still 

continues to be one of the biggest sailing events 

not only in Club Punta Fuego, but in the Philippines 

as well. The much awaited event during the start of 

each year is well-attended by sailing enthusiasts 

coming from all over, and of course by our sailor 

members from the Punta Fuego Yacht Club. 

For the first time in a long while, this year’s Regatta 

was divided into two weekends. Separating the beach 

cats and dinghies from the keelboats and ocean 

multihulls was indeed a great decision, as we’ve 

Words by 

CHANTAL- 

DENISE 

ORTEGA 

Photographs 

as credited 

More than 

40 boats 

from different 

categories and 

over a hundred 

sailors were in 

attendance, 

some of which 

were present in 

both 

Regatta 

weekends. 

5

had more sailors participating this year compared to 

previous years. More than 40 boats from different 

categories and over a hundred sailors were in 

attendance, some of which were present in both 

Regatta weekends. 

Beach Cats and Dinghies 

On January 14, 2017, participants gathered early 

at Il Jardineto by the Long Beach. We were blessed 

with good weather despite the forecast for the week 

predicting rain. The sun was shining through giving 

the sailors a very inspiring morning to try and win 

the races! 

Club Punta Fuego’s new General Manager, Mr. Edgar 

Krohn, formally opened the 15th Punta Fuego 

Regatta, and long-time race officer Mr. Jerry Rollin 

gave a speech and briefed the sailors on their 

race courses. 

There were 11 sailor duos with their Hobie 16s, 3 

pairs with Hobie Getaways, and 10 people with their 

Optimists who took part in the first Regatta 

weekend’s activities. 

Hobie 16 Class Winners 

1st Place : Ridgley Balladares and Richly Magsanay 

2nd Place : Maria Vidoera-Hagedorn and 

Sean Mitchell 

3rd Place : Joel Mejarito and Miguel Magsanay 

Hobie Getaway Class Winners 

1st Place : Santi Picornell and Pablum Lobregat 

2nd Place : Martin Marty and Geronimo Begre 

3rd Place : Denise Celdran and Davinia Roca 

Optimist Class Winners 

1st Place : Dazer Balangue 

2nd Place : John Pert Laud 

3rd Place : Gerard Boyano 

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7

During the awarding merienda, Mr. Roman Azanza 

went up on stage and called upon Ms. Medy Fidel of the 

Philippine Sailing Association. He surprised everyone 

by giving one of his boats for the PSA! This would be 

of great use for the kids that they train to be future 

sailors. 

Keelboats and Ocean Multihulls 

On January 20, the Club hosted welcome cocktails 

and dinner at the Barracuda Bar for those joining 

the second weekend of the Regatta. We had a 

total of 17 big boats (7 of which were keelboats, 

the rest were ocean multihulls) who participated, 

which gave us a lot of excitement and a spectacular 

view out on the deep blue waters of Punta Fuego. 

In the end, Karakoa beat Centennial II as the 

champion for this year’s racer cruiser class, while 

Freewheeler bested the cruising class. Floy was 

declared champion for the ocean multihull class. 

As the awarding ended, Mr. Santiago Elizalde took 

everyone’s attention and invited Mr. Jerry Rollin up 

on stage. As a significant organizer of the Punta 

8

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK 

It is great to see the 2017 sailing and watersports calendar is off to 

a flying start. With many events held so far, like to Subic to Boracay 

Race and the 17th Hobie Challenge this year with a record of 21 

entries from all over the world competing in this prestigious event. 

Our destinations are at all times something special and we are always 

discovering new things for local and overseas tourists to enjoy in each 

place we visit. 

Negros Occidental is no different with some amazing attractions and 

things to do. In Bacolod there is always something for everyone and in 

Silay you can enjoy the most mouthwatering seafood at Bgy Balaring. 

And of course the diving and resorts in Sipalay are simply spectacular 

like our resort of the month Easy Diving Beach Resort. We encourage 

you to try this beautiful resort where everything is at your fingertips, 

you will be glad you did. 

And of course March also brings the most popular boat show in 

Philippines the Sea-Ex. This Premier Nautical Boat Show now in its 

9th year and can be seen at the SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia. 

If this is the start of 2017 we can only look forward to bigger and 

better events as the year progresses. 

WHAT’S INSIDE? 

15th Punta Fuego Regatta 4 

5th Cebu Lifeguard Rescue Challenge 12 

2017 PKA Kiteboarding Tour 18 

Zambales Lifesaving Recognized 24 

Internationally 

Banca Safari Three Day 5 28 

6th Zambales Lifeguard Challenge 34 

Destination -NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 42 

Rolex China Sea Race Launches 63 

New Official Website 

Large Mouth Bass in the Philippines 64 

Disaster Strikes the 2017 Hobie Challenge 66 

Doing It The Milky Way 70 

Sailing Tips 72 

Standard Insurance 2017 Subic to 76 

Boracay and Boracay Cup 

Philippine Coast Guard 82 

Barry Dawson Editor 

Zambales Lifesaving 

Cover photo by Barry Dawson 

Resort of the Month: Easy Diving & Beach Resort, page 40 

Published quarterly by: ABW PUBLISHING 

House 16, Madrigal Compound, 2550 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City 

Editor & Production: BARRY DAWSON 

Contributing Writers: BRUCE CURRAN & JAMES WEBSTER 

Contributing Photographers: TERRY DUCKHAM & JOHNNY MARTINEZ 

Advertising: 551-4587/ 0928-714-4461 

Email: info@activeboatingwatersports.com 

Website: www.activeboatingwatersports.com 

Printed by: House Printers, Taytay, Rizal, Philippines 

Active Boating and Watersports is a copyright© production 

No part can be copied or reproduced without the express 

permission of the publishers. 

The views expressed and advertisements published in Active Boating & Watersports 

are those of the authors and advertisers, and not ABW Publishing. 

ABW Publishing does not accept any liability whatsoever for errors or omissions. 

9

Fuego Regattas, Mr. Rollin became teary-eyed 

as SRE, Mr. Santi Picornell, Ms. Maria Vidoeira- 

Hagedorn each took turns sharing about how Mr. 

Rollin helped shape the history and future of sailing 

in the Philippines. As a symbol of the Club’s gratitude, 

Mr. Rollin was awarded with a miniature motorboat 

with a plaque to always remind him that we are 

forever grateful for all his work, and that he is the one 

who set the course for all the Punta Fuego Regattas. 

Cruising Class 

1st Place : Freewheeler – David Wheeler 

2nd Place : Papaya Yacht – Renie Ticzon 

3rd Place : S/Y Isabelle – Tere Javier 

Racer Cruiser Class 

1st Place : Karakoa – Rey Ordovesa 

2nd Place : Centennial II – Martin Tanco 

3rd Place : Red Shift – Hans Woldring 

Ocean Multihull Class 

1st Place : Floy – Jack Po 

2nd Place : Mee Mee – Tony Ang 

3rd Place : Red Shift – Hans Woldring 

We would like to thank New Trends International, 

LANDCO, Dermplus, Whattatops, Ericoil, Nature 

Spring, Barcino, and Active Boating & Watersports 

for being our sponsors for this year’s Regatta. 

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11

5th 

Lifeguard Resc 

12 

Lifeguard

One of the fastest growing sports to capture 

the attention of both the public and the 

media is Lifesaving Sports. A relative newcomer to 

the sporting world, Lifesaving Sports are based on 

real rescue scenarios; the ones qualified lifesavers 

are expected to carry out on a daily basis, that take 

place in recreational waters such as beaches and 

swimming pools. This is the only sport in the world 

based on humanitarian grounds. 

Growing up in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and 

spending most of the summer school holidays body 

surfing at Bondi Beach the protection and advice 

on water conditions — especially the location of 

rips and sand banks — provided by the lifesavers 

was like having a security blanket. You hoped you 

wouldn’t need it, but it was reassuring to know it was 

there. An all to common sight was of a lifesaver on 

his paddle board rescuing a swimmer who’d gotten 

into difficulty by testing his limits only to come 

up short. Then there were a couple of times when 

a group of lifesavers rescued up to 20 swimmers 

when the sandbank on which they were standing 

suddenly and without warning vanished, stranding 

them in much deeper water, and further from shore 

than they could cope with. Lifesavers deserve our 

support and our thanks, no matter where they are. 

Swimmers and surfers still get into difficulty at 

beaches and pools, and skilled, reliable lifesavers are 

still there, saving them. 

This competition 

uses teams 

of two, plus a 

‘victim’ who can 

alternate as a 

competitor, or 

a non alternate 

victim supplied 

by the Red 

Cross. 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

Cebu 

Even though the waters off the Philippines are, 

generally, more benign than those in Australia, 

Zambales has been leading the push for resorts, 

hotels, clubs, etc with swimming pools or any form 

of water recreation facility, either on or adjacent 

to their premises, to have trained and certified 

lifeguards on duty to protect their customers and 

the general public. Zambales has also been very 

cue e Challenge 

13

14 

active in promoting the prevention of drowning, (as 

covered in our last issue). 

In June 2012, Zambales Lifesaving ran it’s first 

Lifesaving Sports competition, the First Zambales 

Lifeguard Challenge, an event open to all certified 

lifeguards from any Philippine Coast Guard approved 

training organization nationwide. It was also open 

to all lifeguards with internationally recognized 

qualifications. 

Zambales Lifesaving also competes nationally 

in other events of a water-safety nature with the 

assistance of the Standard Insurance Company Inc., 

a longtime supporter of Zambales lifeguard training 

and sports. 

This year they also were assisted by newly installed 

Zambales Governor, the Honorable, Attorney Amor 

Deloso, who is very keen to see Zambales become 

the leader in aquatic safety, and if necessary to assist 

other provinces in training lifeguards and promoting 

the prevention of drowning. 

September 9 and 10 2016 saw the fifth running 

of the Cebu Lifeguard Rescue Challenge, an 

event almost paralleling the Zambales Lifeguard 

Challenge, which was run by the Philippine Red 

Cross, Cebu Chapter. This year, for the first time, 

the challenge was moved to Dalaguete Beach Park, 

which is about 75 km south of Cebu City, in the 

Municipality of Dalaguete. The Philippine Red Cross 

arranged transportation for all competitors to and

from the venue, even transporting the Zambales 

Team to the Mactan International airport for their 

return flight after the event, a gesture that was 

greatly appreciated. 

The Fifth Cebu Lifeguard Rescue Challenge was the 

first to be run as a two day event. The Friday being 

set aside for practice and for teams to refine their 

competitive technique and strategy. But perhaps 

more significantly, the day was used by the staff 

of the Red Cross and the competitors to meet and 

talk to the public and spectators, demonstrate the 

various safety techniques they use such as CPR and 

first aid and promoting an awareness of drowning 

prevention. 

This year’s event was heavily contested by 9 teams, 

over 10 events, for both individuals and teams. 

Contesting teams were: 

Cebu Parklane International Hotel 

Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark 

Montebello Villa Hotel 

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa 

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa 

Surf Life Saving Cebu 

Surf Life Saving City of Naga 

Villa Teresita Resort 

Zambales Lifesaving Inc. 

Having won the event in 2013 at their first 

appearance, and again in 2014 and 2015, Zambales 

this year took a three man team to face the 

competition as they were determined to again prove 

their lifeguard training is the best in the country. 

The event itself was superbly run, though the venue 

was a little hard on competitors with most suffering 

lacerated feet because of the coral growing within 

the competition area. 

Judging was first class with Mr. Alfonsito I. Balo, 

National Field Representative-Safety Services of 

Philippine Red Cross, National Headquarters, Mr. 

