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CHAIRMAN’S CUP REGATTA <strong>2019</strong><br />
SUBIC TO VERDE ISLAND<br />
HOBIE NATIONALS CHAMPIONSHIP <strong>2019</strong><br />
EASTER REGATTA<br />
TOP OF THE GULF REGATTA<br />
PARAW REGATTA<br />
EVOLUTION OF FISH<br />
AQUA PLANET WATERPARK<br />
Bali 4.3 MY #1<br />
Power Catamaran<br />
page 8<br />
Destination<br />
EXCITING BICOL<br />
JUN <strong>2019</strong> Vol. VIII Issue 2<br />
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3
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK<br />
Already we are Halfway through the year and have achieved more<br />
milestones with the magazine. Now over 100 pages and still growing<br />
it has been an exciting time for <strong>ABW</strong> staff , and talking about exciting<br />
our destination as referred to by Department of Tourism Regional<br />
Director of Region V Mr. Benjamin Santiago is Exciting Bicol, which is<br />
aptly named. This is the last part of Bicol we have to cover and again<br />
was exciting for us and we know when you visit the different places in<br />
Bicol you will also find this exciting.<br />
We also had the pleasure of being guests at the amazing Misibis Bay<br />
Resort, an experience everyone should enjoy at some time in your<br />
holiday plans. Daet tourism officer Bong Palma and his staff were<br />
also instrumental in making the feature exciting and invited us to be<br />
part of the 99th Camarines Norte Founding Anniversary with the 15th<br />
Bantayog Festival, which also was an exciting and amazing event.<br />
In our next edition we will be featuring Taytay in Palawan, a new and<br />
exciting place to visit, exposing all the great things on offer they have<br />
to entice you to their shores. We are also excited to be part of the<br />
growth of Sailing in the Philippines and look forward to Featuring the<br />
South East Asian Sea Games this coming November-December.<br />
WHAT’S INSIDE?<br />
Chairman”s Cup <strong>2019</strong> 6<br />
Catana Bali 4.3 MY #1 Power Catamaran 8<br />
Subic to Verde Island 14<br />
Seafront Residences Hobie Nationals 22<br />
Championship <strong>2019</strong><br />
The Evolution of Fish 28<br />
Puerto Galera Yacht Club PRA 34<br />
Easter Regatta<br />
Maritime Philippines<br />
The People, the Preservation and<br />
40<br />
the Profit<br />
Ocean Marina Top of the Gulf Regatta 44<br />
47th Iloilo Paraw Regatta 52<br />
Destination - EXCITING BICOL Misibis Bay 58<br />
Making Sailors that Sail 76<br />
Aqua Planet Waterpark 82<br />
Sailing Tips - Berthing 86<br />
8th Zambales Lifeguard Challenge 88<br />
Barry Dawson Editor<br />
Destination - EXCITING BICOL / Misibis Bay<br />
Bali 4.3 MY #1 Power Catamaran<br />
Cover photo by Christophe Breschi<br />
4<br />
Published quarterly by: <strong>ABW</strong> PUBLISHING<br />
House 16, Madrigal Compound, 2550 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City<br />
Publisher: ROSALIE M. BAIRD<br />
Managing Editor & Production: BARRY DAWSON<br />
Associate Editor: ROY ESPIRITU<br />
Layout & Design: MAR SUBA<br />
Contributing Writers: BRUCE CURRAN & JAMES WEBSTER<br />
Contributing Photographers: TERRY DUCKHAM & JOHNNY MARTINEZ<br />
Advertising: 8551-4587/ 0919-070-3751/ 0917-871-8547<br />
Email: info@activeboatingwatersports.com<br />
Website: www.activeboatingwatersports.com<br />
Printed by: House Printers, Taytay, Rizal, Philippines<br />
Active Boating and Watersports is a copyright© production<br />
No part can be copied or reproduced without the express<br />
permission of the publishers.<br />
The views expressed and advertisements published in Active Boating & Watersports<br />
are those of the authors and advertisers, and not <strong>ABW</strong> Publishing.<br />
<strong>ABW</strong> Publishing does not accept any liability whatsoever for errors or omissions.
5
Subic Bay - an excellent harbour to its geographical<br />
location serves as the premier yacht racing<br />
destination in the Philippines. Regular regattas<br />
are being held in Subic Bay not just to enhance<br />
yachtsman-ship for international<br />
competitions and foster<br />
camaraderie among sailors but also<br />
to promote its tourism in one of the<br />
best Freeport destination in the<br />
country. It has become a playground<br />
for Grand Prix keelboats from<br />
various countries as they compete<br />
in the prestigious international regattas hosted here in our<br />
country.<br />
The last week of April <strong>2019</strong> was the inaugural iteration of<br />
the Chairman’s Cup Regatta. Organized by Subic Sailing, the<br />
organization home-base can be found in the Lighthouse<br />
Several foreign participants<br />
in the Optimist Class as well<br />
as the keelboat crews had to<br />
drop out of the competitions.<br />
Marina and Resort and it was the main venue for the weeklong<br />
event. The Lighthouse’s Marina and beach area is a<br />
great place for watersports events, a nice sandy beach facing<br />
south means small sailing craft can sail on and off the beach<br />
regardless of the monsoon season.<br />
Commodore’s Cup Regatta that has<br />
been attracting hundreds of topnotch<br />
sailors from all over the globe<br />
has been rebranded as “Chairman’s<br />
Cup Regatta” to commemorate the<br />
leadership that is at the helm of the<br />
agency that has played a significant role in the development<br />
of the Subic Bay Freeport and the Special Economic Zone.<br />
This event is organized by the Subic Sailing Club headed<br />
by Mr. Jun Avecilla and Congressman Ricky Sandoval, cochairmen<br />
of the organizing committee. The Chairman’s<br />
Cup is more than just about high-end yachting; it brought<br />
Words by ROY ESPIRITU & BARRY DAWSON<br />
Photographs by RICH PELLICER & BARRY DAWSON<br />
Chairman’s<br />
6
together people from all walks of life; from seasoned sailors<br />
to merchant marines to ordinary folks looking to have good<br />
time on the water. A Maritime Forum on several relevant<br />
marine topics was also conducted in function rooms of the<br />
venue. While those looking to get into watersports could<br />
learn from sessions in the Maritime Forum or have sailing<br />
lessons using Subic Sailing’s sail training boats.<br />
Jun Avecillia of Subic sailing said that they are encouraged<br />
to get more people in the water enjoying what nature has to<br />
offer. “New sailors from Subic Sailing’s training program and<br />
the grassroots sailing initiative with the Oz Goose is creating<br />
a new breed of sailors ensuring that this environment<br />
friendly sport grows well into the future” Mr. Avecilla said.<br />
The event was a watersports extravaganza, featuring several<br />
sorts of watercraft. Dinghies and windsurfers opened the<br />
sailing competitions; there were 8-foot optimist dinghies<br />
for kids and lighter weight sailors, streaker dinghies that<br />
Subic Sailing use for sail training and racing as well as an Oz<br />
Goose fleet was brought up from Batangas with assistance<br />
from the Philippine Sports Commission and PAGCOR. For<br />
windsurf, competitive surfers on competition boards like the<br />
RS-X and the RS-One were on hand ripping through the<br />
race course.<br />
On the third day of racing, the larger sailboats were out racing;<br />
there were IRC Keelboats, Far East 28 (FE28R) competition<br />
racing yachts and a cruising class. For human powered<br />
watercraft there were stand up paddle board and kayak races.<br />
Several foreign participants in the Optimist Class as well as<br />
the keelboat crews had to drop out of the competitions and<br />
because of damage to the Clark airport and concerns from<br />
the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Zambales the week<br />
before. (Story continues on page 10)<br />
Cup<br />
<strong>2019</strong>7
A STAR IS BORN<br />
CATANA BALI 4.3 MY POWERCAT<br />
DECKS & SPECS<br />
Length overall: 13.1m (42ft)<br />
Beam:<br />
7.1m (23ft 4in)<br />
Draft:<br />
0.9m (2ft 11in)<br />
Light displacement: 12.7 tonnes<br />
Displacement max: 18.6 tonnes<br />
Fuel:<br />
upgraded 1800 litres<br />
Fresh water: 800 litres<br />
Black water: 120 litres<br />
Engines:<br />
2 x Yanmar 4LV250<br />
shaft-driven<br />
Maximum speed: 24.1 knots<br />
Cruising speed: 15-17 knots<br />
Range :<br />
Philippines to Guam<br />
Words by BARRY DAWSON<br />
Photographs by CHRISTOPHE BRESCHI
Deck & Flybridge<br />
Catana® Group has entered the Leisure /<br />
Chartering Yachting Market by creating a<br />
unique breed of pleasure Catamarans: BALI®<br />
Catamarans. The France’s leading performance<br />
boat builder per excellence, has certainly had the<br />
entire industry jaw dropping reactions, especially on<br />
their new creative designs and the BALI® innovations.<br />
During its world premiere in April, at Multihull Show<br />
in France, BALI® proudly presented the first POWER<br />
CAT ever: The “BALI® 4.3 MY”, a powerful 42 ft<br />
Catamaran with a whopping 500 HP. To make this<br />
even bigger, the Showboat #1 Hull is coming straight<br />
to the Philippines, thanks to Sustainable Charters<br />
(www.catamaran.ph), Bali’s nr 1 Distributor in South-<br />
East Asia. I have been privileged, to be invited aboard<br />
it’s “sister boat” the Bali 4.3 Sail, when it was in Subic<br />
Bay for the Verde Island Regatta. I also boarded<br />
the Bali 4.1 Sail, in Manila Yacht club. And I was<br />
able to see first-hand the luxurious opulence of the<br />
Catana Bali boats, and it’s “Open Space Concept”.<br />
Bali’s innovations, designs & finishes exceeded all<br />
my expectations, to be honest. It was like stepping<br />
onboard a Catamaran re-invented in all aspects. Every<br />
space is ergonomically designed. The finishes are<br />
flawless. You get on board a 42ft Catamaran of BALI®<br />
but you have the impression to be on a 52 footer<br />
boat right away. Bali is all about space & luxury.<br />
In 2012, Catana® Group, decided to create a new line<br />
of Catamarans made for the Leisure and Chartering<br />
segment. The BALI® Catamaran series, 4.0, 4.1, 4.3,<br />
4.5, 4.8 up to the flagship 5.4 were created. The BALI<br />
5.4 SAIL, just won best Catamaran <strong>2019</strong> Worldwide,<br />
during the EU Show in La Grande Motte, April <strong>2019</strong>.<br />
But what really sets BALI® Catamarans apart from<br />
all the others brands out there, is that they have<br />
innovated, with the “customer “ in mind. Indeed<br />
after several years of listening to customers and all<br />
Party Deck & Salon<br />
Cabins & Suite<br />
the charter companies worldwide, BALI’s® Creative<br />
Team, came up with the “Open Space Concept” for<br />
the ultimate Catamaran experience. Understanding<br />
the sense of space, Interiors and most importantly<br />
constant airflow & ventilation, BALI® is now the best<br />
selling Catamaran in the Philippines for the year up<br />
to now. The new BALI 4.3 MY, and the entire BALI<br />
Line of catamarans are all featuring voluminous,<br />
usable, ergonomic “Open Space” features, such as<br />
Aft swing main Door, main galley service window<br />
connecting the bar/kitchen to the huge bow “Beach<br />
club Bow Sitting/ dining area” and of course the<br />
multiple deck access points. BALI® became this year’s<br />
most innovative Yachts builder in France. To own a<br />
BALI® Catamaran, is like to own a luxurious floating<br />
hotel, and to be swift on waters. Best of all the<br />
configuration, is the “Owner’s layout”, as the entire<br />
port side becomes a real Owners Suite, with lots of<br />
space and headroom. On Starboard side, two double<br />
cabins are comfortably designed for your guests.<br />
Other options are available for large families or those<br />
considering to charter, with 4 cabins & 4 bathrooms.<br />
All are accessed by steps in the forepart of the saloon,<br />
the owner’s suite has a vanity desk, lot of Cabinet<br />
storage, Master bed aft and large walk-in bathroom<br />
forward, even with its own washing machine. The<br />
designers have also ensured there is heaps of storage<br />
space in all areas of the boat. All interiors of the Bali<br />
are 100% bespoke thanks to Sustainable Charters<br />
Group of Companies, which will go out of their way to<br />
make sure nothing else on the market is comparable.<br />
Client’s wishes are no limits.<br />
The Bali 4.3 MY, comes with 2 powerful 250 HP Yanmar<br />
(4LV250), allowing an incredible manoeuvrability and<br />
inbuilt redundancy. Showing a to top speed of 24.10<br />
knots. Upper deck has a huge party flybridge, being<br />
the largest flybridge on Powercat in it’s category.<br />
Last but least BALI® 4.3 MY is certified for up to 26<br />
persons (CE-D).<br />
With double commanding from Flybridge and the<br />
main deck, the BALI® 4.3 Motoryacht is a pleasure<br />
to pilot at seas. BALI® 4.3 MY is outclassing by<br />
far, its competitors like Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot,<br />
Aquila & others in price, but mostly with innovation,<br />
performance & design.<br />
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( ... Story continued from page 7)<br />
Despite last week’s ground-shaker the organizers and the<br />
locals pushed on, the original plan was to have thirteen<br />
boats and skippers participating in the Optimist class,<br />
however the Singapore contingent had to drop out because<br />
of last week’s earthquake. A total of 5 Optimists were sailed<br />
by young skippers ages 11 to 15 provided by the Philippine<br />
Sailing Association (PSA) and the Puerto Galera Yacht Club<br />
(PGYC).<br />
For the streaker class, there were a total of five boats, two<br />
boats were sailed by PSA sailors and three<br />
by Subic Sailing’s own young sailors.<br />
Eight plywood Oz Goose sailboats were<br />
brought up from the Taal Lake Yacht Club<br />
(TLYC), however, it being a weekday, only<br />
four Taal based skippers were able to go<br />
to Subic, three other skippers from PSA<br />
and one from Subic Sailing completed the<br />
Oz Goose skipper roster.<br />
Sailing conditions<br />
were shiftier than<br />
what the Taal lake<br />
sailors were used to.<br />
In the windsurf class four RS-X and seven RS-One windsurfers<br />
competed in a trapezoid course along with the Oz Geese,<br />
while the Optimists and the Streakers used a windward -<br />
leeward course.<br />
A total of seven races were planned for the series. Sailing<br />
conditions were shiftier than what the Taal lake sailors were<br />
used to, locals and the PSA athletes who’ve had experience<br />
in the area clearly had an edge. PSA sailors Gerard Boyano<br />