Elton Cummings from Surf Life Saving Australia, 

Ballina, NSW, Australia and Captain Peter Tay, 

Chairman, Safety Services Committee, Philippine 

Red Cross, Malay-Boracay Chapter and Squadron 

This competition uses teams of two, plus a ‘victim’ 

who can alternate as a competitor, or a non alternate 

victim supplied by the Red Cross. For the past three 

years Zambales had taken two competitors and 

was allocated a ‘victim’ on the day, doing without 

an alternate competitor. Last year’s event, (2015), 

however, was so hard fought that at the end of 

the Challenge only 5 points separated the winners, 

Zambales, from second placed Villa Teresita Resort, 

with a further 10 points to third placed Jpark Island 

Resort and Waterpark. 

15

Events were based on rescue scenarios using rescue 

boards, rescue tubes, required skills in rescue board 

and rescue tube operation, plus swimming, running 

and paddling, and skills with CPR mannequins for 

resuscitation. The 10 events which made up the 

Fifth Cebu Lifeguard Rescue Challenge were: 

Beach Flag Race, won by Zambales Lifesaving Inc. 

Run Swim Run, won by Zambales Lifesaving Inc. 

Search and Recovery, won by Zambales Lifesaving Inc. 

Lifeguard “Ironman” Challenge, won by Surf Life 

Saving City of Naga 

Run Swim Run Medley, won by Surf Life Saving City of Naga 

Rescue Board Relay, won by Zambales Lifesaving Inc. 

Rescue Tube and Transfer Relay, won by Zambales 

Lifesaving Inc. 

Rescue Board and Transfer Relay, won by Surf Life 

Saving City of Naga 

Rescue and Resuscitation Relay, won by Villa Teresita Resort 

Lifeguard Rescue Challenge Relay, won by Zambales 

Lifesaving Inc. 

Commander Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary as the 

three judges for all events. 

In charge of events were Mr. Santiago Sinsuan III 

the event coordinator, and Mr. Bong Quambao, in 

charge of calling and marshalling the events: both 

did a superb job, overseen by Chapter Administrator 

Ms. Maria Vera G. De Jesus. 

The final results and points being (from a total 920 

available points): 

Rank Participant Points 

1st Zambales Lifesaving Inc. 864 

2nd Surf Life Saving, Naga City. 744 

3rd Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa 669 

4th Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark 620 

5th Villa Teresita Resort 609 

6th Surf Life Saving Cebu 555 

7th Plantation Bay Resort and Spa 513 

8th Cebu Parklane International Hotel 482 

9th Montebello Villa Hotel 400 

Anyone interested in entering a future Standard 

Insurance Company Inc. sponsored Zambales Lifeguard 

Challenge, can enquire by emailing Zambales 

Lifesaving Inc. at slszambales@gmail.com or check 

their website www.zambaleslifesaving.org 

16

L E O P A R D 

Welcome the newest addition to the 

award-winning fleet 

17

2017 PKA Kiteb 

Words and 

Photographs 

by PKA 

The sport 

will be part 

of the 2018 

World Youth 

Olympics in 

Argentina with 

a possibility 

of being 

calendared 

in the 2020 

Tokyo 

Olympics. 

The second leg of the 2017 PKA kite boarding tour 

was held In Bantayan Island to a capacity crowd 

cheering the contestants on to greater competition. 

With good winds the competition was fierce with top 

kit boarders from all over the world competing. 

Red Bull’s Christian Tio bested Ken Nacor in a tight 

duel to repeat as men’s Freestyle champion while 

Doque delos Santos and Ming Juan ruled the men’s 

TwinTip Race and the Novice class, respectively, 

for the second straight time in the ICTSI Philippine 

Kiteboarding Association Tour’s second leg in 

Bantayan, Cebu recently. 

The 17-year-old Tio, who also foiled Nacor in the 

kickoff leg of the four-stage circuit sponsored by 

ICTSI in Cuyo, Palawan late last year, sustained his 

form and flaunted his world-class skills and tricks 

despite stormy weather to earn the nods of the 

judges at Marlin’s Beach Resort. Delos Santos placed 

third with Philippine Kiteboarding Association 

juniors Remel Rentillo, Warner Janoya, Frean Yetyet 

and Mark Prevot took the next four spots in the 

featured event which drew riders from Sweden, 

Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia and the Philippines. 

The four young riders are actually priming up for next 

year’s Youth Olympic Games as the PKA stepped up 

its effort to discover and tap potential talents, the 

sport being part of the 2018 World Youth Olympics 

in Argentina with a possibility of being calendared in 

the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

18

oarding Tour 

19

Meanwhile, Delos Santos likewise duplicated his 

victory in Palawan, bucking the tricky wind and 

edging Julius Non and Nacor for the men’s Twintip 

title while Juan rallied from fourth to repeat as 

Novice champion, thwarting Swiss Miguel Gubler, 

who nipped Toti Reformado for runner-up honors. 

Luigi Abava finished fourth while Jack Alvarez and 

Tony Baysa placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in 

the event hosted by the LGU of Sta. Fe and Mayor 

Jose Esgana with Cabrinha, Greenyard, Solar Sports, 

Strong Media Solutions, My Life on Board, Bayan 

ng Sta Fe, Tourism Office, Marlin’s Beach Resort, 

Sky Dive Cebu, Hoyohoy Beah Villas, Sun Zapper, 

SUP Tours Philippines, Amihan Beach Cabanas and 

Monkey Co Coffee Roasters as backers. 

20 

Other winners were Bong Fernando (Masters), 

German Franziska Limmer (women’s Freestyle), 

Sassan Moscoso (men’s Hangtime), Slovak Bibiana 

Magaji (women’s Hangtime), Janoya (kids TwinTip), 

Maebelle Gajisan (Novice women’s TwinTip). 

Fernando came from behind to beat Swede Atte 

Kappel and snare the Masters division crown 

with Carlo Leongson and PKA president Jay Ortiz 

finishing third and fourth, respectively, followed by 

Mariel Candava and Annsen Baysa.

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21

Limmer, on the other hand, dominated the women’s 

Freestyle, beating Slovak Big Air champion Magaji 

with Dutch Mariska Wildenberg and Jane Gajisan 

from Tablas ending up third and fourth, respectively. 

Local ace Moscoso, flying a flysurfer, won the 

Hangtime challenge with 5.29 seconds with Nacor 

settling for another runner-up finish with 5.13 

seconds. Kappel wound up third with 4.84 seconds 

while Ortiz had 3.72 seconds for fourth. 

Magaji rebounded from her setback in Freestyle, 

bagging the women’s Hangtime crown with 3.93 

seconds. Kara Leongson camein second with 3.38 

seconds while Limmer and Gajisan took the next 

two spots with 2.97 seconds and 2.41 seconds, 

respectively.Janoya, meanwhile, clinched the kids 

TwinTip crown with a score of 3.0, beating Yetyet 

(6.0), while Prevot and Rentillo didn’t finish after 

failing to re-launch their respective kites.Gajisan, 16 

and member of the juniors squad training for the 

YOG, topped the novice women’s TwinTip racing, 

foiling Swiss Natascha Baenziger while Swede rider 

Helena Lundberg and Riana Straeter, also from 

Switzerland, tied for third. 

22 

Meanwhile, the tour heads to Boracay Island for 

the third leg on Feb. 18-20 before winding up in 

Cagbalete Island in Quezon on March 3-5.

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23

Zambales L 

Recognized In In 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

In all there 

were almost 

100 

competitors 

representing 

12 countries 

competing, 

including; 

Australia, 

New Zealand, 

Korea, China, 

Hong Kong, 

Singapore, 

India, Thailand, 

Malaysia, 

Taiwan, 

Vietnam and 

Philippines. 

24 

The reputation of Zambales is becoming 

internationally recognized in Surf Life 

Saving Competitions, along with the abilities of 

the athletes involved in this most important part of 

watersport safety. 

After some four years of competing within the 

Philippines, “Team Zambales” of Zambales Lifesaving 

Inc. received an invitation from Thailand to enter the 

International Surf Life Saving Competition in Phuket 

Thailand to be held on December 10, 2016. 

ABW spoke with Zambales Lifesaving Inc. President 

and Program Director Roger Bound about how 

they were able to secure an invitation to compete 

internationally and what was needed to fund this 

so these aspiring life savers could represent the 

Philippines in such a prestigious event. Roger said 

“We received the invitation from Thai Life Saving 

Society in July, this came about from a contacts 

with an Australian friend, David Field, who had 

been assisting me with a courtesy call I had made 

to Prathaiyut Chuayuan ( Nat ) when we were on 

vacation in Thailand in 2016. 

When we received the official invitation, I was 

then able to approach the Provincial Government, 

resorts and other Zambales business people to help 

support fund the costs of getting a four man team 

to Thailand. 

My first stop was to our Provincial Governor, 

The Hon. Atty Amor Deloso, to ask support for a 

Zambales team to the event. With a smile on my face 

and hope in my heart I left his office with a letter of 

support plus a promise of “if you can find others 

to assist with other items such as accommodation, 

foods, land transportation and travel tax”, I will 

commit to cover the air fares, a very generous offer 

indeed.

Lifesaving 

ternationally 

25

So with the Governor’s letter in hand and the will to get 

it done, I approached numerous people for assistance. 

First to respond was Martin Zoller of Botolan Wildlife 

Farm, wishing us support and financial assistance, as 

did Mayor Rundy Eddane of Iba LGU and MAYOR. 

Dr. La Rainne Abad Sarmiento, both of whom are 

avid supporters of Lifesaving and lifesaving sports, 

likewise our major supporter Standard Insurance Co. 

Inc., and RP Energy, pledged their assistance, but 

because of the costs involved we were still well short 

of the target needed, next I found support from our 

Hon Congresswoman, Cheryl Deloso-Montalla plus 

Crystal Beach Resort, who was the only beach resort 

to assist, as did the owner, Mr. Jun Ramos who also 

personally donated assistance, which tipped the 

balance for us to go without leaving too bigger hole 

in my personal funds to fill the gap. 

So it was off to Thailand with our competitors, Mark 

Anthony Jereza, Donnel Wayne Sanchex, Jrhn Ed 

Romanban and Issac Emanuel Daylo, plus Virgel 

Ramos as Coach. 

We departed Zambales at 12 noon to Manila and the 

airport, only just making our flight due to really bad 

traffic conditions in Manila, we arrived at Phuket 

International Airport at 10pm that evening to a very 

long line at Immigration, we were all in our travel 

uniforms and an Immigration supervisor came over 

and asked about our cause, next thing we knew we 

were ushered out of the long queue and processed 

through the now empty air crew counters, what a 

nice gesture and a great introduction to Thailand, 

the transport arranged by the Phuket Lifesaving 

Services was waiting for us as planned, so it was off 

to Patong Beach and our accommodations at “MY 

Hotel”, now that is a whole other story, the van driver, 

what is your hotel”, MY Hotel, Yes I know it is your 

hotel, but what is the name of your hotel? I replied 

MY Hotel and around it went again and again. 

We finally arrived at MY Hotel a little after midnight 

tired and exhausted after twelve hours of travelling, 

and with the competition starting at eight am, it 

was a welcome relief that all was ready and well 

organized and we were in our rooms within minutes. 

I can highly recommend MY Hotel, it is in a small 

dead end street just off the main strip and an easy 10 

minute walk to the beach, so both convenient and 

quiet with nice rooms and an affordable restaurant 

with plenty of choices. 

26 

The competition got underway after introductions 

of teams and the raising of the flag of Thailand. In 

all there were almost 100 competitors representing 

12 countries competing, including; Australia, New 

Zealand, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, 

India, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and 

Philippines.

Live bait fishing 

All events were hard fought, but with competitors 

showing their best in both competitiveness and 

sportsmanship, so in all many new friendships were 

formed and valuable information shared. In the final 

results it was pleasing that our team done proud and 

showed our sponsors their effort for us to attend 

was well rewarded with Zambales coming in second 

with a total point score of 24, the winners of the 

event Le Meridan with 26 and Chiness Family 3rd 

with a score of 21. 

My congratulations to Thai Lifeguard Services for an 

excellent and well run competition. “ 

27

Banca Safa 

Words by 

BRUCE 

CURRAN 

Photographs 

as credited 

It is always 

thrilling 

to see the 

glimpse of sea 

mammals, and 

spinners love 

to jump and 

spin as they 

move rapidly 

through their 

playground 

and fishing 

grounds. 

At midnight the Captain and his crew slipped 

the mooring and we began to motor east 

along southern Negros under a bright moon which 

lit up the coastal hills and presented the five of us 

bedded down on the deck top with an eerie view of a 

scenic coastline. Slipping in and out of a light sleep, 

the images of shadowy hill tops and little coves as 

well as long silent beaches flickered intermittently, 

jig-sawed into a magic silhouette from our moving 

stage. We motored on atop a flat smooth sea on our 

way towards another unknown day. 

The Mia Maria ran parallel to the coast until dawn. 

This was the time of the Captain, sat in his bridge 

room sauntering through the placid seaway. At first 

light he started to motor towards the land, heading 

for the mouth of a slow flowing river guarded by 

sand banks. Mountains lay inland behind the 

coastal plain, and already small bancas were out 

fishing close to land. From out of the sea behind 

us came some much larger bancas after a night of 

team fishing far offshore. On either side of the river 

mouth sand beaches stretched both ways for as far 

as the eye could see. 

In the mouth of the river, large timber rectangular 

rafts were being maneuvered into the middle for 

the changing tide. Long pivoted bamboo poles 

supported swing nets, that could be lowered into 

the water and then scooped up at the appropriate 

time. Several of these were hard at work with several 

small figures operating each contraption. Dawn was 

28

ari Three 

DAY 5 

clearly their time of opportunity, and together with 

the small and large bancas moving about, the river 

mouth was the scene of much activity in the early 

hours of this new dawn, before the sun grew hot. 

Somewhere nearby lay the coastal town of Bayawan. 

Someway down river a substantial road bridge could 

be seen, and after a breakfast watching all this 

action on the water, we all nine piled into the small 

outrigger banca that had been towed with us from 

Sipalay, and headed gingerly around the sandbanks 

heading towards the inland bridge. But not before 

Kevin the professional and Randy the amateur had 

done a bout of photo shooting aboard the same 

boat in the early morning light so favored by such 

people. We passed children swimming, waving 

franticly to get our attention, before engaging 

in diving and somersaulting antics and showing 

off their water prowess. Rickety simple shacks lay 

shore-side with bamboo bridges across tidal creeks. 

Warehouses and a collapsed concrete block stood 

further up river, before we arrived at the area where 

all the fishing boats had gathered, they lay in three 

rows tied to each other. Perhaps fifteen crewed 

bancas were on-loading supplies, offloading their 

catches, repairing bits and bobs, and preparing food 

on charcoal open fires on their decking. Three men 

were in the throes of slaughtering a black haired pig 

in the banca beside us, and graciously removed the 

still warm carcass when they saw us approaching. 

The pig’s blood bowl lay full and a rich deep red 

blood smeared the area of the slaughter. A hearty 

29

meal was in the offing, and we crossed their boat to 

reach the concreted shore-side platform. Bancas are 

full of cross beams, struts and airborne wiring, and 

fleet-footedness and balance are the key ingredients 

especially when a bunch of landlubbers attempt a 

crossing of these boats in their ignorance of the art 

of boat design. We felt like a bunch of circus clowns, 

tightrope walking at the first attempt, drawing polite 

smiles from fisher folk who must have been most 

amused on the inside, watching this bunch of heavyfooted 

aliens clambering and scrabbling earnestly 

towards the safety of the flat concrete shore. We all 

arrived ashore without mishap, and gleefully strode 

into town along the concrete roadways. 

Before long we had broken up into three groups, 

and filtered into town to do our own exploring for 

two hours. Here was a pure Filipino town, going 

about its daily business, and we, like shadows, 

drifting through the milieu. 

It was a neat and tidy town, busy building an 

elegant boulevard laid out with street lamps along 

the seafront. Beyond this walkway lay shacks on 

the sandy shoreline, and on the beach itself Junia 

Garlon was building an 83 foot banca. Already a boat 

builder for 20 years, he proudly announced that with 

his team he was capable of building one boat every 

30

31

three months. He favors star apple timber for the 

bow and stern pieces, and white Lawa-an for the 

boat keel. Red tangeele and almond timber are also 

used alongside copper nails and epoxy joins. This 

particular boat was being built for a Norwegian who 

had married a local girl. They lived in Norway, but he 

was building a boat for the family to have their own 

livelihood in Negros. 

The stroll around town was a pleasant affair, with 

friendly smiles everywhere, but soon it was time to 

take to sea once more and head for our destination 

three hours further east at Bonbonon in Tambobo Bay. 

The afternoon sea was flat, and the wind running 

offshore cooled the decks. Jos got us all excited 

when she pointed out spinner dolphins cavorting to 

seaward. It is always thrilling to see the glimpse of 

sea mammals, and spinners love to jump and spin 

as they move rapidly through their playground and 

fishing grounds. They were gone all too soon and 

we all settled in to reading or chatting or simply 

dozing in the afternoon breeze. The coastal scenery 

remained eye catching and attractive, as we headed 

around the southern point of a headland and into a 

brisk wind from the north east. The sea was choppy, 

but heading directly towards the waves the Mia 

Maria was in her element, cutting the waves on the 

bow and ploughing gallantly onwards. 

As the sky began to change into a rainbow of rich 

colors for the evening sunset we dropped anchor 

and sat at rest for our penultimate night aboard. 

Tambobo beach resort lay close by, and Kevin spoke 

to Nigel Roberts ashore to arrange a brief visit 

that night by some of us. It was a courtesy visit in 

preparation for our next night stay, which would be 

after we had parted company from the Mia Maria. 

However, as day slipped into night we were all back 

aboard ready for a dawn run out to the sanctuary 

and well known diving sites that abound and thrive 

around little Apo island. At dusk we had spotted the 

island on the northern horizon, but tomorrow we 

would be there for an intimate encounter. 

32

33

6th Zambales 

The final 

event for the 

challenge, 

the test of 

stamina is 

the iron man 

challenge 

consisting of 

run, swim, run, 

paddle and 

one transfer 

victim to finish 

line in a one 

man carry. 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

The Philippines is blessed with some of the most 

beautiful pristine beaches in the world, where 

thousands flock to enjoy the numerous watersports 

activities on offer, from just an enjoyable swim to 

surfing, skim boarding, sailing, kayaking, or one 

of the many other water activities on our beaches, 

which makes water safety and ever alert life savers 

a must, and Zambales is leading the way for a safer 

drown free environment for beach goers and beach 

resort owners with their lifesaver training programs 

of young life savers to make your holidays even 

safer. 

This program headed by Mr. Roger Bound of 

Zambales Lifesaving Inc., and fully supported 

by the Philippine Coast Guard where young and 

enthusiastic swimmers are trained to the highest 

standards using a specially tailored training based 

on the Australian Life Saving Academy’s program, as 

used by the International Life Saving Federation, the 

world governing body. Carefully developed courses, 

not only for adults, but also for boys and girls eight 

years of age to 16 years of age, teach basic water 

safety and life saving techniques. 

It is hoped that when these older ‘Anak ng Tubig’ 

(Children of the Water) will become fully fledged 

Life Guards, trained to read the hidden dangers of 

the oceans and inland waterways as well as learning 

about public relations. Training of these young and 

enthusiastic Lifesavers is in accordance with the rules 

of the coast guard and all training and certification 

of life guards is approved by the Philippine Coast 

Guard, the controlling body of life guards in the 

Philippines. 

Chall 

34

s Life Guard 

Each year these enthusiastic young lifesavers 

compete in a challenge with other lifesaving clubs 

in the Philippines honing their skills even more. 

On January 14th and 15th 2017 the 6th Lifesaving 

Challenge, sponsored by Standard Insurance was 

held at the beautiful Rama International Beach 

Resort at Botolan, a resort that ABW has no 

hesitation in recommending as the place to stay for 

a memorable holiday in Zambales. 

The resort is set in a lush tropical garden setting 

with excellent accommodation and an upper deck 

restaurant that serves meals to please even the 

most discerning palette. The owner/manager of 

the resort Mr. Henry Fongern pulled out all stops 

to make everyone associated with the challenge 

more than welcome at this fabulous resort with 

comfortable rooms, great food and a cold drink or 

two of juice for the contestants of the challenge. 

Day one got under way a little behind schedule 

due to the sound being late to arrive, but all went 

smoothly for the day with competition fiercely 

contested by all the participants involved. 

There were seven events held on the first day 

beginning with the 90 meter elimination sprint 

along the sands of the beach, getting everyone 

warmed up to the main challenges of the day. The 

second event was a two player event of rescue tube 

and transfer, this event involved one player racing 

to collect a rescue tube and swim to a victim off 

shore, strap the tube to the victim and tow him/her 

to shore waving to the second player who entered 

the water and assisted player one to carry the victim 

to the finish line and place the victim in a recovery 

position. 

lenge 

35

The third event for the day was the run-swim-run 

medley relay again consisting of two team players. 

The first player from the starting line run to the 

water and swim breaststroke to the marker and back 

running to tag his team player who the ran to the 

water swam front crawl stroke to marker and back 

then ran to the finish line. Event four was the board 

race consisting of two players from each team, the 

first player run from the start line to collect the board 

paddling to the two markers and go around them in 

an anti-clockwise direction back to shore to tag his 

team payer who repeated the process. After event 

four it was break time, so the competitors could relax 

and get their second wind for the afternoon events. 

A delicious luncheon supplied by Rama Beach 

Resort, was enjoyed by all, Then it was back into 

the fray for the afternoons events starting with the 

event five the Lifeguard Challenge Relay consisting 

of run-swim-paddle-run. Event 6 was the Rescue 

board and transfer relay with teams of two players, 

at the start signal player 1 ran to the rescue board 

and paddled towards the victim supplied by another 

team. Where the “unconscious” victim was placed 

on the board and towed to the shore line where 

waving his hands for assistance player two ran into 

the water to assist to carry the victim to the finish 

line placing the victim in the recovery position. The 

last event for the first day was event seven the line 

throw, player ones throws a line to player two in the 

water and tows him to shore, extracting the victim 

from the water and carry to the finish line. After the 

event was finished it was relax and enjoy a beautiful 

evening at the Rama international Beach Resort. 

36

37

The second day got underway after a mouthwatering 

breakfast with event eight the ever popular beach flag 

elimination race. The major event for the challenge 

was event nine. The Rescue and resuscitation 

assessment relay. This event evaluates what the 

players have learnt in their lifesaving training and 

helps them to hone their skills in saving someone’s 

life. This two player event involves player one run 

and swim towards unconscious victim supplied by 

the organizer and carry/tow the victim to the shore 

line waving for assistance from player two, players 

one and two then carry the victim to the designated 

area and perform two rescuers DRS-ABC and place 

the victim in a recovery position. 

The final event for the challenge, the test of stamina 

is the iron man challenge consisting of run, swim, 

run, paddle and one transfer victim to finish line in 

a one man carry. 

After the final event it was a time for another delicious 

luncheon served by the host Rama Beach Resort. 