and Rhegielyn Boyano won the Optimist and Streaker class<br />
respectively, while DJ Carabiles of Subic<br />
Sailing prevailed the Oz Goose Class.<br />
Windsurfers Yanoy Kaibigan and Joaquin<br />
Geminez dominated in the RS-X and RS-<br />
One classes.<br />
On the third day of activities Broadwater<br />
Marine and Red Paddle sponsored a Stand<br />
up Paddle (SUP) Board fun race for the<br />
10
event’s visitors and participants. All the boards were fitted with<br />
Fusion Marine speakers which made for a delightful musical<br />
show and participants had great fun in the sun. There was 21<br />
contestants that entered the event with 12 men, 5 women<br />
and 3 juniors. Winning place-getters in the women’s division<br />
of the SUP fun race<br />
were; Jewel Napa in<br />
1st place, Isabelle<br />
Kitell in 2nd place with<br />
Lolita Carmen coming<br />
into 3rd spot. In the<br />
men’s division Jaylord<br />
Coveta took out the<br />
winning honors while<br />
Leo Samante secured<br />
All the boards were<br />
fitted with Fusion<br />
Marine speakers which<br />
made for a delightful<br />
musical show.<br />
second spot and Jeric Ejanda Placing 3rd. For the Juniors<br />
Charles Napa with a fast finish topped the list with a 1st place,<br />
while Zedley Sumayang was 2nd and Joaquin Jimenez was<br />
third. There was also an early bird award for both men and<br />
women with Lolita Carmen and Junard Bertulfo taking home<br />
the prizes.<br />
Roger Bound from Surf Life Saving Zambales Gave a practical<br />
lifesaving demonstration on the final day, again emphasizing<br />
the great importance of water safety.<br />
The main section of the regatta got under way in earnest on<br />
the Friday evening, with a skippers meeting and welcome<br />
party at the Subic Bay Yacht Club. With the first races of the<br />
yachts, and Far East 28’s kicking off at 11am on Saturday.<br />
12
World renown racing officer Jerry Rollin was there to<br />
make sure things went smoothly overseeing the race and<br />
race committee from the desks of Lost in Asia generously<br />
supplied by Peter Baird and Broadwater Marine. The wind<br />
gods were being kind and it was off to a brisk start for all<br />
concerned. After the day’s events the traditional bottles of<br />
Rum were awarded to the winners in each class.<br />
Days two, three and four were all excellent contests,<br />
with mostly good winds each day. The week long regatta<br />
culminated with the awards dinner followed by the M1<br />
Freedom Party that went on into the wee small hours with<br />
all thoroughly enjoying what would have to be one of the<br />
best regattas <strong>ABW</strong> has seen.<br />
The overall winners were;<br />
For the Far East 28’s, PSA Standard Insurance Hull 8 skippered<br />
by Emerson Villena was 1st, PSA Standard Insurance Hull 4<br />
skippered by Ridgley Balladares came second, while in third<br />
sport was the Turquoise Sailing Team from China in Hull 6<br />
and was skippered by Yukie Ikawa.<br />
For the cruising class; George Hackett and his team took<br />
first place honors on Misty Mountain, while Noel Chan and<br />
his team secured second place and the ever popular Jun<br />
Avecilla and crew came third on Selma Star.<br />
As Subic Sailing increase the popularity of Sailing in Subic<br />
Bay and the Philippines we can look forward to more sailing<br />
events like this.<br />
13
When the Subic Boracay Race was cancelled last<br />
year because of environmental problems on<br />
Boracay, the organizers kept in step with the<br />
long passage racing and inshore regatta format,<br />
replacing the Subic Boracay race with the Subic Bay around<br />
Verde Island Passage Race and the Subic Bay Cup Regatta.<br />
This year it was renamed under the Standard Insurance Subic<br />
Bay International Regatta, the Subic Bay Verde Island is the<br />
main race, followed by the highly contested Subic Bay Cup<br />
organized by Subic Sailing. This event will also include fleet<br />
and match racing for the speedy new comers. The FarEast<br />
28 class, and are to be racing at the 30th SEA Games in late<br />
November.<br />
The racing starts off with the tough<br />
200NM race from Subic Bay, down the<br />
coast past the entrance to Manila Bay,<br />
to the Verde Island Passage between<br />
Luzon and Mindoro, then rounding<br />
Verde Island and back to finish line in<br />
Subic Bay.<br />
The racing starts off with the tough 200NM race from Subic<br />
Bay, down the coast past the entrance to Manila Bay, to the<br />
Verde Island Passage between Luzon and Mindoro, then<br />
Words by BARRY DAWSON<br />
Photographs as credited<br />
14
15
ounding Verde Island and back to finish line in Subic Bay.<br />
The course which includes many obstacles is very challenging<br />
for the competitors, with obstacles that include navigating<br />
through the winds of the Bataan and Batangas Mountain<br />
Ranges plus strong tidal currents on both the outward and<br />
return legs of the race.<br />
This race is not all<br />
about the big yachts<br />
battling over line<br />
honours; glory comes with<br />
victory in the Overall IRC<br />
handicap stakes.<br />
Active Boating and<br />
Watersports were<br />
invited aboard the<br />
luxurious Catana<br />
Bali 4.3 Catamaran<br />
from Sustainable<br />
Charters to witness<br />
and photograph<br />
the event. We<br />
have been invited<br />
aboard many<br />
catamarans in the past but never one of this class and opulence.<br />
To say the design and appointments of this Catamaran would<br />
have to be first class would be a total understatement. It is<br />
luxury plus at an affordable price.<br />
Nine yachts divided into two classes will be lining up on<br />
Saturdays high noon showdown. Philippine big hitters, In this<br />
16
year’s regatta event, the racing classes I and II (IRC I and II)<br />
will be competing together in the 200 nautical-mile, led by<br />
veteran campaigner 75-footer and powerhouse Centennial<br />
III, skippered by Judes Echauz, Centennial III will again<br />
encounter last year’s inaugural race champion Geoff Hill’s<br />
Smith 72 Antipodes. Centennial came second over the line<br />
two minutes later in corrected time, while Ray Ordeveza’s<br />
Excel 53 Karakoa placed third.<br />
Other Centennial III challengers include Albert Altura’s<br />
Hurricane Hunter, Mills 43 Custom Misty Mountain of George<br />
Hacket, veteran local campaigner Selma Star of Jun Avecilla,<br />
Germany’s Emocean I helmed by Michael Raueber, another<br />
local entry Sabad of Bobby Benares, and Karakoa.<br />
For two consecutive years, Centennial III’s perennial rival in<br />
the Subic Bay to Boracay Regatta Race, Hong Kong’s Jelik<br />
of steel magnate Frank Pong, failed again to participate this<br />
year for unknown reasons. This race is not all about the big<br />
yachts battling over line honours; glory comes with victory in<br />
the Overall IRC handicap stakes.<br />
The wind forecast for Subic Bay this weekend is very light<br />
basically from the North East, picking up during the morning,<br />
but fading overnight and at first glance Antipodes inaugural
18
ace record of 22:54:09 looks safe. Later in the week, the<br />
East North Easterly returns in the mid-teens, and expected to<br />
produce a lively Subic Bay Cup Regatta.<br />
Also hunting down and capable of overall IRC victory, are<br />
George Hackett’s Mills 43 custom<br />
Misty Mountain, Bobby Benares<br />
Beneteau 44.7 Sabad and Jun<br />
Avecilla’s Beneteau First 36.7 Selma<br />
Star. New boats for Michael Raueber’s<br />
Swan 65.1 Emocean 1 and Albert<br />
Altura’s Beneteau First 40 Hurricane<br />
Hunter are relatively unknown but<br />
judging by their pedigree, also have<br />
a chance in the handicap stakes. Final<br />
results for the event was, In IRC 1 first<br />
The wind forecast for<br />
Subic Bay this weekend<br />
is very light basically<br />
from the North East,<br />
picking up during the<br />
morning, but fading<br />
overnight.<br />
place went to Centennial III, second place was Antipodes<br />
while in third we seen Karakoa. In ITC 2 first place went<br />
to Mandrake, second Sabad and third Selma Star. In<br />
the Cruising Class first place went to Asia Pacific Sailing<br />
while in second place was Apsaras. Overall winners for<br />
the event was in first place Mandrake,<br />
second place went to Centennial II while<br />
Antipodes secured third spot.<br />
The fun continues for all classes after the<br />
race and into next week for the Subic Bay<br />
Cup. Three teams from the Philippine Sailing<br />
Association (PSA) are taking on the Subic<br />
Sailing Team, in the one design FarEast 28<br />
class and like nothing better than battling it<br />
out for the bragging rights.<br />
20
21
Seafront Residences<br />
Hobie National<br />
Championships<br />
<strong>2019</strong><br />
This made for crazy<br />
racing on the course,<br />
the veteran racers had<br />
the edge moving with<br />
shifts and maintaining<br />
speed.<br />
22
Light winds of the<br />
first day of the Hobie<br />
Nationals <strong>2019</strong> –<br />
Photo by Carla Kramer<br />
Words by ROY ESPIRITU<br />
Photographs by CARLA KRAMER<br />
T<br />
he Hobie National Championships is one of the<br />
most anticipated regattas in the sailing calendar.<br />
This year, the Hobie Nationals was hosted<br />
by Seafront Residences, a promising seaside<br />
residential development currently under construction by<br />
Aboitiz Land in San Juan, Batangas, an area well known for<br />
its lovely beaches. The first day of the regatta coincided with<br />
the developer’s Summerfest, wherein potential homeowners<br />
were invited to view the development and participate in<br />
various activities including watching a concert of notable<br />
performers.<br />
This year’s Hobie nationals is also the 4th and final leg of<br />
the PHINSAF traveller’s series, which started with the Tali<br />
Regatta, followed by the Round the Volcano Race, then<br />
the Punta Fuego Regatta and concluded with the Seafront<br />
Residences Hobie Nationals.<br />
A total of 7 teams participated this year, a little thin<br />
compared to the fleet that participated in Punta Fuego but<br />
the weather and the conditions were forecasted to be good<br />
for sailing. The beginning of the month May usually signals<br />
the start of the transition from the North East monsoon<br />
(Amihan) to the South West monsoon (Habagat), this years<br />
Nationals were on the weekend of 4 May <strong>2019</strong>, it falls at<br />
about the end of Amihan. Sailors in Luzon are generally<br />
preferential to Amihan because forecasts are generally more<br />
reliable during that period (October to April).<br />
The original plan for the two-day Hobie Nationals was<br />
to have five races on the first day and two races on the<br />
second, and have awards during lunch of the final day to<br />
allow the participants time to get home early. However,<br />
the weather had other plans, not only did the racers have<br />
a challenging time, the race committee did too. There was<br />
wind alright, but it was light, and it was really shifty, making<br />
the mark laying process a real challenge for the Philippine<br />
Sailing Association (PSA), the ones tasked to handle race<br />
management for this event. The wind shifts were all over<br />
the place, they were incremental but frequent, with several<br />
points of 360 degrees of direction being touched on the<br />
first day. Only two races were completed on the first day.<br />
It took quite some time before the marks were laid for the first<br />
race because of the shifty conditions, the race committee<br />
decided to lay two windward marks around 40 degrees apart<br />
relative to the leeward mark in case the winds shifted, and<br />
sure enough it did. This made for crazy racing on the course,<br />
the veteran racers had the edge moving with shifts and<br />
maintaining speed. Upon getting to the leeward mark, a course<br />
change was signalled and the racers went to round the second<br />
windward mark.<br />
23
Capotosto and Hagedorn<br />
racing to leeward mark –<br />
photo by Carla Kramer<br />
Husband and wife team Glenn and Jana find their groove on the second day<br />
Hobie Nationals <strong>2019</strong> Participants - Photo by Carla Kramer<br />
A 180 degree wind shift after the first race meant a long pause<br />
in racing, so the marks can be moved and the course reset<br />
Wind was lighter on the second race and the race committee<br />
raised the “s” flag to indicate a shortened course. Veteran<br />
skippers Peter Capotosto and Maria<br />
Hagedorn came in first and second in<br />
both races respectively of the first day.<br />
On the second day, hoping to get more<br />
races in, the organizer decided for an<br />
early start. Before the warning signal,<br />
the weather looked bleak, changing<br />
direction three times in less than an<br />
hour. But thirty minutes before the start a steady moderate<br />
southeasterly started to blow. Marks were laid to match the<br />
wind direction and they were racing.<br />
The highlight of the<br />
second day was the<br />
heated competition<br />
between the top two<br />
racers from the first day.<br />
husband and wife team of Glenn and Jana Everett to put in<br />
two race wins and the brother and sister team of Diego and<br />
Bianca Garcia pulled off a race win as well. The conditions<br />
were just right to allow the committee to have five races<br />
of the seven race series to compensate for<br />
the flukey conditions of the first day of<br />
racing.<br />
Racing finished at around noon, however,<br />
lunch was delayed from some of the racers<br />
because of protests filed by Peter and<br />
Maria against each other and a protest from<br />
Jose Gonzales against the race committee.<br />
The other racers had to stay for the hearing and several were<br />
asked to testify as witnesses. It was a national championships<br />
after all and racing doesn’t get more serious than this.<br />
The highlight of the second day was the heated competition<br />
between the top two racers from the first day, both racers<br />
managed one race win each on the second day. In several<br />
instances Peter and Maria found themselves match racing<br />
when they should have been fleet racing, allowing the<br />
24<br />
It was good thing that the Organizer brought in Ms. Medy Fidel<br />
formerly a coach of the Philippine Sailing Association (PSA)<br />
to adjudicate any protests. At the end of it all, the protests<br />
were dismissed on technicalities and all parties learned how to<br />
correctly file their protests.