Then it was time to acknowledge the achievements 

of these young life savers training to make your 

watersports holiday a safer one. Zambales Lifesaving 

Inc. is trying to get all event organizers to adapt the 

2 man team system is a two man team has to be 

fitter and have more skills that a 3 or 4 man teams as 

adopted by others, also it is cheaper to send a 2 man 

team to events than 3 or 4 man teams. 

Rank Team/Winners: 

Senior open division 

1st Zambales Lifeaving South/Mark Anthony 

Jereza and Isaac Emanuel B. Daylo 

2nd Crystal 1/Adonis L. Belecina and Allan O. Derecho 

3rd Zambales Lifesaving North/Donell Wayne B. 

Sanchez and John E. Romanban 

Ladies Division 

1st Randy Ebdane IBA LGU/Kyla Marie Ednalan 

and Angelica Bantolo 

2nd Crystal Beach Resort/Cristy Lyn S. Jereza and 

Lynnae Ivy Evangelista 

3rd Broadwater Marine/Romelyn O. Limbag and 

Ivy O. Cosadio 

Junior Division (Mixed male and female) 

1st Zambales Lifesaving North/Miguel R. Villamin 

and Sylvern S. Bound 

2nd Randy Edbane IBA LGU/Ivy Bernal and Daniel 

E. Villanueva 

3rd Zambales Lifesaving South/Christian Paul M. 

Vasquez and Lovely Pauline Floresca 

Once again we have to thank Standard Insurance 

for their valuable sponsorship of this important part 

of watersports, for without people like Standard 

Insurance supporting the training of young 

lifesavers our beaches would not be as safe. For 

further information On Zambales Lifesaving’s email 

slszambales@gmail.com or call Roger Bound on 

+639474503332. 

38

39

RESORT of the MONTH 

EASY DIVING & BEACH RESORT 

The only 5-star PADI Resort 

in Negros Occidental 

Some of the 

dive sites are 

located right 

in front of the 

Resort. There 

you will find 

shipwrecks, a 

gigantic coral 

garden and a 

large variety of 

rare species on 

the reef. It’s an 

ideal place for 

scuba training, 

excellent fun 

dives, and 

night dives. 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

Easy Diving and Beach Resort is located in 

Sipalay City on the Occidental side of Negros 

Island, one of the biggest Philippine islands. Resort 

and in house Dive Center are managed and owned 

by Swiss PADI Instructor Christian Reinwald. 

Easy Diving and Beach Resort became the first 

5 Star PADI IDC Dive Resort on the West part of 

Negros island in 2006, and is a lost paradise for 

every diver to discover. 

Easy Diving offers daily 4 dive schedules with a 

selection from more than 30 dive sites. Enjoy our 

incredible underwater paradise. Dive in established 

protected marine reserves. Experience some of the 

most outstanding dives on our reefs and within an 

abundance of marine life. There are also a number 

of dive safaris to choose from. Most of the dive 

spots are accessible within a 5 to 10 minutes boat 

ride. Some of the dive sites are located right in 

front of the Resort. There you will find shipwrecks, 

a gigantic coral garden and a large variety of rare 

species on the reef. It’s an ideal place for scuba 

training, excellent fun dives, and night dives. It is 

heaven for macro photographers. The resort offers 

many other activities such as archery, adventure 

trips, kayaking, Mountain Bikes etc. 

Easy dive accommodation is of very high standards 

with well-appointed rooms, catering for your every 

need. The staff are courteous and friendly to make 

your stay as pleasant as possible, and the open 

air dining offers a menu to please even the most 

discerning palette. When you stay at this beautiful 

resort, it is easily seen why ABW had no hesitation in 

selecting it as the resort of the month. 

40

Sipalay Easy Diving 

& Beach Resort 

Easy Diving and Beach Resort is your premier destination in Negros 

Occidental in the Philippines. We are the only 5-star PADI Resort in the 

province. We employ and educate PADI instructors from all over the world. 

The diving is just splendid, be it the house reef or the wrecks, a freighter 

and a WWII wreck. We have beautiful coral gardens and walls. You’ll see 

dolphins jump and sharks graciously pass by - even whale shark will say 

hello during your boat trips and safaris with us. 

Non-divers can join the same trips and snorkel or do one of our discover 

scuba diving sessions. We offer the whole PADI program from OWD to 

instructor level education. 

We have a large fleet of different boats from the smallest Zodiac to the 

30 meter safari banca. We’ll show you around. In Sipalay, Sumilon, Apo, 

Balicasag, Santander, Moalboal and Oslob we’ll surprise you and have the 

beautiful undersea world amaze you. 

EASY DIVING & BEACH RESORT 

Punta Ballo PH-6113 Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines 

E-Mail: diving@sipalay.com Tel.: 0063 917 300 0381 

Skype-Adresse: Sipalay Rezeption: Easy Diving Reception 

41

NEGROS OC 

The first 

Masskara 

Festival was 

held during 

a time of 

tragedy; on 

April 22 of that 

year, the interisland 

vessel 

MV Don Juan 

carrying many 

Negrenses, 

including those 

belonging to 

prominent 

families in 

Bacolod City, 

collided with 

the tanker 

Tacloban City 

and sank. 

N 

egros Occidental, it can be found near the 

central part of the Philippines. It is one of 

the five provinces that compose Western Visayas 

or Region VI. And is located in the northwestern 

portion of Negros Island, the fourth biggest island 

in the Philippine archipelago. 

It is bounded on the north by the Visayan Sea, and 

on the south by the Sulu Sea. It is southeast of 

Panay Island which is separated by the Guimaras 

Strait. 

On the east are the Tanon Strait and Negros 

Oriental, which forms part of the Central Visayas 

or Region VII. 

Negros Island was originally called 

“Buglas”, an old native 

word that is thought 

to mean “cutoff.” 

It is believed that Negros was once part of a 

greater mass of land but was cut-off either by 

what geologists call a continental drift or by rising 

waters during the so-called glacial age. 

Among its earliest inhabitants were dark-skinned 

natives belonging to the Negrito ethnic 

group with their unique culture. 

Thus, the Spaniards called 

the land “Negros” 

after the black 

natives 

42

DESTINATION 

CIDENTAL 

whom they saw when they first came to the 

island in April 1565. Two of the earliest native 

settlements were Binalbagan and Ilog, that later 

became towns in 1573 and 1584, respectively. 

Other settlements were Hinigaran, Bago, Marayo 

(now Pontevedra), Mamalan (now Himamaylan) 

and Candaguit (now a sitio in San Enrique). 

Negros is basically volcanic, making its soil ideal 

for agriculture. Eighty percent of all arable land 

is cultivated. And is the Philippines’ major 

sugar producer. Its principal sugargrowing 

region is located in the 

north and west of the 

island, stretching 

from 

northwest along the coasts of the Visayan Sea 

and Guimaras Strait, which is one of the country’s 

principal lowland areas. Sugar refining has many 

by-products such as acetylene, fertilizers and rum. 

Fishing is the major industry based in Cadiz City. 

There are also a number of fishponds and prawn 

farming has become a major industry. 

Bacolod City is the center of commerce and 

finance in Negros Occidental. It is where you find 

oil companies, factories, bottling plants, allied 

industrial businesses, steel fabrication, power 

generation, agri-businesses, prawn culture and 

other aqua-culture ventures. 

Sugar is central to the evolution of the Negrense 

culture. The affluence and the prosperity that 

the industry brought to the province 

nourished 

a charming, 

genteel, 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

Kanlaon Volcano 

43

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 

Fountain of Justice in 

downtown Bacolod City 

44 

sometimes lavish spirit that sets the Negrense 

apart from his Ilonggo kinsman. 

Negrense are regarded as affectionate, generous, 

fun loving people who enjoy the finer things in 

life. As a labor force, however, Negrenses are 

highly motivated, educated, skilled, trainable and 

entrepreneurial individuals. 

Sugar Industry 

Negros Occidental is the Philippines’ major 

sugar producer, contributing over half of the 

country’s total production. Some 54 percent of 

its agricultural land is sugarcane-based, and raw 

sugar is its leading traditional export product. 

Other countries like Thailand, however, have eaten 

into Negros Occidental’s world market for sugar 

with their lower priced product, thus threatening 

not just the export income but the stability of the 

industry itself. 

To enhance sustainability of the sugar industry, 

there was a need to introduce multi-cropping or 

rotational cropping in the sugar industry. This was 

advocated to the cane producers who were open 

to the idea of diversification. With this type of 

idea they could plant corn and other crops along 

with their sugarcane as this would help maintain a 

healthy soil to ensure continued farm productivity, 

in addition to being another source of income as 

well. A cursory computation shows that a producer 

could earn as much as Php50,000 for 10 tons of 

corn as compared with a meager P16,800 for some 

10 tons of sugarcane. 

Also supported was the thrust towards production 

of bio-ethanol from sugarcane, as well as other 

biofuel like jatropha oil. 

Power plays a very crucial role in the economic 

development of the province. This requires 

additional investments in power projects to 

have an equitable balance between demand and 

supply to avert power crisis in the near future. In 

line with this, they were encouraged to look at 

the exploration and establishment of renewable 

sources of energy, especially hydro-electric 

projects making use of the six major rivers. 

To further spur economic development and to 

increase local revenues, the provincial government 

could make use of its corporate personality to do 

business. The 1991 LGC allows LGUs to invest in 

business, with a 51 to 49 percent sharing, the 

government being the minority shareholder. For 

instance, it could put up collateral for loans to be 

used in tourism investment that would be run by 

the private sector. 

Bacolod City 

Prior to the coming of the Spaniards in Negros in 

1565, there existed a small village near the mouth 

of the Magsungay river inhabited by Malayans 

who belong to the “Taga-ilog” group. The early 

en.wikipedia.org

45


46 

Lagoon 

at the 

provincial 

capitol 

grounds 

Theme park 

resort 24 km 

from Bacolod 

missionaries placed the village of Magsungay 

under the protection of St. Sebastian in 1700s and 

was later known as “San Sebastian de Magsungay”. 

In 1770, Bernardo de los Santos became its first 

Governadorcillo or Capitan municipal. Its first 

parish priest was Fr. Leon Pedro, having been 

appointed as Propitario of Bacolod in 1806. 

Due to the rampant attack of Moro pirates, the 

villagers moved inland and established a new 

settlement on a hilly terrain they called Buklod, 

the forerunner of its present name, “Bacolod”. 

Gradually, the people left the hilly terrain which 

later became known as Camingawan (loneliness). 

In 1849, then Gov. Valdevieso y Morquecho 

declared Bacolod as the capital of the whole 

island of Negros. Subsequently, with the splitting 

of Negros into two provinces, Bacolod was named 

capital of the province of Negros Occidental in 

1884. 

On October 19, 1938, Bacolod became the fifth 

chartered city during the Commonwealth period 

under President Manuel L. Quezon, with Alfredo 

Montelibano, Sr. as its appointed chief executive. 

From a mere settlement in the hills with only about 

5,000 people in 1770, Bacolod has developed 

into a highly urbanized city in 1984. In 1996, 

Bacolod was named one of the “Outstanding 

Cities of the Philippines”. It was also adjudged 

the “Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized 

City” in the country in 1997, 1998 and 2000, 2001, 

respectively. Bacolod is now one of the most 

progressive cities in the country and is also listed 

as one of the most livable cities in the Philippines. 

It is most noted for the Masskara festival in the 

third week of October. Boasting of a rich history, 

great food, awesome sights, Monuments and 

man-made wonders to tickle everyone’s delight, 

here a just a few attractions to see in this, the City 

of Smiles. 

Joecelyn battling 

the tires Ninja styled 

high rope 

Kguirnela-en.wikipedia.org

Capitol Grounds and Lagoon 

The Provincial Capitol Complex located in the 

heart of the city on Lacson Street with its spacious 

grounds and artificial lagoon is the ideal place to 

boost the energy levels with an early morning jog. 

Also located here is the zero kilometer marker or 

point of reference to the city. 

ABW was guided around Bacolod by Raymond 

Aluan from the department of tourism, and 

he would have to be one of the best and most 

knowledgeable guides we have ever encountered, 

and thanks to him we gained a lot of insight to the 

history of Bacolod. 

Campuestohan Highland Resort 

Set in 5 hectares of land overlooking Mount 

Makawili, this theme park resort is within 24 km 

from both the town of Bacolod, and the Marapara 

Golf and Country Club. 

Accommodations range from Native Indian-style 

teepees sleeping up to 6 people, to King Kongthemed 

rooms with flat-screens, and bonito huts. 

All provide en suite bathrooms, and some have airconditioning. 

Breakfast and park entry are complimentary. 

There’s a restaurant pavilion, an Italian ice cream 

shop and a cafe, as well as a spa, outdoor pools and 

a kids’ play area. Other amenities include rides, an 

outdoor gym, a zipline, wave-pool, hamster ride 

and a four lane sky bike. Horseback riding is also 

offered. One of the courses is the Ninja styled 

high rope course, designed to test the fitness of 

all participants. ABW spoke to Joecelyn Cabrieto, 

a 24 year old lass from Iloilo who said she quite 

enjoyed the challenge to complete the course 

albeit the going was tough in some places and 

found her hardest challenge was the tires, where 

she came to grief losing her footing and rode the 

safety harness to the next step of the challenge. 

Water Garden and Forest Park Resort 

The garden is the epitome of beauty within 

Bacolod City, that offers the traveller a lot of 

choices that make your stay comfortable, relaxing 

and rejuvenating. There is an enormous swimming 

Entrance to 

Forest Park and 

water garden 

Pool at Forest Park 

47

NEGROS OCCIDEN- 

48 

Water garden 

at Forest Park 

Smiling masks at 

Masskara festival 

pool that can accommodate large numbers of 

bathers without ever being overcrowded, a 

lazy river, mini - zoo, grand gazebos, beautiful 

promenades, canopy trees, villas plus so much 

more! 

Masskara Festival 

The festival first began in 1980 during a period 

of crisis. The province relied on sugar cane as its 

primary agricultural crop, and the price of sugar 

was at an all-time low due to the introduction of 

sugar substitutes like high fructose (corn syrup) 

in the United States. This was the first Masskara 

Festival and a time of tragedy; on April 22 of that 

year, the inter-island vessel MV Don Juan carrying 

many Negrenses, including those belonging to 

prominent families in Bacolod City, collided with 

the tanker Tacloban City and sank. An estimated 

700 lives were lost in the tragedy. 

In the midst of these tragic events, the city’s 

artists, local government and civic groups decided 

to hold a festival of smiles, because the city at 

that time was also known as the City of Smiles. 

They reasoned that a festival was also a good 

opportunity to pull the residents out of the 

pervasive gloomy atmosphere. The initial festival 

was therefore, a declaration by the people of 

the city that no matter how tough and bad the 

times were, Bacolod City is going to pull through, 

survive, and in the end, triumph. 

The word “Masskara” is a portmanteau, coined by 

the late artist Ely Santiago from mass (a multitude 

of people), and the Spanish word cara (face), thus 

forming MassKara (a multitude of faces). The word 

is also a pun on maskara, Filipino for “mask” (itself 

from Spanish máscara), since a prominent feature 

of the festival are the masks worn by participants, 

who are always adorned with smiling faces because 

it is called the city of smiles. 

The mask motif of the festival has changed from 

masks influenced by native Filipinos to those 

influenced by the Carnival of Venice and the Rio 

Carnival. Earlier masks were hand-painted and 

adorned with feathers, flowers and native beads, 

while contemporary masks feature plastic beads 

and sequins. 

The festival features a street dance competition 

where people from all walks of life troop to the 

streets to see masked dancers gyrating to the 

rhythm of Latin musical beats in a display of 

mastery, gaiety, coordination and stamina. Major 

activities include the MassKara Queen Beauty 

pageant, carnivals, drum, bugle corps competitions, 

food festivals, sports events, musical concerts,

Inflatable Paddle Board 

Just a few years ago most of us hadn’t even heard of stand 

up paddleboarding, but now people ‘doing it standing up’ 

are a common sight along our shores, and ever more boat 

owners are discovering and enjoying the advantages of having 

a board (or two) on board. As well as a very useful second 

tender, they’re the ideal craft for exploring the anchorage, 

the marina, the harbour, they’re a fun platform for youngsters 

to mess around on, and they offer a great way of keeping in 

shape too. 

Inflatable boards have been around for a while, although 

early offerings were generally low in performance, and easily 

punctured. Today the inflatables from the leading brands 

offer such great performance, the question has become why 

wouldn’t you get an inflatable! And for boating, it’s really a nobrainer, 

as inflatables are just so much more boat-friendly. The 

well-made ones are way more robust than solid boards too; they 

can be bounced off rocks and run up the beach with impunity. 

How long do inflatable boards take to pump up, and is it hard? 

It should only take 3-5 minutes once you’ve mastered the right 

pumping technique. The exertion involved will depend on 

the quality of the pump supplied. If you have good storage 

there is no need to deflate after each use the good ones can 

be left inflated, and will stay inflated. You can just treat them 

like a hard board. Also The best inflatables can indeed be left 

inflated, on the deck in the summer sun. The fabric and glues 

are heat-stable, and the construction can cope with internal air 

pressures 2 or 3 times greater than what you could ever achieve 

with the hand pump (normally 12-20psi), so the expansion 

factor when the board heats up is not an issue. Ultimately of 

course, UV will always take its toll on the overall lifespan of 

the board, so if you are planning on leaving the board on deck 

all summer every summer then covering it with a light sheet 

certainly won’t hurt. 

A paddleboard is more versatile. For starters, it’s not compulsory 

to stand up - you can sit down and paddle it like a kayak, if 

that’s your thing. But it’s also far lighter, and thus much easier 

to get on and off the boat. It’s a whole lot more stable, too 

- you can step down from your boat onto the paddleboard 

and off you go. You can load a paddleboard up with multiple 

people, and if you balance is not good, then you definitely 

need to get a paddleboard! The great news about balance is 

that it’s something you can improve at any age. You don’t need 

to build muscle or strengthen sinew, it’s just about teaching the 

brain. And paddleboarding is about the best balance training 

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49


Kipot twin falls 

Original Bacolod 

chicken inasal 

50 

agriculture-trade fairs, garden shows, and other 

special events organized every year. 

Kipot Twin Falls 

Located in Bago City, less than a one hour drive 

from Bacolod, the Kipot Twin Falls is a place not 

to be missed. These enchanting falls are a stream 

separated by a sharp overhang that splits the path 

of water into two seemingly identical cascades. 

Kipot Twin Falls is great for family picnics and 

nature tripping activities. These magnificent falls 

make you feel you’re in the middle of a mystical 

paradise. There is a bridge going across the top 

of the falls wherein vehicles pass going to Tinago 

Resort and Pataan Resort. One interesting part 

of the Kipot Twin Falls is the 220 steps down 

a winding stairs from the gateway down to the 

falls… The stairway starts from a wide downhill 

path to a slim alley hugging the mountain side. 

If you do not want to traverse the 220 steps, the 

resort has a viewing deck which offers a great view 

of the falls. There is no canteen so make sure you 

bring food and water with you. Being a treasure 

to the locals of Bago City vast improvements 

have been made so more people can enjoy the 

magnificence of these falls. 

Chicken Inasal 

The chicken inasal is a popular dish from the City 

of Bacolod, Philippines. Unlike the usual barbecue 

or grilled chicken that uses soy sauce, this dish 

uses different ingredients for its marinade and 

basting sauce that create a unique flavor. Key to 

this unique flavor is the native coconut vinegar 

and calamansi (local lime fruit) which gives it the 

distinct taste and smell that only an authentic 

Bacolod chicken inasal is known for. The smoked 

flavor added by cooking the meat on a hot charcoal

51


Balay Negrense, 

the ancestral house 

of Victor Fernandez 

Gaston 

52 

Jalandoni’s ancestral pink house along Rizal street 

Old world building in Silay City 

jetsetterasia.com 

jetsetterasia.com 

grill imbibes the marinade and makes the dish 

tastier. This dish is also distinct for its yellowish 

color brought about by the application of achuete. 

Situated near SM Bacolod is the chicken BBQ area 

there are many restaurants to choose from serving 

this delicious chicken to the many thousands of 

locals and tourists every day. 

Silay City 

Founded in 1760, Silay evolved from being an 

old Spanish settlement. Migrant families from 

Iloilo gave vigor to Silay, making it an important 

commercial and agricultural settlement during 

the Spanish era. In 1846, cultivation of sugarcane 

led by Yves Leopold Germain Gaston made the 

town prosperous. November 5, 1898 played 

a significant role in Silay’s history. Sugarcane 

workers attacked the Spanish garrison and 

made the Spaniards surrender peacefully. It was 

a bloodless revolution. The Philippine flag was 

raised for the first time at the public plaza. Silay, 

famous for its artists and cultural shows, became 

the “Paris of Negros”. Kahirup Theater was the 

center of these activities. Jose “Pitong” Ledesma, 

a Silaynon pianist, conductor and philanthropist 

was one of those responsible for inviting operatta 

and zarzuela performers from Europe. Silay is the 

second town in Negros Occidental to become a 

city on June 12, 1957. A local legend tells of how 

Silay City got its name. It is said that in the days 

of the datus and rajahs, there once lived a princess 

named Kansilay. An attack on the settlement by 

pirates was thwarted when the princess bravely led

53


Melkens Seafood 

Restaurant in 

Balaring 

Bacolod-Silay 

International Airport 

54 

Airy welcome 

sign to Brgy. 

Balaring 

the people in the village’s defense. The fight was 

furious and the princess fought like a seasoned 

warrior. Murals that used to grace some of the 

city’s public buildings depict her as a fierce fighter 

wielding a huge talibong, a short native singleedged 

sword. The pirates were routed, but at the 

cost of the princess’ life. Her paramour arrived in 

time to see her die. In grief, the people lovingly 

buried her. To their surprise, a tree grew right over 

her grave, the first Kansilay tree, a final gift from 

the brave princess. 

Silay is known as the “seat of arts, culture and 

eco-tourism” and is recognized by the Department 

of Tourism as one of the top destinations in the 

Philippines. Situated 14.5klms from Bacolod city, 

Silay is also the home of the new international 

airport, constructed at a cost of P4.75 billion and 

became fully operational in 2007. Commercial 

airlines operating in the Bacolod-Silay 

International Airport are Philippine Airlines, Cebu 

Pacific Air, PAL Express, Zest Airways and South 

East Asian Airlines. 

There are 31 ancestral homes in Silay identified 

by the National Historical Institute as cultural 

landmarks. 

Like the Balay Negrense ancestral mansion of 

the Gastons that was converted into a lifestyle 

museum showing how sugar planters lived at the 

beginning of the century. Located in Cinco de 

Noviembre Street the Museum is open from 10:00 

a.m to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. 

For the most sumptuous seafood meals, a visit to 

Barangay Balaring is a must. This coastal barangay 

is just a few kilometers away from the city proper. 

If you are coming from the main city, just take the 

en.wikipedia.org

Kayak Racing in 

Palompon 

tricycle and tell them to bring you to Balaring. 

There are numerous seafood restaurants along 

the foreshore like Melkens where we had lunch. 