Hobie Nationals Champions<br />
Maria Hagedorn with Sean<br />
Mitchell zipping by – Photo<br />
by Carla Kramer<br />
Siblings Bianca and Diego<br />
Garcia win the Traveller’s<br />
Series – Photo by Carla<br />
Kramer<br />
Protesting parties at the protest hearing, spoons and bottle caps as boats and buoys<br />
A moderate breeze on the second day of the Hobie Nationals <strong>2019</strong> made for<br />
faster racing – Photo by Carla Kramer<br />
25
Winners of the <strong>2019</strong> Hobie Nationals from left to right: Glenn and Jana Everett<br />
(3rd), Sean Mitchell and Maria Hagedorn (1st), Peter Capotosto and Mikee<br />
Vinzon (2nd)<br />
Several podium finishers for the PHINSAF Traveller Series<br />
were relatively new competitive Hobie sailors; in third<br />
place was the team of Jose Gonzales and Tristan De Belloy;<br />
The team of Roman Azanza and Boyet Magsanay came in<br />
second; while the young team of Bianca Garcia and Diego<br />
Garcia took first. Of the three teams only Roman and Boyet<br />
were in the Open masters category.<br />
Glenn and Jana Everett found their groove on the second<br />
day and won third place in this year’s Hobie Nationals, while<br />
the battle for first was fought well after the racing was over,<br />
Several podium finishers<br />
for the PHINSAF Traveller<br />
Series were relatively new<br />
competitive Hobie sailors.<br />
and the end<br />
of the day the<br />
team of Peter<br />
Capotosto and<br />
Mikee Vinzon<br />
got second<br />
place; while<br />
Maria Hagedorn and Sean Mitchell became the <strong>2019</strong><br />
Philippine Hobie National Champions.<br />
26
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The Evoluti<br />
So, without fish, there<br />
would never have been<br />
dinosaurs, mammoths or<br />
saber toothed tigers.<br />
Words by JAMES WEBSTER<br />
Photographs as credited<br />
Scientists of today have developed amazing skills<br />
and knowledge in the tracking of human evolution.<br />
With the emergence of an in-depth understanding<br />
of DNA and radiocarbon dating along with the<br />
discovery of fossils and artifacts, the human family tree can<br />
be tract back for hundreds of thousand years.<br />
A developing knowledge of DNA sequencing, diagnostic<br />
tools and the biological processes behind genetic changes<br />
have made molecular clocks so much more erudite allowing<br />
geneticists to build a refined timeline of human evolution<br />
through a massive database of DNA from diverse populations<br />
both ancient and present day.<br />
The same processes are used to track the evolution of land<br />
animals such as dinosaurs and while not as interesting<br />
28<br />
or fascinating in fact, the evolution of fish is much more<br />
important. Fish where the very first vertebrates on this planet<br />
earth, postulating the basic “body plan” of all evolution over<br />
the ensuing millions of years. So, without fish, there would<br />
never have been dinosaurs, mammoths or saber toothed tigers.<br />
The term metazoan phyla is a complicated genealogical term<br />
but broadly translates into laymen’s perceptive as species or<br />
division.<br />
An event some 541 million years ago known as the Cambrian<br />
Explosion brought about the manifestation of most animal<br />
phyla in fossil records bringing about a major branching<br />
out of other organisms. Before this event organisms where<br />
simple, single cells entities but as the rate of modification<br />
augmented the variety of life began to resemble that of
ion of<br />
today. Almost all present day animal phyla appeared during<br />
this period and were marine based.<br />
At this time vertebrate life on earth was subjugated by<br />
prehistoric fish which formed the prototype for vertebrate<br />
evolution. A surprising innovation that arose during the<br />
Cambrian period was that these creatures’ heads became<br />
quite distinct from their tails.<br />
As recent as 1938 scientist studied a fish (a Coelacanth,<br />
thought to be extinct 80 million years ago) with fleshy fins<br />
resembling limbs. They had examined fish like this before<br />
but only those preserved as fossils in prehistoric rocks.<br />
Figure lobed Figure fin fishes lobed fin fishes<br />
The ensuing evolutionary period is known as the “Devonian<br />
Period”, a critical evolution period, during which Tetrapod’s<br />
29
Laccognathus is an extinct<br />
genus of amphibious<br />
lobe-finned fish from<br />
Europe and North<br />
America. They<br />
existed from the<br />
Middle Devonian<br />
to the Late<br />
Devonian.<br />
During the<br />
next couple of<br />
hundred million<br />
years these fish<br />
lizards evolved<br />
into full time<br />
land dwelling<br />
reptiles.<br />
became the first<br />
vertebrate animals to<br />
ascend from the sea<br />
and colonize dry land.<br />
These creatures had<br />
characteristic structure<br />
that mutated into<br />
fingers, claws and paws<br />
of future vertebrates.<br />
Megazostrodon, one of the earliest true mammals<br />
Devonian stem-tetrapods<br />
The next evolutionary period was the “Carboniferous Period”,<br />
often referred to as a way-station between tetrapod’s and<br />
land living reptiles during which terrestrial vertebrate life<br />
on earth was dominated by prehistoric amphibians. During<br />
this time, reptiles still had to lay their eggs in water which<br />
limited their ability to populate the interior of the world’s<br />
continents. A prime modern example is the frog that still, it<br />
seems, live in the “Carboniferous Period”. They lay their eggs<br />
in the water, hatching as tadpoles that can’t survive out of<br />
water and metamorphosing into the amphibious frog.<br />
Over a number of periods during the next couple of hundred<br />
million years these fish lizards evolved into full time land<br />
Sturgeon<br />
30
31
A coelacanth<br />
dwelling reptiles until the dinosaur population of the Jurassic<br />
Age. The small, feathered theropod dinosaurs where to be<br />
the forbearers of the bird species.<br />
Following the extinction of dinosaurs and marine reptile 65<br />
million years ago the evolution of vertebrate was a rapid<br />
progression of mammals from small, timid creatures to<br />
much larger fauna such as prehistoric cats, dogs, elephants<br />
and many other species. The first such vertebrates where<br />
creatures like the Megazostrodon which still had a distinct<br />
lizard like appearance.<br />
Fossil records and DNA testing provide no good reason to<br />
separate prehistoric primates from other mammalian fauna<br />
that succeeded the dinosaur era, although our egos may<br />
find a need to distinguish out human descendants from the<br />
mainstream of vertebrate evolution.<br />
So, if all life on earth evolved from ancient species of<br />
fish we should ponder this thought next time we savor a<br />
scrumptious seafood meal. Are we consuming a far, distant<br />
relative?<br />
Lobe fin<br />
32
33
Puerto Galera<br />
Yacht Club<br />
PRA<br />
Easter<br />
Regatta<br />
Words by TERENCE McMANUS<br />
Photographs by TERRY DUCKHAM<br />
34
C<br />
ompetitors in the PGYC Philippine Retirement<br />
Authority Easter Regatta <strong>2019</strong> Regatta enjoyed<br />
three full days of racing with 10 to 15-knot easterly<br />
winds under almost clear skies and not a drop of rain.<br />
In its 28th year the Easter Regatta<br />
at the Puerto Galera Yacht Club<br />
is arguably the longest running<br />
yachting event in the Philippines.<br />
Puerto Galera has hosted a regatta<br />
for racing yachts, cruising yachts<br />
and multihulls every year since<br />
the Easter of 1991. Originally<br />
envisaged as some on-the-water<br />
fun for cruising yachts visiting the<br />
Philippines at Easter the PGYC<br />
Easter Regatta has grown into an international yachting<br />
event with yachts and crews arriving from nations bordering<br />
the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, and even<br />
hailing from across the Pacific and from “Down Under”. In<br />
terms of continuity, at least two of the entries, Rags and<br />
Aragorn (or their skippers - Alan Burrell and Gundolf<br />
Ahrens) have taken part in every Easter Regatta<br />
since 1991.<br />
A three-day event, the <strong>2019</strong> Easter Regatta<br />
ran from Good Friday, 19th April, to Easter<br />
Sunday 21st April, and attracted over 20<br />
entrants. Easter being late this year the<br />
Regatta Organizing Committee was<br />
concerned that winds might be fickle<br />
and made various contingency plans<br />
for windless days. Happily their<br />
concern proved to be groundless<br />
with the forecast for each day<br />
being 10 to 15-knot winds<br />
from a little south of east:<br />
close to ideal for these<br />
waters.<br />
The yachts and their skippers included a remarkable crosssection<br />
of the local sailing scene.<br />
MAGAYON a home built 26’ Wharram, was skippered by<br />
Miriam Gummert who had recently sailed the boat solo<br />
from Pandan Island to Puerto<br />
Galera. SAVAGE: (Peter Waa)<br />
- formerly Red Shift, has been<br />
heavily modified and painted<br />
black. “We’ve done 27 knots and<br />
now we’re looking to do 30”.<br />
PAPAYA II - formerly Raparee<br />
XXX and now owned by Renie<br />
Ticzon and Papaya Cove Haul<br />
Out, was skippered by Garry an<br />
ex-staff-member of the PGYC.<br />
EMOCEAN I: the graceful Swan owned by Michael Raeuber<br />
and Gundolf Ahrens brought an extra touch of class to<br />
the Muelle Bay moorings. MAKANI LOA (Mike and Jam)<br />
was back in Puerto Galera after an absence of a few years.<br />
GUINEVERE II: PGYC’s club yacht crewed by local kids from<br />
the Small Boat Program. FREEWHEELER with a doyen of<br />
the Philippines sailing scene David Wheeler at the helm.<br />
AMIHAN (Brian Richardson): last year’s All Souls Regatta<br />
winner. PRINCESS ARIETA: (Dale Godkin) with her crew of<br />
colorful and renowned party animals. EMOCEAN: skippered<br />
by Chris Pooley the Commodore of the Aberdeen Boat Club.<br />
ANTHEA (John Quirk): the 8 Meter grand dame of the local<br />
racing fleet - 90 years old this year. IRRESISTABLE (Kevin<br />
Moylan): back with a new owner and skippered by PGYC<br />
Vice-Commodore Peter Stevens. SANTORINI: a visiting<br />
cruising yacht, with Jason and Lee as joint skippers, joined<br />
the regatta for the final day. SONIYA (Kareem Magill),<br />
ZENITY (Darius Garcia). DANY II (Mel Smit): making a<br />
welcome return to the PGYC racing scene. Sadly KERIDA<br />
(Garry Kingshot) had to withdraw her entry before the<br />
regatta due to problems with a leaking sail-drive.<br />
In terms of continuity, at least<br />
two of the entries, Rags and<br />
Aragorn (or their skippers - Alan<br />
Burrell and Gundolf Ahrens)<br />
have taken part in every Easter<br />
Regatta since 1991.<br />
The location of the PGYC, whilst beautiful and wellsheltered,<br />
imposes certain constraints on the organization<br />
35
In the racing division<br />
Irresistable took the gun<br />
followed by Anthea, while<br />
Rags and Emocean both<br />
suffered gear failure.<br />
of races. Restricted room for maneuvering, depth of water for<br />
placing marks, and commercial traffic being just three. As a<br />
result PGYC regatta organizing committees have experimented<br />
with different race formats from time to time. These have<br />
ranged from conventional all-together starts, through “turnon-first<br />
turn”<br />
pursuit races, to<br />
time trials and<br />
treasure hunts<br />
involving multiple<br />
beach-side<br />
resorts and much<br />
beer drinking.<br />
However over the<br />
years a straightforward pursuit race with staggered starts has<br />
proved the most successful and popular format and this year<br />
it was decided that the races would again be run on this basis.<br />
Day One<br />
On the first day it has become almost traditional for all three<br />
divisions (Cruising, Multihull and Racing) to race courses<br />
round the islet of Chicken Feather and back to the finish line<br />
off Haligi Beach. In the cruising division Aragorn romped<br />
home followed by Princess Arieta and Neptunus III. Magayon<br />
II came first in the multihull division followed by Soniya (who<br />
would go on to dominate her class in the next two days).<br />
In the racing division Irresistable took the gun followed by<br />
Anthea, while Rags and Emocean both suffered gear failure.<br />
This resulted in Rags failing to finish (she would acquit herself<br />
on the following two days) and Emocean loosing places while<br />
her crew fixed a problem with her steering gear.<br />
36<br />
Day Two<br />
On the second day the race committee set two separate<br />
courses. Cruisers and multihulls were to round a mark off<br />
Verde Island and sail to the finish line, while the racing<br />
division would round a mark off Small Tabinay and then<br />
round the Verde Island mark and finish of Haligi Beach. Since<br />
only racers would be rounding the mark at Small Tabinay
37
the course could be set with port hand rounding giving a<br />
slightly shorter distance overall (multihulls find themselves<br />
uncomfortably close to the beach if they have to leave ST<br />
mark to port).<br />
Again Aragorn came first in the cruising division with Soniya<br />
leading the multihulls and Emocean I<br />
winning the racing division.<br />
Day Three<br />
The third day being a Sunday, a<br />
shorter course and earlier start times<br />
were required to allow people to travel<br />
to Manila ready to return to work on<br />
Monday. A single short course was<br />
set for all three divisions using the mark at Little Tabinay<br />
with a starboard rounding. Freewheeler took the gun in the<br />
cruising division, Soniya again won the multihull division<br />
and Rags was first in the racing division.<br />
Final Results<br />
First place Cruising Division: Aragorn<br />
First place Multihull Division: Soniya<br />
Rather than a<br />
traditional silver cup<br />
the regatta prizes were<br />
Mangyan basket-ware.<br />
First place Racing Division: Anthea<br />
Overall regatta winner: Soniya<br />
Rather than a traditional silver cup the regatta prizes were<br />
Mangyan basket-ware. Made locally by Mindoro’s indigenous<br />
peoples, these offer a useful memento of the event and<br />
benefit the local community.<br />
As always PGYC’s F&B staff did a<br />
splendid job catering to the hungry<br />
and thirsty crews and Coco Band<br />
provided easy listening until late on<br />
Saturday evening.<br />
The PGYC Easter Regatta <strong>2019</strong><br />
was sponsored by the Philippine Retirement Authority.<br />
Supporting sponsors were: Broadwater Marine, Chetz<br />
Marine Supplies, Lane Records Management, Asian Tigers<br />
Additional excitement was provided by the Royal Hong Kong<br />
Yacht Club who, for the first time, made Puerto Galera the<br />
finish for their bi-annual race to the Philippines. This year the<br />
overall winner of the Hong Kong to Philippines race was Subic<br />
Centennial 5, taking both line honors and first place in IRC.<br />
38
39
Maritime P<br />
There are 15 sea-based groups with their own culture<br />
along the shorelines of the Philippines. In the far<br />
north, the harsh environment around the rocky<br />
Batanes islands sustains a fishing and seafaring<br />
community. In the far south, the placid coral seas around<br />
Sibutu islands at the southern tip of the Sulu archipelago<br />
support another very different group dependent on the<br />
sea for their livelihood and welfare - these are the Badjao,<br />
which means ‘people of the sea’. The<br />
128 Calamian Islands in the north<br />
of Palawan, the Cuyo islands in the<br />
north Sulu Sea, the Balabac islands<br />
at Palawan’s base, and the remote<br />
islands within the Sulu Sea are all areas<br />
where vibrant maritime people eke out<br />
a living and live their maritime lives.<br />
At regular intervals within the 1.780<br />
islands of Palawan, dotted around<br />
the south coast of Mindanao and<br />
throughout the Sulu archipelago with its 500 islands are<br />
many more communities that are dependent on the marine<br />
environment of this archipelagic state.<br />
The pristine nature of<br />
the marine environment<br />
in this archipelago is<br />
a jewel in the crown<br />
of marine life, and<br />
therefore a critical link<br />
in its sustainability.<br />
The marine bio-diversity within the waters of the<br />
Philippines is quite remarkable. The southern half of these<br />
islands have become known as part of the Sulu-Sulawesi<br />
Marine Eco-region, which the World Wildlife Organization<br />
has declared the most marine bio-diverse region on our<br />
planet. It is quite clear that it is to the nursery status of<br />
the coral carpet within these waters that the Philippines<br />
owes its thousands of species of fish and other forms of<br />
marine life. It is the connectivity of<br />
these coral areas that allows nature<br />
to reproduce and spread out into the<br />
vastness of the Pacific Ocean and out<br />
into the South China Sea. The pristine<br />
nature of the marine environment in<br />
this archipelago is a jewel in the crown<br />
of marine life, and therefore a critical<br />
link in its sustainability.<br />
The declaration by the UN of the<br />
Philippines as an Archipelagic State makes these islands a<br />
definitive water country by essentially adding 48,000,000<br />
hectares of waters to its jurisdiction. This gives a critical<br />
Words by BRUCE CURRAN<br />
Photographs as credited<br />
View from Saluag Port<br />
The The People, the the Preserv<br />
Batanes fishermen<br />
Donsol whale shark<br />
40
ole to the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Centre (MOAC) of<br />
the Department of Foreign Affairs. This office has a pivotal<br />
role in managing, controlling and nurturing the marine<br />
environment. After all this is a country where, for each one<br />
part of land there are seven parts of water.<br />
The coral carpet in these islands has been estimated to have<br />
as many as 421 identified hard coral species in a worldwide<br />
declared total of 577 coral species in an area of 26,000 square<br />
kilometres. The Caribbean Sea by contrast has a total of only<br />
65 hard coral species. Behind the coral in many areas are<br />
the marine breeding grounds within the mangrove forests<br />
and fringing mangrove corridors. The marine life amid this<br />
remarkable environment is quite extraordinary, with some<br />
2,700 fish species thriving in Philippine waters. 11 toothed<br />
whales feed off the fish stock, while 5 baleen whales sift<br />
plankton from these rich waters. Humpback whales frolic in<br />
the waters around the Batanes islands, while whale sharks<br />
cruise along the coast off Donsol in SW Luzon, off Bohol<br />
and the SE coast of Cebu, as well as off the SE tip of Samar.<br />
The many seagrass in certain areas sustain the dugongs<br />
(seacows) that live around Palawan, along the southern<br />