The restaurant is constructed of bamboo and is 

overlooking the bay, the food is delicious and the 

atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing. 

Victorias 

Just forty five minutes by car from Bacolod, 

Victorias is considered the Sugar Capitol of 

Negros Occidental, and is where Victorias Milling 

Company, is situated, and is the world’s largest 

integrated sugar mill, sitting on a 7,000 hectares 

(17,000 acres) compound that makes it the 

Philippine’s largest sugar refinery. 

Within the Victorias Milling Company’s complex is 

the St. Joseph the Worker Chapel, a masterpiece 

considered the first example of modern sacral 

architecture in the Philippines and raised to the 

status of Important Cultural Property by the 

Sugar country 

National Museum of the Philippines in 2015. 

The chapel was designed by the famous Czech 

Architect Antonín Raymond. 

Its mural of the Angry Christ painted by 

international artist Alfonso Ossorio. The mural 

has been featured in various publications like Life 

Magazine. Its fierce, vivid colors gave the church 

its most known name as the “Angry Christ Church” 

In the year 1954 Victorias Golf & Country Club 

opens. The golf club is only one of the subsidiaries 

of the diverse business portfolio of the Victorias 

Milling Company, Inc. 

Victorias Golf & Country Club is divided into two 

nine hole courses. The front nine of this course 

has long, straight, and narrow fairways. The back 

nine has rolling fairways, ravines and an island 

green. Playing around at Victoria’s Golf & Country 

Club will truly be an exciting experience. There are 

three different types and lengths of courses in the 

club to suit different players needs and skills. The 

Entrance to 

Victorias Milling 

Company complex 

philippines-life.com 

flongology.wordpress.com 

55


56 

Church of the 

cartwheels 

Interior of Chuch 

of Cartwheels 

Blue course that is 6.725 yards, White course that 

has 6,360, and the Red course which has 5,647 

yards. 

The golf club has different facilities to 

accommodate players’ further comfort and 

playing needs. These facilities include driving 

range, practice putting green, and tee houses on 

the fairways. The clubhouse of the course has a 

restaurant, function room, male and female locker 

and shower facilities. It is a private club that 

requires either the players’ to be a member or to 

be endorsed by a member to play in the course. 

The city celebrates the Kadalag-an Festival which 

is an Annual Charter Anniversary every 21st day 

of March and an Annual Fiesta every 26th day of 

April called the “Malihaw Festival”. 

The City also celebrates the KALAMAYAN FESTIVAL 

every month of December. Kalamayan Festival, 

the sweetest Christmas celebration of Victorias, 

intends to give back to Victoriahanons and spread 

the Yuletide spirit. The word Kalamayan, depicts 

what Victorias is known for, its “kalamay” or 

refined sugar and its sugar industry, the Victorias 

benjielayug.com 

Milling Company. The festival also pays tribute to 

the sugar farmers and all Victoriahanons who in 

one way or another had given their share in the 

City’s sweet progress. 

Church of Cartwheels Manapla 

Situated at the field behind the Gaston Mansion, 

Manapla, is the hacienda’s unique cartwheel 

chapel. Built during the hacienda days of the 

1960s, it is probably the most native-looking of all 

Philippine churches. 

Built by secular priest Msgr. Guillermo “Gigi” 

Gaston for the farm’s workers, its farming motif is 

reflected in its facade made mainly from various 

farm implements including plows, mortar (candle 

holders) and pestles (a holy water container), all 

indigenous to Hacienda Rosalia, as well as margaha 

sand and rocks from the nearby seashore. The 

chapel’s benches were each made with slabs of 

hardwood by families who attended the mass. Its 

tall roof is a stylized wooden salakot (headgear) 

and the walls are made of artistically-linked 

discarded carabao cartwheels, an idea thought of 

by Msgr. Gaston who knew that the farm workers 

and their families could easily relate to this simple 

but widely used object in the farms where they 

worked. The cartwheel also symbolizes the Holy 

Trinity with God the Father as the center of the 

wheel; Jesus Christ as the spokes surrounding it, 

leading the people towards God; and the Holy 

Spirit as the outer rim who ensures that the people 

don’t get lost on their way towards the center. A 

huge, centuries-old boulder serves as the altar 

and the wall behind it is made of native stone and 

punctured by 3 cartwheel-shaped stained glass 

windows (representing God the Father, God the 

Son and God the Holy Spirit) with broken pieces

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57


58 

Sipalay beach 

of glass bottles (wine, milk and soda) in different 

colors, giving the altar a more creative and lively 

look. Boulders were also used as the podium top 

and seats for the sacristans. A huge, centuriesold 

boulder serves as the altar and the wall 

behind it is made of native stone and punctured 

by 3 cartwheel-shaped stained glass windows 

(representing God the Father, God the Son and 

God the Holy Spirit) with broken pieces of glass 

bottles (wine, milk and soda) in different colors, 

giving the altar a more creative and lively look. 

Boulders were also used as the podium top and 

seats for the sacristans. The sliding doors feature 

mats of 128 panels portraying Biblical events 

and the usual Christ on the cross is modified by a 

farmer crucified on a cartwheel. Masses, attended 

by hacienda farm workers and their families, are 

still being held in the chapel. The chapel, also open 

to guests and tourists who visit the town, is also a 

popular venue for weddings. 

Sipalay 

Sipalay got its name from the old native phrase si 

palay meaning ‘there is rice’. Chinese traders, who 

were not able to pronounce the ‘R’ in the local word 

Paray are believed to have helped disseminate the 

name Sipalay as rice abundantly grows in the area 

and is freely traded. 

The original natives of Sipalay were the 

“tumandoks “, perhaps with Malay or Bornean 

roots . Immigrants from Panay Island joined them 

later. These were families who ventured out to 

the sea to escape the oppressive Spanish feudal 

system and found a new home in the paradise that 

is today Sipalay. 

With unflinching political will, its local officials 

spearheaded by the Municipal Mayor then, led 

Sipalay to recovery and caused it to raise high 

above the economic setbacks and bloody turmoil 

of a low intensity civil war. Not only were revenue 

surpluses generated starting 1989, but also for 

the next eight consecutive years, the surpluses 

continued to rise. The peace and order situation, 

as it were, was somehow cajoled to a level allowing 

people’s lives and business to go back to “normal”. 

Amazingly, some investments, particularly in 

tourism development, flowed in. 

tourism.negros-occ.gov.ph

Sipalay is a tempting hideaway for adventure 

travelers, divers, and beachcombers. Its relatively 

unspoiled environment is a beauty to behold. 

Located in the southwestern part of Negros 

Island, the cities of Bacolod and Dumaguete are its 

entry points. 

Bounded by the rich Sulu Sea on the west, Sipalay 

boasts of its forty-two (42) dive sites including the 

shipwreck of S/S Panay that sunk during World War II. 

Numerous caves abound in the coastal and upland 

areas. The magnificent formations of stalactites 

and stalagmites and other cave resources are 

waiting to be assessed for proper protection and 

identification of their appropriate usage geared 

towards sustainability. 

For a relaxing retreat, adventure trip, or eco-tour, 

the resorts dotting the beaches of Nauhang (Sugar 

Beach) and Punta Ballo are just the place to go. 

The Marine Protected Area is just a few minutes boat 

ride from the city proper. It was established in 2001 

after the survey and as declared by the Philippine 

Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation. 

Campomanes Bay, which is part of the protected area, 

hosts the city’s Eco- port and two shipwreck sites. 

Learn archery with 

Easy Dive 

Artistic Dive 

59


60 

Divers from 

Easy Diving 

getting ready 

for a dive 

Pasaway sa Sipalay, a copper festival, is celebrated 

every last week of March marking the Charter 

Anniversary of the city. It features street dancing 

and merry making by performers from seventeen 

barangays of the city clad in exotic costumes in 

the semblance of copper minerals. 

Sipalay is aspiring to be the premier tourist 

destination in Southern Negros and is intensifying 

its effort in getting ready to manage the future 

influx of tourists towards sustainable tourism. It 

aims to establish and strengthen the image of the 

city. Sipalay is a divers paradise. The coastline has 

excellent areas for snorkeling while scuba diving 

thrives in 42 diving spots. A short description of 

some of the many dive sites are: Kevin;s Reef, a 

nice reef with a big anchor at 9m. Depth: up to 

25m. A-Rock, a coral reef with white sand-banks. 

Depth:10-18m. Great Canyons isa labyrinth of 

glens of extra class. Excellent for night dives. 

Depth: 6-15m. 

Disneyland, An easy diving ground, with corals 

and white sand. With some of the best conditions 

for dive training. Depth: 5-12m. 

Toscanna Reef, A Beautiful Coral Reef 

Depth: 6-28 m 

The Coca-Cola wreck. The Crew of Easy Diving 

found a new wreck in Sipalay after a search of 

nearly one year. On January 30th 2004 they found 

in the bay of Campomanes a freighter that sunk 

some 25 years ago. The freight was bottled soft 

drinks. We know now how Coca-cola bottle looked 

like 25 years ago as the freighter was a Coca-Cola 

freighter although everyone believed it has been a 

Pepsi freighter. This was an astonishing adventure 

for Easy Dive who will continue examining and 

mapping the wreck. 

MS Jojo is a two-mast freighter sunk in 1980. It 

is possible to dive into the cargo compartment. 

Many scorpion and batfishes. Whale sharks have 

also been sighted in the area. Depth: upper 22m. 

Lower 33m. 

SS Panay, an American warship from WW II. It was 

sunk by Japanese torpedoes in March 1942. The 

point of entry can still be seen today. You can 

see gasmasks and filters in various rooms. Depth: 

upper 33m, lower 41m. 

Juliens Wreck, consists of three small freight ships 

that run a-ground on Julien’s reef. This diving 

ground that can also be explored by snorkeling. 

There are also many precipices such as Da-West 

that has a direct descend to 33m. There are lots of 

big fish such as barracudas, tunas and also sharks. 

This is a top diving ground with giant gorgonas. 

The reef ground is at 45m. Ma-asin Islands is 

one of the most beautiful coral reefs in Sipalay. 

Starting from 5m descending to 25m. With table 

corals, whip corals, soft corals etc. just to name a few. 

There are many resorts in Sipalay offering a huge 

variety of diving safaris and many other activities 

for non-divers as well. One on the top in this class 

is the easy diving resort and the owner has had 

seventeen years’ experience in the area, and ha 

the knowledge to give you a holiday and diving 

experience you will never forget. Another top dive 

resort is the Artistic Dive resort. 

There are also many other activities available 

in Sipilay such as Archery, trekking caves and 

waterfalls to see in this magical place.

61


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Where to Stay 

While in Bacolod there are many hotels to 

choose from, ranging from 5 star to budget 

accommodations. One of the best for the budget 

conscious is the Pleasant Travellers Inn with wellappointed 

rooms that include hot water, cable TV 

and Wi-Fi from P900 per night. In Sipa lay the 

choices are many with the top places being places 

like the Easy Dive and Artistic Dive, but with so 

many to choose from your choices are plentiful. 

Where to Eat 

Where ever you are in Negros Occidental there is 

a vast selection from silver service to traditional 

Filipino dishes. When travelling I prefer the more 

traditional places like the chicken BBQ in Bacolod 

and the Seafood at Balalring in Silay. Most of the 

resorts in Sipalay have a menu to please even the 

most discerning palette. 

How to Get There 

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, PAL Express, 

Zest Airways and South East Asian Airlines. Have 

regular flights to Silay Airport in Bacolod from 

Manila and Cebu. 2Go shipping line has a regular 

schedule from Manila if you wish to travel by ferry. 