coastline of Mindanao and even seen as far north as Polillo<br />
island off the east coast of Luzon. A combined number of<br />
29 species of whales and dolphins have been spotted in<br />
Philippine waters. Even an endemic one-toed otter lives in<br />
Palawan adding uniqueness to this particular environment.<br />
There is no doubt that the Philippines has inherited a<br />
bountiful legacy of marine life and maritime wealth.<br />
The protection of this diversity is in the hands of the future.<br />
Nature has great powers of regeneration and adaptation,<br />
but ultimately it is Mankind and population behaviour that<br />
will determine the protection, the preservation and the<br />
blossoming of these seas. The six dolphin species that thrive<br />
around these islands will increase in numbers as mankind<br />
enriches his understanding of the marine environment,<br />
instigates sustainable systems, controls and methods, and<br />
enforces them far and wide.<br />
The eradication of destructive fishing methods is quite<br />
obviously one of the keys in the struggle to harmonize<br />
population livelihood with environmental preservation. The<br />
trick is to substitute these methods with alternatives so<br />
hilippines<br />
rvation and and the the Profit<br />
Tawi-Tawi<br />
Tubbataha reef in Sulu<br />
41
Cuyo aerial view<br />
Fish at Sulu Echo Marine Park<br />
people can still gain a livelihood and are not forced into<br />
further depredation. An intensive study has revealed<br />
some critical statistics. In coral reef areas it is estimated<br />
that non-tourism occupations can produce between<br />
US$20,000 to US$150,000 per year from a single square<br />
kilometre. However, when you bring<br />
in the tourism-factor the spread<br />
noticeably increases from between<br />
US$23,000 to US$270,000 from<br />
each accessible square kilometre.<br />
The potential therefore to substitute<br />
destructive fishing methods with<br />
non-destructive methods, and to<br />
supplement community incomes<br />
by controlled tourist activities is<br />
surely astronomical. Somewhere in<br />
the middle of all this is the birth of a ‘water tourism’<br />
industry.<br />
There are two keys that will create this industry, without<br />
which it will never happen. They are both critical and<br />
basic requirements, and they will form the foundation of<br />
the success of this venture. Only then will ‘water tourism’<br />
flourish and coastal communities benefit from fresh<br />
activities. These keys are security and infrastructure.<br />
The perception of current insecurity in these magnificent<br />
islands is the death knoll for many a great adventure.<br />
The traveller has a fickle mind, and at the slightest hint<br />
of danger this animal will divert plans and run away and<br />
hide in another place. Rather like choosing a property,<br />
where they say the key to purchasing is ‘location, location,<br />
‘Water Tourism’ has the<br />
possibilities of a very<br />
bright future, and it is<br />
already growing bit by<br />
bit, but has never been<br />
promoted as an industry in<br />
its own right till recently.<br />
location!’, when it comes to the traveller it is very much<br />
‘security, security, security!’<br />
Infrastructure is the other issue, although this is a<br />
more ambiguous subject. The adventure traveller is<br />
not necessarily in search of lavish<br />
facilities, but every now and then<br />
good roads, good communication,<br />
good accommodation and good food<br />
are reassuring attributes which nurture<br />
peace of mind and the willingness to<br />
stay longer and venture further. The<br />
tourist however, as opposed to the<br />
adventurer, is usually a beast that<br />
depends on pristine infrastructure in<br />
order to stand up to the perceived<br />
rigours of a new and unfamiliar place. It is a dictating<br />
factor, rather like the quandary between the chicken<br />
and the egg (which came first?), without infrastructure<br />
the traveller will not come, but without the traveller the<br />
infrastructure will not materialise. But neither will take<br />
place without security. These are prickly issues.<br />
‘Water Tourism’ has the possibilities of a very bright future,<br />
and it is already growing bit by bit, but has never been<br />
promoted as an industry in its own right till recently. Only<br />
as it gains recognition and only if the vitality of the coral<br />
carpet is maintained and valued as a vital resource will it be<br />
possible for the people to profit from sustainable progress.<br />
It is exciting and enriching to know that conservation of the<br />
maritime environment indeed has a future worth pursuing for<br />
the progress of the people, the preservation and the profit.<br />
Badjao Housing, Brgy. Buli-Buli, Sumisip. Basilan<br />
Batanes Fisherman<br />
42
43
Ocean Marina<br />
Top of the Gulf<br />
Regatta<br />
44
Founded in 2005, the <strong>2019</strong> Top of the Gulf Regatta<br />
Presented by Ocean Marina will took place on 30th<br />
April to 5th May <strong>2019</strong>. Owned and organized by<br />
Ocean Property, the regatta is hosted by Ocean<br />
Marina Yacht Club with support from the Yacht Racing<br />
Association of Thailand, Royal Thai Navy, Royal Varuna<br />
Yacht Club and Pattaya City.<br />
Words by<br />
DUNCAN WORTHINGTON<br />
Photographs by GUY NOWELL<br />
One slip early on<br />
could cost a team a<br />
place on the podium<br />
and past winner Easy<br />
Tiger V (AUS) know<br />
this well.<br />
The Top of the Gulf<br />
Regatta Presented<br />
by Ocean Marina is<br />
unique: it is the largest<br />
multi-class sailing<br />
event of its kind in<br />
Asia, incorporating<br />
the Thailand Optimist<br />
Open Championship,<br />
the inaugural Thailand<br />
S\V14 Para Sailing<br />
Championship and is the only regatta in Thailand hosted at<br />
a marina.<br />
In recognition of the regatta’s success, Top of the Gulf<br />
Regatta Presented by Ocean Marina claimed Silver for “Best<br />
Amateur Sports Event of the Year in Thailand” at the 2016<br />
Asian Sports Industry Awards, and was voted ‘Asian Regatta<br />
of the Year’ at the 2014 Asian Marine & Boating Awards.<br />
Australian sailors dominate on Day 1<br />
PATTAYA, Thailand – The 15th Top of the Gulf Regatta<br />
presented by Ocean Marina got off to a good start with a<br />
solid 10 knots on the first day. This gave the Race Officer<br />
confidence to set the fleet on a long distance race. But first<br />
up was a windward/leeward for all the keelboat classes.<br />
It was a lonely start for Team Hollywood (AUS) in IRC Racing<br />
1 with fellow TP52, THA72, not making the start of the first<br />
race. Not to be distracted from the task ahead, Ray Roberts<br />
and crew zeroed in on the second race and get the better of<br />
THA72 over distance, finishing the day with two bullets and<br />
an early lead in the standings.<br />
In what is often the most competitive class of the regatta,<br />
for the one-design Platus every race counts. One slip early<br />
on could cost a team a place on the podium and past winner<br />
Easy Tiger V (AUS) know this well. A good start to their<br />
campaign, but as Chris Way and his crew know only too<br />
well there is a long way to go. Thai entries Pine Pacific and<br />
YRAT rounded out the top three Edenko (FRA) got the<br />
better of the multihulls today with a win in their single, long<br />
distance race of the day, Dominique today, placing second<br />
and third overall. Demachy and his crew are looking to go<br />
one better this year. However, the ever-green Sonic (THA)<br />
will be looking to make it as difficult as possible and defend<br />
their title, despite a slow start today finishing third overall<br />
behind Blade Runner IX (UK) in second.<br />
The dinghy and Optimist fleets will join the fray tomorrow<br />
and compete over four day series, and for the first time<br />
Para Sailing will be part of the regatta with 14 Para Sailors<br />
45
competing in seven of the new and exciting double-handed<br />
S\V14s.<br />
Following a marathon day on-the-water yesterday for the<br />
keelboats and multihulls, today’s 10 knots of breeze at start<br />
time dropped off early on. Race Officer Jerry Rollin had<br />
to settle with a single race, though managed to squeeze<br />
in two races for the Platus which takes their series tally<br />
to five after two days. Meanwhile the dinghy classes,<br />
Optimists and Thailand S\V14 Para<br />
Sailing Championship joined in, kicking<br />
off their four-day series today, turning<br />
the waters off Ocean Marina Yacht Club<br />
into a festival of sail.<br />
Keelboats and Multihulls<br />
Ray Roberts and his crew on Team<br />
Hollywood continued where they left<br />
off in IRC Racing 1 yesterday with good<br />
boat speed and slick crew work, leading<br />
defending champions THA72 around the course and adding<br />
a third bullet to their series tally in the process.<br />
In IRC Racing 2 Fujin scored the daily double and at the same<br />
time put their first win on the board. Hugh Halliburton’s<br />
Tenacious weren’t far behind and placed second overall to<br />
retain a slim one point margin in the overall standings. Thai<br />
entry Lawana finished third on the day.<br />
The Japanese team on Team Spray, led by Hiroshi Kurokawa,<br />
found their groove today and beat all-comers in IRC Racing 3,<br />
claiming their first win in the series so far. SailQuest Hi Jinks and<br />
MoonShadow2 had to settle for second and third respectively.<br />
In the Multihulls class, Blade Runner IX added their first<br />
bullet and in the process they jump to the top of the<br />
standings. Sonic (DNF) and Edenko (DSQ) had a tough day<br />
in the office and look to re-group tomorrow.<br />
Thailand S\V14 Para Sailing Championship<br />
The introduction of Para Sailing to the regatta this year is<br />
a Thailand first and fleet racing of the new two-handed S\<br />
V14 dinghy is a world first. Seven teams hit the water today<br />
and in the 10 knots of breeze at start<br />
All the weather apps<br />
forecasted light winds<br />
dropping off in the<br />
early afternoon for the<br />
third and thankfully,<br />
all were wrong.<br />
time the fleet performed well. As the<br />
wind softened towards the end of the<br />
second race, the Race Officer had to<br />
call it a day and send the fleet back<br />
to shore.<br />
Thai Para Sailors scored the early<br />
wins with Paisol Pateh/ Mahseedi<br />
Hadumor claiming two wins ahead<br />
of fellow Thai sailors, Kasempon<br />
Hondee/ Suraphong Chitkong who place second overall.<br />
Thailand Optimist Open Championship<br />
Split into Gold and Silver fleets, defending his 2018 regatta<br />
crown is Thai youngster Panwa Boonak who got his series<br />
off to the best of starts winning the only race of the day<br />
in the Gold fleet. Fellow Thai National Team Sailor, Patihan<br />
Vorrasart, was hot his heels placing second while Malaysian<br />
youngster Wong Xiang scored third.<br />
Thai sailors dominated the podium in the Silver fleet as Pitipoom<br />
Jaroenpon finished 1st ahead of Amonwan Aphiwatudomkun<br />
in 2nd and Klorkwan Visuttiprapanont in 3rd.<br />
Easy Tiger V are building up a healthy lead at the top of the<br />
Platu class with two more wins today. Meanwhile defending<br />
champion Team View Point have recovered from a slowerthan-wanted<br />
start on Day 1 and added two second places to<br />
their score-line today. With that they improve their position<br />
in the overall standings. Pine-Pacific placed third in the first<br />
race while YRAT claimed third in the second race.<br />
Dinghy Classes<br />
Four dinghy classes started their series today: Class 8 (Single-<br />
Handed Monohulls with RVYC rating 1110 or less), Class 9<br />
(Single-Handed Monohulls with RVYC rating between 1111<br />
and 1200), Class 10 (Single-Handed Monohulls with RVYC<br />
rating greater than 1200), and Class 11, Double-Handed<br />
Monohull Dinghies).<br />
46
Two races were completed before the wind dropped. In Class 9,<br />
Malaysian sailors performed best over today’s two races. All the<br />
weather apps forecasted light winds dropping off in the early<br />
afternoon for the third and thankfully, all were wrong. A solid<br />
10-15 knots saw all 12 classes catching up on their respective<br />
series and the Race Officers and their teams working double<br />
time. Four races for the dinghy classes and the S\V14’s while<br />
two or three for most of the others made for a busy day in<br />
the Gulf of Thailand. Top that off with a sausage sizzle back<br />
onshore and Day 3 was chalked up as a winner all round.<br />
Keelboats and Multihulls<br />
Two races for IRC Racing 1 and two more wins for Ray Roberts<br />
and his crew on Team Hollywood (ex Provezza). The TP52 is<br />
getting the better of defending champion THA72 (another<br />
ex Provezza) which is being helmed by 2010 World Optimist<br />
Champion, Noppakao Poonpat. However, on-the-water the<br />
racing is close with THA72 getting the better of the start in<br />
today’s first race and leading to the first kite drop. After which,<br />
Team Hollywood managed to find extra boat speed and passed<br />
them, holding on to claim the win. The racing is also getting<br />
closer and closer in IRC Racing 2 with just seconds separating<br />
Fujin and Tenacious in the second race today – 13 seconds on<br />
corrected time to be precise. Fujin’s two wins today moves them<br />
to the top of the standings, one point ahead of Tenacious with<br />
Lawana sitting third overall. Team Spray and MoonShadow2<br />
traded places in IRC 3 Racing, each claiming a first and second,<br />
meanwhile SailQuest Hi Jinks is getting the better of Twilight<br />
Sparkle and holding onto third overall. It was all change in the<br />
Platu class today as places were shuffled at the top. After one<br />
long race each day for the Multihulls so far, the Race Officer<br />
decided it was time to double the effort and had the multihull<br />
trio on a 2-hour-plus race followed by a quick 30-minute<br />
round-the-cans. It was Bob Garner’s BladeRunnerIX who went<br />
to the party with the bragging rights after claiming the win in<br />
both races. Two second places for Sonic and two third places for<br />
Edenko leaves the multihull overall standing in that order.<br />
Four fast and furious races was the order of the day for the<br />
Para Sailors and with the wind up, there was a shuffling of<br />
places as five of the seven teams made the podium today.<br />
An AP on shore delayed this morning’s start but the wait<br />
wasn’t too long and just over an hour later the AP was down<br />
and the sailors headed out to their rides for the final day of<br />
racing. The delay was a good call, as come start time the<br />
wind had picked up and was blowing a respectable 8-10<br />
knots. It lasted through the afternoon and ensured all classes<br />
got in a number of races on the final day and wrapped up a<br />
successful series for all the classes.<br />
Keelboats and Multihulls<br />
IRC Racing 1 was already a foregone conclusion comes today<br />
but it was great to see the two TP52s, Team Hollywood (AUS)<br />
and THA72, out on-the-water and racing hard. Having been<br />
a long-time supporter of the Top of the Gulf Regatta, Ray<br />
Roberts brought his ‘new’ TP52 this year to take on Kevin<br />
and Tom Whitcraft’s Thailand-based THA72. They finished<br />
the series undefeated and in the process stopped THA72<br />
from securing a third win in four years.<br />
With a number of Thai ex national team sailors onboard<br />
and 2010 World Optimist Champion Noppakao Poonpat at<br />
the helm, THA72 have taken it upon themselves to support<br />
local talent and are providing a much needed bridge from<br />
dinghies to big boat racing for Thai sailors.<br />
47
As the winds softened and the races got shorter in IRC Racing<br />
2, Fujin (AUS) came into their own. They put together a<br />
string of seven wins from the last seven races and with that,<br />
won the class. Tenacious (AUS) performed better in the long<br />
races at the beginning of the series, but<br />
kept Fujin honest throughout, finishing<br />
second overall ahead of Lawana (THA)<br />
who claimed third on count back from<br />
Ink Zone (AUS).<br />
After a slow start to the series, Team<br />
Spray (JPN) found their sweet spot<br />
and strung together a series of firsts<br />
and seconds, finishing today with a<br />
1,2 scoreline and top the standings.<br />
MoonShadow2 (GBR) enjoyed the stronger breeze earlier<br />
on in the regatta and had to settle for second overall with<br />
SailQuest Hi Jinks (USA) in third.<br />
The Platu class traditionally delivers some of the closet<br />
racing in the regatta, and this year did not disappoint with<br />
just seconds the deciding factor in many of the races. Of<br />
the 12 Platus competing this year six made the podium but<br />
it was Chris Way’s Easy Tiger V who put in a dominating<br />
performance finishing with six firsts and three second places<br />
in the 12-race series to win by a whopping eight points.<br />
They put together a<br />
string of seven wins<br />
from the last seven<br />
races and with that,<br />
won the class.<br />
Last year’s winner, Team ViewPoint, placed second just two<br />
points ahead of top Thai boat, Pine Pacific, skippered by<br />
Ithinai Yingsiri.<br />
A single race for the Multihulls and<br />
another bullet for Bob Garner’s<br />
BladeRunnerIX (GBR) saw them finish<br />
their series with five wins from six races<br />
and a comfortable class victory. Sonic<br />
(THA) placed second overall with a<br />
string of second places beating out the<br />
French entry, Edenko.<br />
Thailand S\V14 Para Sailing<br />
Championship<br />
Two races wrapped up a fun, and competitive four-day series<br />
for the Para Sailing class and inaugural Thailand S\V14 Para<br />
Sailing Championship. Paisol Pateh/ Mahseedi Hadumor<br />
(THA) have barely put a foot wrong all regatta dropping their<br />
final race score (a six) to finish top of the standings and 11<br />
points clear of Kasempon Hondee/ Suraphong Chitkong<br />
(THA) with Kristo Priks/ Peep Krusberg (EST) in 3rd. Finishing<br />
strongly with a win in the final race of the series, Russel Vollmer<br />
(RSA)/ Cherrie Pinpin (PHI) settled for 4th overall.<br />
Thailand Optimist Open Championship<br />
Known for the Optimist class and support of youth sailing in<br />
Thailand, the 15th Top of the Gulf Regatta saw more than<br />
80 youngsters split into Gold and Silver fleets, compete in<br />
the new Thailand Optimist Open Championship. Four races<br />
for both fleets turned the final day into a marathon and<br />
resulted with all competing a 10-race series.<br />
48<br />
Losing his way a little in the middle of the regatta, Panwa<br />
Boonak (THA) bounced back today with a 9 (his drop),<br />
2,1,1 to win comfortably. Second place went to Bowonnan<br />
Chanram (THA) who edged out M.L. Weka Bhanubandh by<br />
a point, who had to settle for third overall.
In the Silver fleet, Pitipoom Jaroenpon (THA) dominated<br />
with a 23 point winning margin from Supakan Kerdsakul<br />
(THA) in second and Amonwan Aphiwatudomkun (THA)<br />
just three points further back in third.<br />
Dinghy Classes<br />
Three races for all the dinghy classes (8, 9, 10, 11) today<br />
wrapped up their series and in Class 8 a 1,3,2 on the final day<br />
was enough for Albert Nazarov (RUS) to claim the title ahead<br />
of Ralf Donner in second and Apichart Tongmak in third.<br />
Ahmad Latif Khan B.Ali Sabri Khan (MAS) finished strong<br />
in Class 9 with a 2,1,1 to take the title ahead of fellow<br />
Malaysians Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif in second and Israr<br />
Hazim B.Ismail in third.<br />
In Class 10, Patcharee Sringam (THA) carved out a three point<br />
lead to claim class honours ahead of Mohammad Shahieran<br />
Rin Raiman (MAS) in second and Eric Owen Tan Chang Fook<br />
in third. Meanwhile in the double-handed dinghies (Class<br />
11), the Thai duo of Jedtavee Yongyuennarn/ Chakkaphat<br />
Wiriyakitti finished their series with a 2,1,2 which wasn’t<br />
enough to overhaul the consistency of Muhammad Syafie<br />
Bin Ali/ Ikrami Hakimin Bin Markham (MAS) who held<br />
on for the class win. Fellow Malaysians, Muhammad Fauzi<br />
Kaman Shah/ Omar Ac Faroue placed third.<br />
Windsurfs<br />
Three races today completed the four-day series for the<br />
windsurfers and Ahmad Danish Abdul Hadi Kame (MAS)<br />
dominated RS:X, their only second place becoming their<br />
drop race. Geh Cheow Lin (MAS) secured second ahead of<br />
Nuur Fatin Solehah Binti Abdul Rahman (MAS) in third.<br />
The RS:One class was similarly dominated by Ilham Bin<br />
Wahab (MAS) who win seven of the eight races. Muhammad<br />
Izzudin Bin Abdul Rani (MAS) finished his series in style<br />
with a win in the final race to secure second place ahead of<br />
Darron Chin Hui Jie (MAS) in third.<br />
IOM RC Yachts<br />
Twelve radio controlled yachts competed in the IOM<br />
RC Yachts class at this year’s regatta and completed an<br />
impressive 27 races over two days. With four discards<br />
allowed, Dean Martin had the edge and finished with 73<br />
points to top the standings and claim the winners prize.<br />
Second place went to Kosit Kanithadis who won on count<br />
back, tied on points with Waranan Yusanon who had to<br />
settle for third place overall!<br />
49
50
51
47 th<br />
ILOILO<br />
PARAW<br />
REGATTA<br />
Words by BARRY DAWSON<br />
Photographs as credited<br />
52
I<br />
But the annual regatta is more than a<br />
race, according to Mayor Jose Espinosa<br />
III before the competition started at the<br />
shores of Arevalo district.<br />
LOILO City – The 47th edition of the Paraw Regatta<br />
attracted over 40 wind-propelled native sailboats<br />
called paraw.<br />
“We do this to enhance public awareness<br />
on the importance of our seas. We<br />
have to protect our marine<br />
resources,” he stressed.<br />
Participating paraws<br />
raced against one<br />
another on the Iloilo<br />
Strait between this city<br />
and the island province<br />
of Guimaras.<br />
Participating paraws raced against one<br />
another on the Iloilo Strait between<br />
this city and the island province<br />
of Guimaras.<br />
Espinosa said he wanted to make the city’s coastline<br />
swimmable again with the support of the Department of<br />
Environment and Natural Resources and other stakeholders.<br />
Lawyer-environmentalist Antonio Oposa,<br />
meanwhile, lauded the Ilonggos’ “culture<br />
of the sea.”<br />
Everyone gets involved with the Regatta<br />
held at this time each year with some very<br />
hefty cash prizes to be won. The Demetillo<br />
family from Leganes dominated the A Class<br />
sailing taking first and second in the main race as well as the<br />
Slalom race the Wednesday before. Arguably the toughest<br />
class, small boats in gusty and choppy conditions. I have<br />
known the Demetillo family for some time. Ramon (Winnie’s<br />
son) as a young lad, used to sail with Iloilo Sailing Club in<br />
Optimists. He also did a stint of training with the Philippine<br />
53<br />
Jun Famur
Sea&Sail Iloilo Sailing<br />
Champion (LD) of<br />
Winnie Demetillo Sr.<br />
Sailing Team at Subic and in Manila. Winnie Demetillo and his<br />
family have cooperated with Iloilo Sailing and Iloilo’s Rotary<br />
West for several years to provide a one day sailing experience,<br />
dubbed ‘Sea and Sail, to children from remote mountain<br />
areas of Panay. The Demetillo family bring the children sailing<br />
in one of their paraws.<br />
Paraw Regatta is<br />
considered the oldest<br />
“traditional craft event”<br />
in Asia and the largest<br />
sailing event in the<br />
Philippines.<br />
Dr. Ronald Raymond<br />
Sebastian, president<br />
of the Iloilo Paraw<br />
Regatta Foundation<br />
Inc. (IPRFI), said the<br />
regatta could grow<br />
even bigger.<br />
The Regatta started on<br />
the shores of Arevalo<br />
district. Sailboats<br />
negotiated the Iloilo Strait toward the Bundolan Point in Jordan,<br />
Guimaras then back again to Arevalo.<br />
Twelve entries were from Boracay Island in, Malay, Aklan,<br />
according to Dr. Roberto Somosa, race director. The rest<br />
were from the municipalities of Leganes and Oton in the<br />
province of Iloilo; from Arevalo district of Iloilo City and<br />
from Guimaras. Fifteen paraws joined Category A; 14 in<br />
Category B; and 12 in Category C.<br />
54<br />
Paraw Regatta is considered the oldest “traditional craft<br />
event” in Asia and the largest sailing event in the Philippines.<br />
It was established more than four decades ago primarily to
55
preserve the paraw as a significant link to the earliest period<br />
of Ilonggo history.<br />
The paraw is a small boat with two stabilizers and was widely<br />
used for travel and trade in the 1200s. Up to this day, it is<br />
still being used as a means of transport as well a source of<br />
livelihood.<br />
The paraw is a strikingly fast boat, travelling at 10-15 knots<br />
through the waves. It was the prototype that inspired<br />
Westerners to develop the trimaran, the fastest sailboats<br />
now on the planet. And of course one of the major highlights<br />
of the regatta is the crowning of Miss Paraw Regatta, with<br />
22 candidates vying for the crown this year it was won by 19<br />
year old Gheneza Marie Mueller.<br />
Winners of this year’s events received their awards at the<br />
final ceremony and they were;<br />
CATEGORY A WINNERS<br />
* 1st (P45,000 ) – LD owned by Wennie Demetillo Sr.<br />
of Leganes, Iloilo<br />
* 2nd (P27,000) – KD owned by Kiven De Asis<br />
* 3rd (P16,200) – RD owned by Rogelio Gareza<br />
* 4th (P9,000) – Ninia and Issiah owned by Hector Espinosa<br />
* 5th (P8,100) – Ave Divine owned by Efren Aguirre<br />
* 6th (P4,500) – Jen-Jen Owned by Cezar Espinosa<br />
* 7th (P4,500) – Nes and Tats owned by Nestor Espinosa<br />
* 8th (P4,500) – Kokoy Apo owned by Ariel Gad<br />
* 9th (P4,500) – Aiya owned by Rogelio Gareza<br />
* 10th (P3,600) – Wenwen owned by Winnie Salcedo<br />
CATEGORY B WINNERS<br />
* 1st (P67,500) – Jolina owned by Reuven Tajanlangit of<br />
Tigbauan, Iloilo<br />
* 2nd (P45,000) – Kiss owned by Ricardo Gabales<br />
* 3rd (P18,000) – Kristine and Kassie owned by Oscar<br />
Espinosa<br />
* 4th (P13,500) – Justine owned by Danny Diomon<br />
* 5th (P10,800) – Discover owned by Paul Rembirt<br />
* 6th (P7,2000 – Cutty Shark owned by Sinel Mike<br />
* 7th (P6,300) – Jonelyn2 owned by Nelson Guzman<br />
* 8th (P5,400) – Apo Tats owned by Cezar Espinosa<br />
* 9th (P4,500) – Jofman V3-2 owned by Nicanor Gad<br />
* 10th (P4,500) – owned by Alehandro Elemento<br />
CATEGORY C WINNERS<br />
* 1st (P90,000) – Kim Aron owned by Efren Aguirre<br />
of Boracay Island<br />
* 2nd (P67,500) – Goodshot Baby owned by Rona Casidsid<br />
* 3rd (P45,000) – Happy Hour owned by Ronel Cahilig<br />
* 4th (P13,500) – Ashley owned by Teddy Belejerdo<br />
* 5th (P11,700) – Consejo owned by Hector Espinosa<br />
* 6th (P9,000) – Marjhonec owned by Hector Espinosa<br />
* 7th (P8,100) – Cheryl owned by Fedrico Tantiado Jr.<br />
* 8th (P7,100) – Happy Camper owned by Jeffe Magno<br />
* 9th (P6,300) – Kudah owned by Alex Ascno<br />
* 10th (P6,300) – RC Lourence owned by Reman Balidiong<br />
Sea&Sail Iloilo Sailing<br />
The Ms Paraw<br />
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Queen and<br />
Princesses<br />
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crowns Ms. Paraw Regatta <strong>2019</strong><br />
Gheneza Marie M. Mueller as<br />
1st Runner Up Ms. Elmarie<br />
Dewara looks on<br />
AMLARASR.<br />
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with Ms. Paraw Regatta 2018<br />
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E<br />
xciting Bicol is the slogan adopted by the Department<br />
of Tourism Officer, Mr. Benjamin Santiago, Regional<br />
Director of Region V and his staff. And after exposing<br />
different parts of Bicol in past editions, one can<br />
easily see why this is the case. Because every place you visit<br />
in Bicol has another or different element of excitement!<br />
The Bicol region known for its iconic sights such as the<br />
Mayon volcano, pristine beaches and unspoilt landscapes<br />
is one of best tourist destinations in driving distance from<br />
Manila. Legazpi City the regional<br />
capital and the provincial capital of<br />
the province of Albay is a 10 to 12<br />
hour drive from Manila. The road trip<br />
though long is scenic if done by bus or<br />
by car; the traveler can enjoy the sights<br />
and the treats along the way. One can<br />
also get there by airline. There used to<br />
be a train service from Manila to Bicol<br />
but it is no longer operation, in fact,<br />
the famous Bicolano dish called the<br />
“Bicolanos are very<br />
much aware of value<br />
of taking care the<br />
environment, they are<br />
very much aware of<br />
the big picture.<br />
“Bicol Express” gets its name from that locomotive service.<br />
There has been news of reviving this rail service and have<br />
it reach all the way to Sorsogon, the southernmost tip of<br />
Luzon Island. The rehabilitation is expected to start this year<br />
and will be complete by 2022. When complete it is expected<br />
to significantly increase the tourism and improve the flow of<br />
goods to and from the region.<br />
Bicolanos are known for their environmental consciousness,<br />
and this shows through in their surroundings, the streets<br />
are clean and even a visit to a fish market<br />
demonstrates this. Department of Tourism<br />
Regional Director for the Bicol Region<br />
Benjamin Santiago mentioned that<br />
“Bicolanos are very much aware of value<br />
of taking care the environment, they are<br />
very much aware of the big picture. Clean<br />
surroundings are not only aesthetically<br />
pleasing and healthy it also attracts tourists<br />
and investments into the area” Mr. Santiago<br />
said.<br />
Words by<br />
BARRY DAWSON<br />
Photos as credited<br />
58
59
with spicy food make sure to confirm if the food is not spicy<br />
before partaking of the local delicacies.<br />
Pili nuts sourced from the Pili tree grown abundantly in the<br />
area and are endemic to the region, its a good source of<br />
protein and fat and can be found in other countries in the<br />
South Pacific, but Bicol is famous for it. Make sure to try<br />
out the various delicacies derived from this unique tasting<br />
nut. If you get them still in a shell, do not even try to crack<br />
it using a door jamb. Its shell is so dense that it will most<br />
probably break the door.<br />
Sights in Albay<br />
BICOL<br />
To get the most of the Bicol experience Tourists and first<br />
time visitors to Legazpi and other areas in Region five. It is<br />
recommended that they drop by the local government tourism<br />
office or the department of tourism regional offices. Drop<br />
by these places to get contact numbers of essential helpful<br />
personnel, as well as brochures, guide books and assorted<br />
literature on assorted destinations in the area. One such<br />
booklet is the Albay Visa, prepared by the<br />
Albay Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts<br />
Office (PTCAO). The Visa is packed with<br />
essential information for visitors to enjoy<br />
the most of their visit to this fine province.<br />
Bicol is famous for their spicy food, the<br />
locals love it, so much so that even their<br />
ice cream is has heat built in through chili<br />
peppers. If your palate is not compatible<br />
The locals love<br />
spicy food, so much<br />
so that even their<br />
ice cream has heat<br />
built in through<br />
chili peppers.<br />
Legazpi is a tourist friendly town and the locals appreciate<br />
the extra business that tourism provides their province. Local<br />
visitors need not worry about learning to speak the local<br />
dialect as Bicolanos generally understand and speak Tagalog<br />
and English. Legazpi city is a place of historical significance<br />
and is generally well preserved relative to the capital of<br />
Manila and many historical buildings have been around for<br />
decades several even before the second world war.<br />
The Cagsawa ruins is always a popular first stop for tourists in<br />
Legazpi, not only does it provide a great view of the Mayon<br />
volcano, it is also one of the best places<br />
for a photo opportunity. One word that<br />
describes the site is “iconic” when the sun<br />
is out and the volcano is not obscured by<br />
cloud cover, tourists can be found taking<br />
turns striking a pose with the old bell tower<br />
and Mayon volcano in the background. The<br />
ruins have stood for almost two centuries<br />