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to please everyone. There is some much to see and 

do from the fun of the Campuestohan Highland 

Resort, the nostalgic houses at Silay, unique 

churches, golfing at Victorias to diving at Sipalay, 

this majestic island has something for everyone. 

Personally I cannot wait to make a return visit. 

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62

Rolex China Sea Race 

Launches New Official Website 

Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club today unveiled 

its new official website and logo for its 

flagship event, the biennial Rolex China Sea 

Race - Asia’s principal blue-water classic. 

The Rolex China Sea Race is Asia’s oldest 

Category 1 Offshore Race and has been awarded 

several accolades including Asian Regatta of the 

Year at the Asia Boating Awards. Competing 

yachts cross the start line in Hong Kong’s iconic 

Victoria Harbour; negotiating both traditional 

and modern sea traffic before embarking on the 

open water section of the 565nm course to Subic 

Bay in the Philippines. The Race finishes with 

gentle wind, adding to the challenging test of 

seamanship. 

With Wang Bin’s Swan 82 UBOX making its debut 

entry for China in the 2016 edition of the Race, 

and in recognition of the importance of the 

ever-increasing interest in yacht racing in China, 

the Notice of Race is offered in both English and 

Chinese, as are key areas of the website. 

The new website also features video highlights of 

past races and an honour roll of winners dating 

back to the first Race held 55 years ago when in 

1962 Reverie took Line Honours after six days of 

racing. Line Honours winners include a veritable 

who’s who of sailing; Karl Kwok’s Beau Geste, 

Neil Pryde’s Hi Fi, Frank Pong’s Jelik and Syd 

Fischer’s Ragamuffin 90, amongst others. 

There is also a photo gallery and access to 

the 2016 race tracker which will switch to live 

tracking once the 2018 Race begins. 

The 2016 edition saw an entry list of 34 boats 

from seven countries including two from 

Mainland China and a double-handed entry. 

Phillip Turner’s RP66, Alive, claimed Line 

Honours and set a new race record with a time 

of 47h 31m 08s - 11 minutes and 59 seconds 

inside the previous record held by Karl Kwok’s 

Beau Geste for 16 years. 

The Notice of Race for the 2018 Rolex China 

Sea Race starting on 28 March 2018 is available 

online at www.rolexchinasearace.com. 

The new 

website also 

features video 

highlights of 

past races and 

an honour roll 

of winners 

dating back to 

the first Race 

held 55 years 

ago when in 

1962 Reverie 

took Line 

Honours after 

six days of 

racing. 

Words by 

RHKY 

Photographs 

as credited 

63

Large MoM 

GA Bass 

Forecast 

Lake Caliraya 

for bass fishing 

64

outh Bass 

in the Philippines 

While the Large Mouth Bass, a species of fish 

native to North America, are not widely 

known as delectable to the palate they are quite a 

good table fare if properly cleaned while still alive. It is 

said by many that the flesh is rather coarse with a very 

strong fishy taste but if they are fried until the meat 

flakes and not overcooked, they are quite an enjoyable 

dish. The most important undertaking in creating a 

palatable seafood meal of Bass is to remove all traces 

of skin before cooking as this is what contaminates 

the flesh with that potent fishy flavor while frying. 

Putting the pros and cons of its value to the menu 

aside, the Wide Mouth Bass is zealously sought after 

by game fishermen worldwide for the exhilarating 

fight they provide, often leaping into the air in an 

effort to dislodge the hook. 

Large Mouth Bass can be found in a few locations in 

the Philippines but are present in large numbers in 

the man made lakes of Pantabangan in the province 

of Nueva Ecija and Lumot and Caliraya in Laguna, in 

fact Caliraya is commonly touted as the Bass capital 

of the Philippines. Bass fishing tournaments on 

Pantabangan and Caliraya are regularly featured. 

Large Mouth Bass were seeded into these three lakes 

by Americans in 1907 as a food and sports fish and 

restocked in 1915 and 1958. They have spawned and 

reproduced in these waters and now thrive in large 

numbers in all three lakes. Bass have also been released 

into ponds and rivers in surrounding areas of these 

lakes, providing an abundance of fruitful fishing spots. 

The same tackle and methods that are effective 

elsewhere in the world are just as useful in the 

Philippines, however for most of the year surface fishing 

is ineffective due to the heat and Bass rarely venture to 

the surface, preferring to stay on the floor in the cooler 

water for their diet of smaller fish, snails, crayfish, frogs, 

snakes and even baby alligator. The best months for 

chasing Bass in the Philippines is from November to 

February although they can be caught all year round 

with Bass fry (baby bass) being sighted in the lakes all 

year around. 

Large Mouth Bass seem to have adapted themselves 

to the different environments of each lake and the 

fish in each lake have their own behavioral patterns. In 

general, though, they are an antisocial creature, only 

congregating in areas of abundant food. They generally 

hide between rocks and vegetation or under limbs of 

fallen trees, hitting their quarry from the darkness. 

Boats and fishing tackle can be rented from many 

hotels around these lakes and there is always 

someone willing to point you toward the best spots, 

in particular Caliraya Lake has many hotels that make 

the hiring of gear for your prize catch of Bass easy. 

So if sports fishing is your game and Wide Mouth Bass 

is your aim, lakes Pantabangan, Lumot or Caliraya 

should definitely be your destination of endeavor. 

Large Mouth 

Bass were 

seeded into 

these three 

lakes by 

Americans in 

1907 as a food 

and sports fish 

and restocked 

in 1915 and 

1958. 

Words by 

JAMES 

WEBSTER 

Photographs 

as credited 

Bass strike 

65

Hobie 

DISASTER 

66 

Lake Caliraya fishing

STRIKES THE 2017 

CHALLENGE 

One of the most prestigious and challenging 

sailing events in the Philippines is the 

annual Hobie Challenge, a 250 plus nautical 

mile race spread over five days visiting different 

islands on the journey. Sailors come from all over 

the world to be part of the best small cat sailing 

events in Asia. 

Part of the event also includes the outreach 

program which donates substantial gifts of 

much needed school needs to the schools on 

these islands that because of the distance and 

available finance are badly needed. 

This year it was doomed to failure, not because of 

the organizers, who each year do an outstanding 

job to have the multitude of tasks in place so the 

event runs quite smoothly, but because of the 

increment weather that was not expected. 

The challenge started out quite well with 

excitement build as the Pico Point sponsors 

welcomed all at their beautiful resort on Pico 

Beach, Hamilo, Punta Fuego this February 11th. 

But it seemed like right from the start the wind 

gods were against them. 

The first day of racing is an inshore race just 

to get settled in before the main event started 

on the Monday morning. Everyone was keen to 

get going in the fairly goods winds blowing at 

the time, although somewhat ruly and changing 

direction, the kept Jerry Rollin on his toes, but 

as they stared to race at quite a brisk speed, 

Because of 

high prevailing 

winds, the 

vessel drifted 

approximately 

34.5 nautical 

miles in a 

south westerly 

direction for 14 

hours before 

receiving 

assistance 

from a passing 

commercial 

ship. 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

67

the wind suddenly dropped leaving the hobies 

floundering without so much as a gentle breeze, 

staying this way for quite some time forcing 

Jerry to call the race off as a non-event. 

On the Monday all was well as they headed out to 

sea on the first leg of the challenge, to Kansulit, 

which went without a hitch, The second leg to 

Apo reef was cancelled due to harsh conditions. 

So it was decided to break up H16s today and 

load bangkas for direct delivery to Busuanga for 

reassembly there tomorrow. 

The sailing contingent to remain at Kansulit 

again and planned to distribute the fifty strong 

contingent amongst the rally support fleet for 

transport to Busuanga the following day. In 

anticipation of sustained difficult conditions 

along Calavite strait: 1) M/V Isla was departing 

11pm Tuesday for Busuanga with 15 of the 

sailors. Poseidon big Bangka leaves 3am 

Wednesday with Rally fleet members of 22 and 

10 sailors. Kerida also 10, as well as Cariño 10, 

David Wheeler of Freewheeler took 4 leaving at 

630am Wednesday. The luggage boat is loaded 

and departs midday together. 

Everyone thought that all would be fine but 

alas this was not to be as the Poseidon a 21 

meter Bangka loaded with all the luggage and 

documents along with the outreach donations for 

the schools, encountered mechanical problems in 

68

heavy seas off Calavite, Mindoro approximately 

10.5 nautical miles south of Lubang Island. 

Because of high prevailing winds, the vessel 

drifted approximately 34.5 nautical miles in 

a south westerly direction for 14 hours before 

receiving assistance from a passing commercial 

ship. All personnel on board were safely rescued 

at about 4am February 16th. The vessel was 

then unmanned and proceeded to drift due to 

the prevailing winds and wave conditions. 

Unfortunately, the officer who was in charge of 

the tracking devices failed to activate one and 

leave it aboard the vessel. So despite repeated 

attempts from 16th to 18th of February to 

locate the vessel it has not been found. The 

vessel could be drifting westward into the West 

Philippine Sea, along the western coast of 

Busuanga. In the event if the vessel is beached 

or recovered by third parties advise to Phinsaf. 

Any related recovery fees will be paid for, and 

a monetary reward will be offered and made to 

the assisting party if the vessel and its contents 

remain intact. 

The sailors spent a few days in Busuanga 

relaxing after the ordeal and returned to Manila 

after a thwarted challenge. It was rewarding to 

see that this did not deter any of the sailors 

from returning next year for an even bigger and 

better 18th Hobie Challenge. 

69

Doing it the Milky Way 

When it comes 

to talking 

about sailing 

instruction 

she’s not shy 

about her 

preference for 

teaching girls. 

“They tend 

to be more 

focused than 

the boys,” she 

says. 

Words by 

PGYC 

Photographs 

as credited 

Left photo, Milky 

From a 9 year old junior sailor to a full time 

sailing instructor at the age of 19, Milky has 

a simple recipe for success: “Stay focused,” she says. 

Milky came up through the ranks of Puerto Galera 

Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing Program and now works 

for the club teaching the next generation of sailors. 

She began her career in Larwin class dinghies and 

found herself on the winners’ podium by the age of 

just 12. 

But her skills are not limited to just sailing. She’s 

competent in most aspects of maintaining small 

craft and is a dab hand at fiber glassing, painting 

and varnishing. 

Born and bred in Puerto Galera, Milky is an inspiration 

to the club’s junior sailor, many of who come from 

underprivileged backgrounds. 

When it comes to talking about sailing instruction 

she’s not shy about her preference for teaching girls. 

Milky and one of her start students Orly pictured on right 

“They tend to be more focused than the boys,” she 

says. 

Proof of this is found in one of Milky’s star students, 

none other than her cousin, Orlyn Abilla, who won 

the open Larwin Class in this year’s All Souls junior 

regatta. 

Milky’s racing skills are not just limited to junior class 

dinghies, she’s competent in the Olympic 470 class 

in which she competed in the Philippine National 

Games. 

And of course the sky is limited when you have 

Milky’s kind of ambition. 

“My dream is to one day represent the Philippines in 

the Olympics,”she says. 

And that dream of Olympic gold is not impossible 

because very often in the world, of sailing dreams 

really do come true.

71

Sailing Tips 

All the 

equipment 

should be 

checked 

before sailing 

and there 

should be 

adequate 

spares on 

board, as 

well as all the 

navigation 

and safety 

equipment 

needed. 

You’ve always been interested to sail, but you know little about boat parts, the confusing technobabble, 

and what little you know is making your head spin in four different directions! Worry no 

more. This continuing series of articles is for you: it covers tips regarding hardware present on most boats, 

as well as common sailing techniques, terms and definitions, the names of the different pieces of hardware, 

and much more. This will keep you informed about most things you will need before you begin your own 

sailing excursion. Be sure to consult with an experienced sailor and someone knowlegeable about boats. 