as a symbol of the Bicol landscape, rich<br />
history and the Bicolano’s strength and<br />
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61
BICOL<br />
resiliency to face and rise from the ravages of Mother Nature.<br />
Folklore states that Kagsaw was derived from the word “KAG”<br />
meaning owner and “SAWA£ meaning python. Kagsawa can<br />
also mean excesses or too much. The Eruption on February 1st<br />
1814 was seen as a divine justice for overindulgence. Recorded<br />
as the worst eruption of Mt. Mayon it’s flowing lava killing<br />
over 1,200 people who took refuge in the church which was<br />
engulfed with lava. Today only the Church Belfry remains as a<br />
grim reminder of these past events, standing<br />
among the giant stones spewed out by Mt.<br />
Mayon. Now called Cagsawa, it is managed<br />
by the Daraga Municipal Government , and<br />
now boasts a swimming pool where visitors<br />
can laze around and gaze at the majestic<br />
vista of Mt Mayon.<br />
Mayon skyline view deck<br />
Relaxing with the awesome and the undoubtedly breathtaking<br />
view of Mayon Volcano in front of you and a cool<br />
breeze blowing in your face is one of the most relaxing<br />
things to do in exciting Bicol. No one ever gets tired of<br />
viewing the Mayon volcano. Being so majestically beautiful!<br />
Albay is so fortunate to have such attraction that’s why it is<br />
visited by so many tourists. So if you are planning to have<br />
a vacation in this province, there’s one spot that will let you<br />
do this kind of experience.<br />
The Eruption on<br />
February 1st 1814<br />
was seen as a<br />
divine justice for<br />
overindulgence.<br />
Mayon Skyline View Deck, formerly known as Mayon Rest<br />
house, is a recreational area and is one of the prime tourist<br />
attractions in Albay. It is located at the east of Mayon Volcano<br />
halfway from its peak. To get into the view deck, tourists<br />
62<br />
have to pass through the intestine-like road upward. It has<br />
a lot of curves which is the typical of Philippine mountain<br />
roads. But along these curves, you can see that Mayon is<br />
already peeping! It’s the ideal location for visitors to get a<br />
closer look of the perfect cone of this awesome volcano. Try<br />
not to arrive at the view deck when the cone of Mayon is<br />
hiding behind the clouds. The best times are usually about<br />
6am or 6pm where she is usually at her majestic best. But in<br />
the situation when the volcano is not in the<br />
mood to meet its fans, the Mayon Skyline<br />
still ensures that its guests will still have a<br />
great time with other majestic scenery that<br />
can be seen and photographed. On the<br />
other side of the area, there are panoramic<br />
views of the Pacific Ocean, the mountains<br />
of Masaraga and Malinao and some towns<br />
of Albay. There are numerous gazebos<br />
where tourist can stay for a while, relaxing<br />
and enjoying a drink and a snack.<br />
Legazpi Boulevard /Boardwalk<br />
One of the newly developed scenic destinations in Legazpi<br />
City is the Legazpi Boulevard on the eastern side of the city.<br />
It provides a great sunrise view especially for those who go<br />
for their morning jog and bicycle rides. Restaurants and bars<br />
and landscaping in the area is currently being developed in<br />
the area, the sites holds a lot of promise and is the venue for<br />
athletic events such as triathlons and regattas.<br />
Ligñon Hill is another tourist destination that gives a<br />
breathtaking view of Mt. Mayon and the city of Legazpi,
the location is popular with Television crews covering the<br />
occasional seismic activity of the volcano. Ligñon Hill is located<br />
beside the Legazpi Airport and it provides a nice view of the<br />
runway and airliners coming in to land and take off. The hill is<br />
also a location of a World War-2 tunnel made by the Japanese<br />
to store supplies and hide out from American forces who were<br />
liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation. Near<br />
the WW2 Tunnel is a Japanese Zero Fighter memorial newly<br />
developed by the City Government of Legazpi.<br />
Vera Falls<br />
Located in the Municipality of Malinao in Tabaco City, Albay,<br />
Vera Falls is a refreshing place to visit. Water from several<br />
tributaries on Mt. Malinao and natural springs provide Vera<br />
falls with cool, clean water that visitors can enjoy to cool off<br />
from sweltering summer sun. From the falls, visitors can even<br />
enjoy a guided inner tube ride down the rapids emanating<br />
from the falls.<br />
Mount Masaraga<br />
Located in Ligao, Albay, together with Mt. Manilao and Mt.<br />
Mayon are the triumvirate of mountains of Albay. With Mayon<br />
being the tallest and most iconic. Mt. Masaraga has a nice<br />
campsite for visitors who like to be one with nature, either<br />
through bird watching, mountaineering, spelunking or just<br />
enjoying the sights of Bicol. For those without a tent, there’s a<br />
single cottage that 4 to 6 people can occupy.<br />
Quituinan Hill<br />
Located in the municipality of Camalig is Quituinan Hill, another<br />
site in Albay where television crews set up their cameras during<br />
potential eruptions. The hill gives a commanding view of Mt.<br />
Mayon with little foot traffic and is located in an area with<br />
good mobile data connectivity because of its proximity to<br />
cellular towers. Horseback riding and All terrain vehicle rides<br />
are offered here as well as a tour of caves that Japanese used<br />
to store ammunition for artillery batteries during WW2.<br />
Sumilang Lake<br />
While in Camalig, Albay families and tour groups can drop by<br />
Sumilang Lake for a quiet picnic on the water on large bamboo<br />
rafts meals and refreshments such as pili and sili ice cream are<br />
available at several restaurants and refreshment stands on the<br />
lake shore.<br />
All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) trails<br />
For those looking for a powered way to enjoy the sites around<br />
Mayon Volcano and Albay, there are three ATV trails recognized<br />
by the local tourism office, the first one is located near the<br />
Cagsawa Ruins in Daraga, the next one is Pawa, Legazpi and<br />
63
it’s a 400 meter trek uphill to the top and it’s best to wear<br />
rubber shoes. There are refreshment stands on route to<br />
the top as well as the summit to quench the thirst of the<br />
weary hiker. There are also a small selection of restaurants<br />
waiting at the bottom of the hill for non trekkers to wait, or<br />
for trekkers to fill themselves up with local delicacies after<br />
their trek down from the hill. Located beside the Kawakawa<br />
hill is the bamboo setum, where more than 20 species<br />
of bamboo are planted for harvesting for use in making<br />
furniture, handicrafts and useful items. Other attractions<br />
by the bamboo setum is a bamboo bridge, lovers hill and a<br />
sunflower garden.<br />
On the Water<br />
the third one is in Sto. Domingo. The three sites each have<br />
different trails and offer unique perspectives of the scenery.<br />
The trails have varied lengths and levels to suit beginner to<br />
advanced trail riders.<br />
BICOL<br />
Kawa-kawa Hill Park<br />
Located in Ligao City, Albay, Kawakawa<br />
Hill Park has several attractions<br />
and is considered by Catholics as a<br />
pilgrimage site. The Divine Mercy<br />
Monastery Church is on the base of<br />
the hill and provide parking for those<br />
with vehicles. One such attraction is the life-sized last<br />
supper statue on the base of Kawa-kawa hill, known as the<br />
hill without a hill-top because of its cauldron shaped top.<br />
The word “kawa” in Filipino means big kettle or cauldron.<br />
Stations of the Cross are placed on the path to the top,<br />
Kawa-kawa hill<br />
is known as the<br />
hill without a hilltop<br />
because of its<br />
cauldron shaped top.<br />
The Albay gulf has several dive sites and marine sanctuaries<br />
cared for and watched over by the Integrated Coastal Resource<br />
Management office of Legazpi City, a group tasked with<br />
safeguarding the city’s aquatic and coastal resources. Among<br />
their initiatives are assisting locals in planting seaweed<br />
and kelp as a livelihood and planting<br />
mangroves select areas around the<br />
Albay gulf. One such area we visited<br />
was the Dawitan River. Several species<br />
of mangroves were planted in the area<br />
several years ago and are propagating<br />
well. Mangroves area ideal places for<br />
fish to spawn, helping ensure that<br />
the marine resources in the area are<br />
sustained for generations to come.<br />
The Integrated Coastal Resource Management Office is<br />
located on the Legazpi Boardwalk, Mr. Rhoneil Esteves a<br />
marine eco-diver, gave us a tour of the river and told us<br />
64
65
Although we know these places exist, most of us probably<br />
haven’t set foot in one them or even seen them, but we<br />
know what they are, where they are, and why they are wellknown.<br />
The name is so powerful and established enough to<br />
push the place to the top of our respective bucket lists.<br />
One of the better ones that comes to mind is Misibis Bay.<br />
Even local tourists who haven’t been to the Bicol region are<br />
aware that this 5-hectare island resort exists. And for the<br />
overseas visitor, looking to enjoy the best the Philippines<br />
has to offer should be made aware of this resort, because<br />
Misibis Bay has become an icon in Albay, not only just a<br />
resort, but as a destination to be thoroughly enjoyed by<br />
young and old alike. A tropical getaway sitting on Cagraray<br />
Island in Albay, 500 meters from Cagraray Eco-Park and<br />
forty km from Albay, Misibis Bay boasts of an outdoor pool,<br />
a spa and wellness facility, and a private beach area.<br />
of their efforts to protect the environment for future<br />
generations. Being a diver, Mr. Esteves knows all the dive<br />
sites in an around the Albay gulf.<br />
Misibis Bay<br />
You can count on one hand the<br />
number of island resorts situated in<br />
the Philippines that can lay claim to<br />
being something out of the ordinary.<br />
Where, the name of the resort is enough to trigger an endless<br />
succession of images of a luxurious paradise in our minds.<br />
BICOL<br />
The name of the resort<br />
is enough to trigger an<br />
endless succession of<br />
images of a luxurious<br />
paradise in our minds.<br />
Combining traditional local designs with modern amenities,<br />
each room at Misibis Bay has air conditioning and comes<br />
with an LCD cable TV, a DVD player, and a safety deposit<br />
box, as well as coffee making facilities. The ensuite bathroom<br />
comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries and some of the<br />
rooms are fitted with a bathtub. For<br />
that special meal and Inspired by local<br />
flavours, Spice Market offers a variety<br />
of Asian and international favorites.<br />
Sula serves a wide selection of wines<br />
and spirits as well as snacks while inroom<br />
dining and room service is also<br />
available. There is also a gym to help<br />
keep those fitness levels up. For an<br />
early morning adrenaline rush, try out<br />
Misibis Bay’s unique ATV adventure. Just before the break<br />
of dawn, you get on an ATV and ride out of the resort where<br />
66
67
Aniao Islets<br />
BICOL<br />
your guide takes you up a hill so you can watch the sun rise<br />
above Cagraray Island on one side and have a glimpse of the<br />
Mayon Volcano on the other side, all while you enjoy a cup<br />
of coffee and some freshly baked bread. This is just another<br />
amazing way to start your day.<br />
Just remember one thing, Misibis Bay<br />
is not for budget minded traveller or<br />
backpacker. Like many other exclusive<br />
resorts in the Philippines, Misibis Bay<br />
caters to those tourists who want to be<br />
pampered in luxury. One thing that is very<br />
noticeable at this resort is the pride the<br />
staff takes in their caring and attentive service, along with<br />
the well-appointed rooms, and secluded location, all these<br />
Misibis Bay caters<br />
to those tourists<br />
who want to be<br />
pampered in luxury.<br />
come at a price. But one thing that doesn’t get highlighted<br />
enough about Misibis Bay Resort is the range of activities<br />
than guests can do during their stay at this magical place.<br />
There are any number of watersports to be enjoyed by the<br />
guests like sailing, Jet skiing, Banana Boat<br />
Rides, Windsurfing, diving, swimming,<br />
snorkelling, hiking, parasailing are just a<br />
few of the fun activities in store for you.<br />
Sailboats available are two Hobie Getaways<br />
that can take up to 5 passengers, they also<br />
have stand up paddle boards that guest<br />
can use. Guests can also relax at one of<br />
two pools while sipping your favourite<br />
drink, forgetting the rest of the world exists while you take<br />
time out away from the hustle and bustle of suburban life.<br />
So if you’ve been dreaming of experiencing the luxury and<br />
pampering that Misibis Bay has to offer, then now is the<br />
time to do it.<br />
68<br />
Cagraray Echo Park<br />
Misibis Bay lies in the shadow of Cagraray Eco-Park, which<br />
makes it easily accessible from the resort. A van tour would<br />
take you to the Amphitheatre, the chapel, a hanging bridge,<br />
and zipline area. There are many vantage points along the<br />
way that will give you an awesome view of the bay.<br />
Another adrenaline rush that is quite exciting is riding the<br />
luge down the eco-park paved way. They use the street<br />
luge, which is like a wheeled sled that you can ride down a<br />
slope. It’s a great and exciting way to spend time with family<br />
and friends.
69
BICOL<br />
Places to Eat<br />
The flavors of Bicol are unique to the Philippines; no other<br />
province loves spicy food more than Bicolanos. One popular<br />
dish from the area is a pork dish flavored with coconut<br />
milk, fermented shrimp and lots of chilies, the dish is called<br />
Bicol Express, named after the train service that used to run<br />
through the province.<br />
One of the most iconic places to eat in Bicol for tourists and<br />
locals is the 1st Colonial Grill. It’s an iconic landmark known<br />
for their Bicolano dishes and Sili (chili) ice scream. It has<br />
a few branches in Legazpi, two in Naga, one in Sorsogon<br />
and even in Metro Manila. One dish worth recommending<br />
is Bahay Kubo a vegetable salad with all the vegetables in<br />
the lyrics of the classic folk song. For desert you can try<br />
their homemade ice cream made from local indigenous<br />
ingredients such as pili nut, malunggay, kalamansi or if<br />
you’re feeling adventurous try the level - 4 Sili ice cream.<br />
70
Rizal st. in Legazpi runs to through the Central Business<br />
District of Legazpi this means some of the best restaurants<br />
in the City can be found here, one<br />
favorite hangout of the locals is a<br />
Bicolano fusion restaurant called the<br />
Small Talk Cafe’ where the flavors of<br />
Bicol merge with classic Italian staples<br />
such as pasta and calzone. The simple<br />
family owned operation ensures the<br />
qualities of ingredients are put in<br />
every dish.<br />
Across Rizal street from Small Talk Cafe’<br />
is Bob Marlin Restaurant it has its roots in Naga, Camarines<br />
Sur where it’s practically an institution known for their tasty<br />
crispy-pata and other classic Filipino and Bicolano dishes.<br />
Camarines Norte, Daet and Mercedes Group of Islands<br />
The Province of Camarines Norte is the northernmost<br />
province of Region V or the Bicol region, unlike most<br />
provinces of the Philippines; Camarines Norte does not<br />
have any cities. Its provincial capital Daet is a first class<br />
municipality with a population of a little over 100,000,.<br />
Some of the areas of the province are Tagalog speaking while<br />
the rest are Bicolano speaking. But domestic tourists visiting<br />
Camarines Norte don’t need to brush up on the Bicolano as<br />
all the locals speak Tagalog fairly well. Like most areas of the<br />
Philippines, the province is fairly laid back and the people<br />
hospitable and accommodating.<br />
Bantayog Festival<br />
The dish is called Bicol<br />
Express, named after<br />
the train service that<br />
used to run through<br />
the province.<br />
Held each year in April has been running for 99 years with<br />
the year 2020 it will celebrate 100 years.<br />
Active Boating and Watersports<br />
Magazine was invited to visit Camarines<br />
Norte for the 99th Bantayog Festival<br />
commemorating the establishment of<br />
the first ever monument dedicated<br />
to Jose Rizal the Philippines’ national<br />
hero, it was erected in the Daet town<br />
plaza in 1920, and the festival also<br />
coincides with the foundation day of<br />
the Province of Camarines Norte.<br />
This year, as one of the events of the Bantayog Festival,<br />
the provincial government inaugurated the Corazon C.<br />
Aquino Boulevard, a 5 kilometer coastal road running from<br />
Mercedes all the way to Bagasbas beach. The infrastructure<br />
71
work is complete and all that is left to do is the landscaping<br />
and once done, it will be one of the longest boulevards in<br />
the country. Features that will not doubt attract visitors and<br />
investors to the area<br />
The provincial<br />
and help bring about<br />
the cityhood of Daet.<br />
government<br />
inaugurated the<br />
To get the most of<br />
the Daet experience,<br />
Corazon C. Aquino<br />
we recommend<br />
Boulevard, a 5 km.<br />
coordinating with the<br />
coastal road.<br />
Provincial Tourism<br />
Office, just across<br />
the street from the<br />
hundred year old Rizal Monument. Bong Palma, the<br />
provincial tourism officer and his staff will be happy to hook<br />
you up with the right guides and transport operators to<br />
maximize the experience.<br />
72<br />
Daet is known as a jump-off point to several island<br />
destinations such as Calaguas Island and the Mercedes<br />
group of Islands. Calaguas is known to be an island paradise<br />
and one of the best places to for a tropical island jaunt.<br />
Bagasbas beach a long strip of white sand beaches is a major<br />
tourist attraction in Daet. Visitors can enjoy skim-boarding<br />
as well as kitesurfing or just laying out on the beach’s<br />
fine white sand or even having a good meal hotels and<br />
restaurants in the area. Places like the Bagasbas Lighthouse<br />
and Catherine’s.<br />
The town of Mercedes is 4km away from Daet and is the<br />
area’s main fish port, residents of Mercedes are very much<br />
aware of maintaining the viability of the marine ecosystem<br />
as the economy of Mercedes relies primarily on products<br />
from it. If you’re a fan of seafood this is the place to go, you<br />
can buy fresh seafood from the market and have one of the<br />
nearby restaurants cook the dish in their special Bicolano<br />
way. The Mercedes fish port is also the take off point<br />
if going island hopping to the 7 islands in the Mercedes<br />
group. A banka charter will set you back 2500 to 3000 for a<br />
whole day tour of the Mercedes islands, one banca can carry<br />
4 to 8 people.<br />
Canimog Island is the biggest in the group but it’s generally<br />
uninhabited. The northwest side of the Island has a<br />
lighthouse the only man made-structure on the island,<br />
erected in 1927 and is believed to be one of the first in the<br />
area. It’s fairly easy to get to the lighthouse, there’s a paved<br />
path and a stairs from the landing area on the western side<br />
of the island all the way up to the site. The lighthouse is<br />
primarily used by fishermen coming back to Mercedes from
73
BICOL<br />
the Pacific. On the southern end of the island is a stretch of<br />
white sand beach that faces the other islands in the chain,<br />
a short stroll to the south eastern side of the island will lead<br />
you to some rock formations and if the tides are right you’ll<br />
notice tidal pools form between them, with<br />
crystal clear water.<br />
The twin islands of Apuao, Apuao Grande<br />
and Apuao Pequeña are linked by a sandbar<br />
and each have their own attractions; the<br />
bigger island has caves formed by the waves,<br />
while the smaller Pequeña has pine trees and<br />
is a fruit bat sanctuary and a view deck on<br />
the north side of the island with an amazing view, the view<br />
deck is accessible by a short 15 minute trek from the beach.<br />
Quinapagian Island is one of the flatter islands in the<br />
Mercedes chain is best visited during high tide as the it does<br />
get fairly shallow and some of the bigger bancas can run<br />
aground, there is one resort on the island for those who<br />
wish to stay overnight, Mi Amor Resort is rustic and simple<br />
and is managed by the Amores family.<br />
The twin islands<br />
of Apuao, Apuao<br />
Grande and Apuao<br />
Pequeña are linked<br />
by a sandbar.<br />
The Island of Caringo one of the few<br />
populated islands in the Mercedes<br />
group is a popular destination among<br />
backpackers because of homestay<br />
options on the island and the lovely<br />
white sand beaches maintained by<br />
the residents of the island. It is<br />
recommended to put a day of Island<br />
hopping at Mercedes on your bucket list of things to do.<br />
How to get there<br />
Flying; Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Cebco operate<br />
a number of flights daily from Manila. By Bus, There<br />
are a number of bus companies like Amihan, DLBT and<br />
Philtranco, just to name a few that operate up to eight<br />
regular daily services to Legazpi. Fares range from about<br />
P800 and traveling time is 9 to 11 hours depending on<br />
traffic conditions. By Car the trip usually takes approx. eight<br />
to nine hours and the distance is 500 klm.<br />
Places to stay<br />
74<br />
The City of Legazpi and the province of Albay offer many<br />
options for accommodations for all sorts of travelers, from
hotel you’re staying in. The rooms are fairly comfortable<br />
with all the comforts you can expect from a professionally<br />
run hotel. While in Daet there are some very good budget<br />
priced hotels like the Pineapple Resort Hotel, Caluguas<br />
Gateway and Prime Suites, or if you wish to stay out at the<br />
beach The Bagasbas Lighthouse Beach Resort would be the<br />
pick in that area.<br />
students, to backpackers to businessmen and even families<br />
on holiday enjoying the sensual pleasures the province has<br />
to offer. A simple internet search or query through the local<br />
tourism office will get you all the options.<br />
While we were in Legazpi we stayed at the Oriental Hotel<br />
Legazpi, perched on top of hill in the heart of the city it<br />
gives a commanding view of Legazpi all the way to Albay<br />
gulf or Mayon volcano depending on which side of the<br />
Active Boating and Watersports would like to thank DOT<br />
Regional Director Mr. Benjamin Santiago, Tourism Officer<br />
Joseph Trilles, Roel B Llarena from PTCAO, Mark Esplana<br />
and Jay-r Garalde Legazpi Tourism Office, Agapita S Pacres<br />
City Tourism Officer, Hon. Noel S Rojal City Mayor, Dorothy<br />
F Colle PTCAO Department Head, Maryann Colle PTCAO,<br />
Jed L Villanueva Camalig Tourism Officer, Rose Ann B<br />
Mostaza Camalig Tourism Staff, Angela Pacres Tourism<br />
Officer Daraga, Mr. Rhonel T. Esteves from the Integrated<br />
Coastal Resource Management, Bong Palma and Myrna<br />
Gobrin from Daet Provisional Tourism for their support and<br />
assistance in preparing this feature.<br />
Misibis Bay<br />
ALBAY<br />
A L B A Y<br />
Map of Albay<br />
75
Sail<br />
Making Sailors That<br />
Words by JUSTIN DOMINIC ROBLES &<br />
ROY ESPIRITU Photographs as Credited<br />
76
Launching the Balangay Marina Sailing and Yacht Club<br />
W<br />
hat started as quick after church chats about<br />
the Balangay boats between two friends Justin<br />
Dominic Robles and Capt. Gilbert Maturan a year<br />
ago has grown into a movement much greater<br />
than themselves. Here is the background of their story on how<br />
they established and launched the Balangay Marina Sailing and<br />
Yacht Club and then some.<br />
Being in an archipelago of 7107 islands,<br />
it’s no surprise that early Filipinos were<br />
truly a people of the sea. As most<br />
settlements were in coastal villages or near<br />
rivers, boats were linked to many aspects<br />
of Filipino life such fishing, trade, warfare,<br />
travel, communication and dwelling. The<br />
Barangay, the smallest administrative<br />
unit of government in the country today<br />
is supposedly derived from the word<br />
Balangay, our country’s national boat.<br />
These lessons will<br />
help them become<br />
well rounded seafarers<br />
and eventually<br />
future leaders in the<br />
shipping industry.<br />
due to the shortage of experienced sailors, only seven made<br />
it to the water. Despite that, the colorful sails and painted<br />
hulls made for an amazing sailing extravaganza the region<br />
hasn’t seen since the use of engines for boat propulsion.<br />
Unlike previous FBWs where families and groups assemble<br />
and finish boats in three days from prefabricated kits, this<br />
time, majority of the work from prefabrication,assembly<br />
and finishing were<br />
done by SJIT-SMET cadets, with brunt<br />
of the work done by Teekay scholars<br />
supervised by PHBYC instructors. With<br />
cadets having full participation in the build<br />
of boats they will be using for sail training<br />
and racing; should anything happen to the<br />
boat while out sailing they would know<br />
what they need to do to get it sailing again,<br />
developing seamanship skills that will be<br />
useful in their future maritime careers.<br />
In 2010, Replicas of the Balangay boats embarked on a<br />
17-month expedition which took the voyage team all over<br />
Southeast Asia. They braved stormy seas and intense heat,<br />
their only reward was seeing the excitement and smiles of the<br />
children they have inspired, greeting them as they come in to<br />
their ports of call. This rekindled a sense of pride for Filipino<br />
maritime history that has otherwise been long forgotten. This is<br />
the Revival of the Lost Sailing Culture.<br />
REVIVING A LOST SAILING CULTURE with the<br />
Balangay Marina Sailing and Yacht Club (BMSYC)<br />
The BMSYC started as an initiative to revive a lost sailing<br />
culture and promote the maritime history and heritage from<br />
the grassroots level up. The Balangay Marina Sailing and<br />
Yacht Club (BMSYC) was launched with a Family Boatbuilding<br />
Weekend (FBW) on May 23-26, <strong>2019</strong> at the Saint Joseph<br />
Institute of Technology-Maritime Education and Training<br />
(SJIT-SMET) Cubi Cubi Campus, a maritime academy in<br />
Nasipit, a small town just outside of Butuan City. The event<br />
was a collaboration with the Philippine Home Boatbuilders<br />
Yacht Club (PHBYC) and SJIT-SMET, supported by Hyde<br />
Sails, Pioneer Adhesives, Broadwater Marine, Polymer<br />
Products, Duckworks Boat Builders’ Supply along with<br />
the Teekay Foundation cadets under their Future Leaders<br />
Program. Helping out are members from Taal Lake Yacht<br />
Club, Subic Bay Yacht Club and SAGS Subic Sailing and the<br />
Balangay Voyage/Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition Team<br />
BMSYC’s boat building activity was planned to be the biggest<br />
FBW ever. PHBYC organized five FBWs with the Oz Goose<br />
before, but it has always been no more than 10 boats at a time.<br />
For this event, parts for 20 boats were ordered by BMSYC’s<br />
proponents,; however, due to unexpected manpower and<br />
logistics issues during the 2-week pre-fabrication and<br />
assembly period, only 10 of the boats were completed; and<br />
Invited guests from around the country were amazed at the<br />
energy and enthusiasm of the cadets who were enjoying the<br />
fruits of their labor, PHBYC instructors were equally amazed<br />
on the profound effect of the event on the cadets, “You<br />
could feel the excitement in the air when the boats were<br />
carried to the beach.” said Paulo Topacio an Oz Goose sailor<br />
of PHBYC. Dr. Leticia Salas, President and CEO of SJIT was<br />
equally enthused during the ceremonial drizzling of libation<br />
on the fleet prior to their maiden sail. This coming school<br />
year, SJIT-SMET Physical Education (PE) classes will involve<br />
sailing, a first in the country.<br />
The Oz Goose the simplest and most affordable one-design<br />
sailing dinghy in frequent use in the Philippines. The choice of<br />
the Oz Goose was because of inclusivity, removing the false<br />
notion that sailing as a sport is limited to only the wealthy.<br />
Sailing should be accessible and open to everyone. A popular<br />
pitch among the sailing community is that the Oz Goose is a<br />
boat you can own for less than the price of an iPhone.<br />
The initial advocacy remains at the core of the project,<br />
promoting sailing as a means of preserving the Philippines’<br />
rich maritime culture, history and heritage. They hope to<br />
achieve this by becoming a bridge linking our seafaring past<br />
with our modern maritime industry. The group will be based<br />
out of the SJIT-SMET Campus. The school is a modern, world<br />
class maritime academy. Justin Dominic Robles is appreciative<br />
of the partnership with SJIT, “We are privileged to be able<br />
to work with them hand in hand to implement our vision of<br />
reviving the lost sailing culture” Justin said.<br />
As an educational tool, BMSYC wants to promote sailing<br />
as a means of enhancing the skills and quality of maritime<br />
students through experiential learning. According to Capt.<br />
Maturan of BMSYC “Although sailing is currently not an<br />
academic requirement in the maritime industry, it would be<br />
77
of great benefit if students can learn to understand and take<br />
advantage of the forces of nature, the wind, the waves, the<br />
currents and how they can be harnessed to power a craft.<br />
With this knowledge ingrained into them, they will become<br />
better seafarers more attuned to their environment.”<br />
“By gaining practical experience in<br />
boatbuilding, maintenance and fleet<br />
management, the students will become<br />
more accustomed to tasks they will<br />