Article 

excerpts 

reprinted 

from 

the book 

CRUISER 

HANDLING 

by BOB BOND 

& STEVE 

SLEIGHT 

Donnybrook Personal 

Safety Equipment 

If you are skippering a boat, the enjoyment you get 

out of your sailing will be directly related to your 

ability to plan your cruising with care, forethought 

and common sense. In your first sailing season, if you 

are a novice boat skipper, you will probably begin by 

making day trips and, as you gain experience and 

confidence, you may venture further afield. 

One of the prime considerations when planning a 

cruise is the size of your crew and its suitability for 

your boat. When day-sailing, this is not particularly 

important, but as soon as you begin to undertake 

longer voyages, you must think very carefully 

about the composition of your crew. Some of them 

must be experienced enough to stand in for you 

as skipper, particularly if you are sailing at night, 

and you must be able to rely on them carrying out 

your instructions properly, and to use their initiative 

when necessary. 

72 

Always make sure that an unfamiliar crew is properly 

briefed; that they know what clothing to bring,

Planning a Cruise 

Dry goods locker storage 

Make sure you have 

ample provisions 

Stored Snack Foods 

what safety equipment you have on board and 

what your passage plan is. Take care when making a 

passage plan that you do not demand to much from 

an inexperienced crew. You must explain before 

setting off how the equipment works, and once 

sailing, what you want them to do, in non-nautical 

language if necessary, without treating them as 

though they were idiots! If they make mistakes, try 

hard not to hurl abuse at them. You will only sap 

their confidence and more errors will occur. If you do 

lose your temper, apologize afterwards and explain 

why it was so important that they followed your 

instructions carefully. 

If you happen to be the inexperienced crew member, 

or even a more experienced one, remember that 

there is only room for one skipper on board. Don’t 

contradict the skipper or argue about methods 

unless you have an excellent reason. If you really 

think the skipper is endangering your life, say so 

and ask to be put ashore. 

As far as the boat is concerned, it must be seaworthy, 

clean and in good working order. All the equipment 

should be checked before sailing and there should 

be adequate spares on board, as well as all the 

navigation and safety equipment needed. The fuel, 

food and water should be properly organized for the 

trip, and nothing should be left to chance. 

If you can follow these instructions you will avoid 

the usual problems that most skippers and crew face 

from time to time, and you will probably be unique! 

Coastguard Services 

In most countries rescue operations at sea are 

coordinated by the coastguard service. Most of them 

operate a system whereby the skipper of a boat can 

fill in a pre-paid card, obtainable from coastguard 

stations, yacht clubs or harbor master’s offices, on 

which details of your boat, base, destination, and 

intended course are filled in. You send it to your 

local coastguard station before sailing. The form 

also has a tear-off section which you can send to a 

relative or a friend so they could contact the relevant 

coastguard station if you fail to make port by the 

estimated time of arrival (plus some leeway). If you 

change your plans when under way, having filled in 

one of these forms, you must notify the coastguard 

by VHF radio or shore telephone to inform them of 

any changes of plans so they can keep an accurate 

check on your movements. As soon as you arrive, 

inform them that you have done so, if you do not a 

search will be put into operation. It is a very useful 

service, and helps the coastguard as well as you, if 

you are reported missing. 

Provisioning 

Provisioning the boat requires an organized mind, 

and one person in charge of both buying and 

storing the goods. Usually the skipper does it, but 

he can appoint someone else. You will need to see 

that everything for the trip-from food to the first 

aid kit, is on board, and it is a responsible job. If 

you are going to be cruising away from shore for 

several days, you will need a carefully worked out 

menu plan so that fresh food does not go bad. 

Buy more than you need to allow for any passage 

plan changes. Fresh perishable food should be 

stored in the coldest lockers. If possible, prepare a 

couple of meals at home that only need reheating, 

to give yourself less to do at sea on the first day 

or days. Try to plan menus that are nourishing and 

energy-giving, and which can be prepared easily on 

whatever type of cooker is available. Always aim to 

start the day with a decent breakfast, and make sure 

you have ingredients on board for hot snacks, for the 

times when weather may make it difficult to cook 

proper meals. Keep some high energy food in plastic 

containers, biscuits and chocolate for example. 

73

74

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75

With 18 

yachts from 

Philippines, 

Hong Kong, 

Australia and 

Germany 

the stage 

was set for 

a great start 

to the 2017 

Philippine 

Sailing Grand 

Prix. 

I 

Dateline: Subic 

f ever there was any doubt about the importance 

Subic Bay has on the annual sailing calendar 

that doubt was erased earlier this year. Sailors from 

different countries gathered in Subic Bay ready and 

anxious to compete in the 2017 Subic to Boracay and 

the Boracay Cup, part of the Philippine Grand Prix 

Sailing, and one of the most awaited and popular 

yacht races in the country that puts Subic Bay on 

the radar of the international sailing community. 

First in the Subic Sailing triumvirate was the eight 

running of the Standard Insurance ‘Subic Bay to 

Boracay’ race, which began on February 18th, and 

not long after the boats sailed majestically into 

Boracay it was time for the annual ‘Boracay Cup 

Regatta’, which ended on Febuary 24th . Later, 

on these enthusiastic sailors will be ready for the 

Commodores Cup run in Conjuction with the Rolex 

China to San Fernando race. 

Words & 

photographs 

by: BARRY 

DAWSON 

Standard Insu 

Subic to to Boracay 

76

These races are part of the prestigious Asian Yachting 

Grand Prix circuit to coincide with the arrival of the 

yachts competing in the Rolex Hong Kong to Subic 

Race in late March. 

The Subic Bay to Boracay Race & Boracay Cup 

Regatta, which was nominated as one of the Best 

Asian Regattas at the recent 12th Asia Boating 

Awards, brought nothing but smiles to sailors who 

participated. With warm, sunny conditions and strong 

consistent north easterly trade winds combined with 

challenging courses and exceptionally good racing 

conditions in one of the most delightful tropical 

paradises found in the Philippines. 

With 18 yachts from Philippines, Hong Kong, 

Australia and Germany the stage was set for a great 

start to the 2017 Philippine Sailing Grand Prix. With 

urance 2017 

y & Boracay Cup 

77

excellent sailing conditions the race went smoothly 

and the great race from Subic Bay was enjoyed by all 

who took part. On arrival in Boracay it was fun and 

relaxation for a few days before the Boracay Cup was 

staged, where again good sailing conditions were 

experienced by all. 

Circuit, culminating in one of the best Grand Prix so 

far. The twists and turns over the four days of good 

sailing weather on flat water did not diminish the 

desire to compete for the top prize. The close races 

and being caught in the wind shadows of bigger 

boats has juggled the placing on the final races and 

ultimately was the basis for crowning the overall 

winner. 

With all these developments, it’s no surprise that the 

Philippine Sailing Grand Prix will continue to make 

waves in the sailing world. 

Subic-Boracay Results: 

IRC. 1 1st Standard Insurance Centennial III, 

2nd Karakoa, 3rd Antipodes 

Race 2 1st Black Baza, 2nd Mandrake, 

3rd Sabad 

Cruising 1st Bella Uno, 2nd Mermaid 

Asia Pacific, 3rd Sea Song. 

Line Honors Scallywag 

On arriving in Boracay it was a well-earned rest 

before starting the 4 days of racing in the Boracay 

Cup., with the ever formidable Jerry Rolin as Race 

Master. Each day, seen some excellent racing by 

all. Each night the evening was celebrated on the 

shores of the Boracay Beach, where the famous 

78

79

Tanduay awards were given for the days racing. On 

the first night celebrations were held at the Sandbar 

in Station 1, where drinks and finger foods were the 

order of the day while the awards were given out. 

The following morning after a hearty breakfast it 

was into the fray again with solid merriment again 

enjoyed in the evening this time by the magnificent 

Sea Wind Resort, which was also the race office, 

with generous support of the owners Roberto and 

Gloria. A sumptuous Dinner was served sponsored 

by Standard Insurance the insurance company that 

is always there for you. The food was delicious and 

the beer cold. On the third day of racing the seas 

were a bit too choppy for one of the spectators on 

the committee boat, who was slightly green in color. 

But with slightly stronger winds, they were off to a 

flying start. After a hard day of racing it was back 

to the Sea wind again for another mouthwatering 

buffet and the ever popular Tanduay awards. Friday 

seen the final days racing with the awards dinner 

being at the Sea Wind to the appreciation of all for 

again the delicious food served, washed down with 

some ice cold beer. 

Final Day Winners Were: 

IRC 1 1st Karakoa. 2nd Standard 

Insurance Centennial III, 3rd. Jelik 

IRC 2 1st Black Bazza, 2nd Ramrod, 

3rd Selma Star. 

Cruising Class 1st Bella Uno, 2nd Mermaid, 

3rd Sea song 

80 

To learn more about the upcoming races in the 

Philippine Sailing Grand Prix, check Active Boating 

and Watersports., www.subicsailing.com.

81

PHILIPPINE 

COAST GUARD 

LCDR Roland 

Domingo at 

recruitment seminar 

Rama Beach 

Far right: Coast 

Guard at the 6th 

Lifesaving Challenge 

Zambales 

Training 

of these 

young and 

enthusiastic 

Lifesavers is 

in accordance 

with the rules 

of the coast 

guard and all 

training and 

certification of 

life guards is 

approved by 

the Philippine 

Coast Guard. 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

A Philippine Coast 

Guard personnel 

rescuing a flood 

victim-Photocredit: 

newsinfo inquirer.net 

The Philippine Coast Guard is the oldest and 

only humanitarian armed service in the 

Philippines. Its beginnings could be traced back to 

the early 20th century when coast guarding was 

related to the protection of the customs services 

of the country and in patrolling the coastlines and 

harbors. 

The Philippine Coast Guard’s major command 

units include the Coast Guard Fleet (CGFLEET) 

[formerly known as the Coast Guard Operating 

Forces (CGOF)], the Maritime Security & Law 

Enforcement Command, Marine Environmental 

Protection Command (MEPCOM), Maritime Safety 

Services Command (MSSC) [formerly known as Aids 

to Navigation Command (ANC)], and the Coast 

Guard Education and Training Command (CGETC). 

Among said major units, the largest of which is 

the CGFLEET which has supervision over the Coast 

Guard Ready Force (Ships and other small crafts), 

Coast Guard Aviation Group and the Coast Guard 

Special Operations Group. 

The PCG used to be with the Armed Forces of the 

Philippines under the Philippine Navy before it was 

transferred to the Department of Transportation and 

Communication or the DOTC. 

The PCG is considered as the third armed and 

uniformed service of the country primarily tasked 

with enforcing all applicable laws within the 

Philippine waters, conducting maritime security 

operations, safeguarding of life and property at sea 

and protecting the marine environment and resources. 

Due to the M/V Super Ferry 14 bombing incident in 

2004, the PCG activated the Task Force Sea Marshals 

a composite team from the PCG, AFP and Philippine 

National Police. These Sea Marshals ride on many 

passenger ferries traveling to and from Manila, and 

maintain a security presence aboard these ferries. 

Other Important roles are the of the coast guard is 

encouraging and training new recruits and the active 

involvement of lifesavers training for complete 

water safety in the Philippines. Training of these 

young and enthusiastic Lifesavers is in accordance 

with the rules of the coast guard and all training 

and certification of life guards is approved by the 

Philippine Coast Guard, the controlling body of life 

guards in the Philippines. 

The importance of safety in Philippine waters is 

of top priority and ABW salute the efforts of the 

Philippine Coast Guard. 

82

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83

84

ABW March 2017 -1

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