eventually be doing anyway as professionals.<br />
These lessons will help them become well<br />
rounded seafarers and eventually future<br />
leaders in the shipping industry except they<br />
are now equipped with a deeper connection<br />
and appreciation of their history, culture and heritage knowing<br />
that being in the sea is in their blood, it is part of who they are<br />
as a people.” Capt. Maturan added.<br />
Sailing in the recreational or competitive yachting circle can even<br />
become a viable career option not only for maritime graduates<br />
but also for athletes. Demand for experienced crew members<br />
is very high globally. In fact a common challenge among local<br />
yacht racing teams constantly has to look for crews because<br />
experienced sailors are often being pirated by teams from<br />
abroad. The demand is also great for coaches and instructors<br />
who teach sailing to students, some as young as 5 years old<br />
to become competitive sailors when they get older. Also, by<br />
teaching sailing to young children in the local community.<br />
Relative to its neighbors, the Philippines has been lagging<br />
behind as a recreational boating destination despite being a<br />
tropical archipelago. It has some of the most beautiful islands<br />
in the world and year round sailing conditions yet very low<br />
Teaching sailing will<br />
help students become<br />
more sensitive to issues<br />
and provide them an<br />
avenue to implement<br />
necessary actions.<br />
representation in the industry. The lack of general knowledge,<br />
interest and infrastructure has held it back immensely. Being<br />
that Butuan is the historical home of the Balangay gives it a<br />
special claim for becoming a hub for a cultural maritime revival.<br />
BMSYC is blessed to be near Nasipit town’s deep water<br />
harbour which can provide protected mooring for vessels<br />
year round. In the near future, they hope to develop the<br />
surrounding community to becoming an essential partner in<br />
their long term vision by developing a marina in the harbour.<br />
This has the potential to uplift the local community which<br />
can provide skilled labour for boat maintenance and repair.<br />
BMSYC hopes to promote the region as a hub for sailing and<br />
recreational boating in the Northern corridor of Mindanao<br />
which is currently devoid any organized sailing activities.<br />
Environmentally, BMSYC aims to teach sailing to students<br />
as a means of looking forward and preparing them for<br />
a more sustainable and ecologically<br />
friendly shipping industry. As it is the The<br />
International Maritime Organization has<br />
pledged to reduce carbon emissions from<br />
shipping by at least 50% by 2050, in fact,<br />
several companies have event pledged to<br />
becoming carbon neutral by that time.<br />
Sailing as an outdoor activity is centered on<br />
the environment. It is an effective platform<br />
for promoting environmental awareness in the fight against the<br />
issues of climate change and plastic waste polluting our oceans.<br />
Environmentalism is a global cause that unites everyone.<br />
Teaching sailing will help students become more sensitive to<br />
these issues and their future positions in the maritime industry<br />
will provide them an avenue to implement necessary actions.<br />
BMSYC hopes that this program can benefit the community as<br />
a whole and encourages others to join, support, recommend<br />
ways to improve and eventually even replicate elsewhere in<br />
the country to spread the advocacy of sailing and the ancient<br />
Filipino maritime culture of our forefathers allowing it to live<br />
on in the hearts and mind of every Filipino.<br />
78
79
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81
With over 38 slides &<br />
attractions available spread<br />
over ten hectares that are<br />
surrounded by lush tropical<br />
scenery; be ready for a full<br />
day of relaxing yet satisfying<br />
experience this summer.<br />
Super Bowl<br />
Words by ROY ESPIRITU<br />
Photographs as credited<br />
Aqua Planet Waterpark would have to be the<br />
biggest waterpark in the Philippines and also one<br />
the biggest in Asia. For one who loves having<br />
fun in the water, I cannot think of better way<br />
to beat the heat this summer than spending a day at the<br />
Waterpark, and those who love water slides, rides and lots<br />
of fun keeping cool, definitely would not want to miss this.<br />
The Park is Located just two hours’ drive from Metro Manila,<br />
making it a great day trip with the family!<br />
With over 38 slides & attractions available spread over ten<br />
hectares that are surrounded by lush tropical scenery; be ready<br />
for a full day of relaxing yet satisfying experience this summer.<br />
On Arrival at Aqua Planet you are fitted with an electronic<br />
wrist band this is your entrance ticket, and as there is a<br />
cashless policy at the waterpark you can load your wristband<br />
with some cash to make purchases inside the park of<br />
82<br />
souvenirs, drinks and food, or you may prefer to use your<br />
credit or ATM card. There are shaded tables and chairs or if<br />
you prefer you can rent a cabana that will accommodate up<br />
to 25 people; these are equipped with an electronic safe to<br />
protect your valuables while you are thoroughly enjoying the<br />
attractions on offer. If you have little ones then you should<br />
opt for the Bubblies Cabanas E-H as these are nearest to the<br />
kiddie area, allowing you to rest while still keeping an eye<br />
on the little ones.<br />
The experience at the waterpark is unbelievable and a body<br />
should try everything possible while at the park. To whet<br />
your appetite, here is some of what is on offer.<br />
The Super Bowl<br />
The Super Bowl is a four person ride that the whole family can<br />
enjoy together! This unique ride is best described as being in<br />
the spin cycle of a washing machine which comes pretty close
WATERPARK<br />
to describing this exhilarating experience. The spiral tubes<br />
will have you swinging from side to side before splashing<br />
down into the catch pool with excitement and style.<br />
The Wave Pool<br />
To enjoy the waves of the beach without the hot sand, head on<br />
over to the Wave Pool for a splashing good time. Grab a life jacket<br />
and head on in where you’ll be blown away by the 8 different<br />
types of waves. There is even a huge LCD screen in front where<br />
you’ll get to catch yourselves in action. You can also try boogie<br />
boarding in the Boogie Bay. If you have always wanted to try this<br />
but a mite cautious of the unpredictable ocean, then you can try<br />
it here in complete safety to double you fun.<br />
The Tornado<br />
Voted as one of the most popular rides at the park, the<br />
tornado, with its many twists and turns The ride takes four<br />
people at a time so it can also be where the whole family<br />
enjoys the experience as one. The tornado is a really intense<br />
ride – arguably the most intense in the entire park! It’s a<br />
long slide filled with twists and turns that make you feel as<br />
if you’re in a tornado and then when you’re done slipping<br />
down the slide, it shocks you with a sudden drop into the<br />
pool. Remember there is a minimum of 4 people that can<br />
ride on the tornado at one time, so you must be a group of 4<br />
persons in order to do a round. If you’re less than that, then<br />
you better hope another group comes around to join you – if<br />
not then you’ll have to wait. If you’re only 3, then if available<br />
one of the staff can accompany you.<br />
The Spiral Slide<br />
This is a great warm up ride to prepare you for the rest of<br />
the bigger and more exciting rides. You can speed through<br />
the loops encountering all the twists and turns that will slow<br />
you down then almost instantaneously sped you up again<br />
for another exhilarating experience.<br />
83
Hurricane 2<br />
Wave Rider or Lazy Pool<br />
Need to chill out for a while and just relax after all the stair<br />
climbing to get to the top of some rides; the Wave Rider is<br />
the best place to do that chilling out. Just grab a floating<br />
ring sit back and relax as you are taken through the park<br />
floating on one of the<br />
tubes.<br />
It’s a long slide filled<br />
with twists and turns<br />
as if you’re in a tornado<br />
and then it shocks you<br />
with a sudden drop<br />
into the pool.<br />
Octopus Racer<br />
Octopus Racers is best<br />
ridden if you’re in a<br />
group of to race but<br />
solo riders are fine, just<br />
no one to race against,<br />
so you can slide alone.<br />
There are six different coloured slides placed side by side<br />
perfect for racing with friends. The slide starts off with a<br />
circular curve then declines back down onto the slippery<br />
ground. This is one of the prettiest attractions at the park,<br />
great for taking a pre-race Instagram photo.<br />
The Hurricane<br />
Is a series of swirling slides that make you feel as if you’ve<br />
been transported into a hurricane! Being a more exciting<br />
version of the spiral slides, it is possibly better to go on that<br />
first to get you acclimatised as it can get pretty fast. There<br />
are four different slides here, the all requiring four riders at<br />
a time so make sure to bring along your friends and family<br />
for some of the most extreme twists, turns, and bends you<br />
can find at a water park – you can ride on either the slow or<br />
fast course rides depending on whether or not you want a<br />
casual ride down, or a crave little more intense excitement.<br />
The Aqua Loop<br />
The Aqua Loop is the most exciting and thrilling ride in<br />
Aqua Planet and is definitely not recommended for the faint<br />
hearted. As you stand above the trapdoor, you can feel your<br />
heart racing in anticipation before you free fall 100 metres<br />
into a 360 degree loop. So if it a blood rushing dose of<br />
excitement you crave to have that adrenalin really pumping<br />
then this is the ride for you.<br />
84<br />
Kiddies Zone<br />
At Aqua planet there is something for everyone, so for the<br />
youngsters in your family that do not meet the height or age<br />
criteria for some of the rides, there is the kiddie zone with<br />
their own little wave pool, spray fountains and of course<br />
what I refer to as the bucket dumpster. At the top of the<br />
structure and play pens there is a huge bucket on a swivel<br />
filling with water. The bucket is balanced in such a way that<br />
when it is full it tips dumping its contents on the children<br />
below to excited squeals of laughter and enjoyment.<br />
So next time you want to cool off from the summer heat<br />
head for Aqua Planet at Clark Pampanga<br />
How to get there By Bus<br />
There are buses aplenty operating between Manila and<br />
North Luzon daily. Victory Liner is one of the favoured bus<br />
companies for a number of North Luzon destinations. It has<br />
bus terminals in Pasay and Cubao.<br />
From Cubao or Pasay terminal, get on a Dagupan-bound bus<br />
to Dau-Mabalacat Bus Terminal. Get off at Dau-Mabalacat<br />
bus terminal in Pampanga.<br />
Walk towards MacArthur Highway. From there, you can<br />
take the jeepney, hire a tricycle to SM Clark or straight to<br />
Bayanihan Terminal (if hiring a tricycle) or get a Grab to take<br />
you straight to Aqua Planet. The total fare is P300-350 and<br />
travel time is approximately three hours.<br />
By Private Car<br />
Drive along NLEX until you reach Dau Exit.<br />
Pay the toll and make a left turn going to Angeles City.<br />
Continue driving until you reach the point where you should<br />
make a right turn going to Clark. Aqua Planet is located at<br />
the north-western portion of Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ).<br />
If you are coming from Subic Bay via SCTEX, You can get to<br />
Clark in approximately 45 minutes. Other reference points<br />
are Clark International Airport (10 minutes), SM Clark (15<br />
minutes), and Angeles Heritage Plaza (20 minutes).
Spiral Slides<br />
Savanah<br />
Super bowl exit<br />
Hurricane 1<br />
85
Article excerpts reprinted from the book<br />
CRUISER HANDLING<br />
by BOB BOND & STEVE SLEIGHT<br />
Sailing Tips<br />
You’ve always been interested to sail, but you know little about boat parts, the confusing techno-babble, and what<br />
little you know is making your head spin in four different directions! Worry no more. This continuing series of<br />
articles is for you: it covers tips regarding hardware present on most boats, as well as common sailing techniques,<br />
terms and definitions, the names of the different pieces of hardware, and much more. This will keep you informed<br />
about most things you will need before you begin your own sailing excursion. Be sure to consult with an experienced sailor<br />
and someone knowledgeable about boats.<br />
Marina Berth<br />
Berthing Alongside - Preparation<br />
Marinas and harbours are often congested and you will probably<br />
find it impractical to try to sail in or out of harbour. Your boat<br />
will be under better control if your use power instead.<br />
You may still have to sail in our out of a berth from time to<br />
time (possibly without much notice, if your engine fails) and<br />
it is an essential part of your seamanship skills to know how<br />
to do so. Practice in an uncrowded harbour or marina, where<br />
there is plenty of room to manoeuvre and to compensate for<br />
any errors you may make.<br />
Never make the mistake, even if you are using power, of<br />
having your mainsail cover on, the headsails bagged up below<br />
decks and the anchor stowed. If anything does go wrong you<br />
won’t be able to hoist a sail to get yourself out of trouble, and<br />
you could drift into another boat or into a quay wall. Play safe<br />
instead by having at least one sail rigged ready for hoisting<br />
and the anchor ready to drop, just in case.<br />
Warps<br />
The warps used for berthing a boat serve different functions.<br />
Two warps, which form the bow and stern lines, position the<br />
86<br />
boat correctly in the berth, and are used by the crew to control<br />
the boat’s speed when coming alongside. The bow and stern<br />
lines have to be strong enough to carry the main load of the<br />
boat and long enough to allow for any rise and fall of the<br />
tide (roughly three times the tidal range). Two other warps,<br />
rigged as springs , prevent the boat from moving backwards<br />
and forwards, and from rubbing against the side of the berth.<br />
These don’t need to be as long as the bow and stern lines:<br />
one and a half times the tidal range is normally sufficient.<br />
The bow and stern lines and the springs need adjusting as<br />
the tide rises and falls. The bow and stern lines, provided they<br />
are long enough, need only to be adjusted at half tide; the<br />
springs may need more frequent adjustment. If you are going<br />
to leave your boat unattended for some time, you must make<br />
sure that you have left enough length on the lines to allow for<br />
the tidal range.<br />
When lying alongside a quay or wall do not lead the springs<br />
through or under the rails, but take them instead through the<br />
fairleads and then outside all the rigging, to prevent chafe<br />
on the deck edge or lifelines as the boat rises and falls with<br />
the tide. You can use for and after breast ropes (at the bow<br />
and stern) to keep the boat close alongside when loading for
Berthing<br />
Berthing on port side<br />
example. There are not , however, essential when both bow<br />
and stern lines, and springs , are used.<br />
When lying alongside a floating pontoon, they can be used to<br />
replace the bow and stern lines . When about to leave a berth,<br />
you usually rig the lines ashore as slip lines, so that the crew<br />
does not need to go ashore<br />
Choosing a berth<br />
Although you may not always be able to<br />
exercise a great deal of choice in where<br />
you berth your boat, there are important<br />
considerations to be borne in mind when<br />
you do. Wherever possible, pick a berth<br />
which is sheltered from the wind (having<br />
previously listened to the forecast in case<br />
any change is likely). You will find a leeward<br />
berth (with the pontoon between you and<br />
the wind) much more comfortable than a<br />
windward one.<br />
The boat on the windward side of the pontoon meets the full<br />
force of wind and waves, and can get buffeted against the<br />
pontoon, The boat on the leeward side, however, is protected<br />
by the pontoon from the full force of the elements.<br />
Wind and tide effects<br />
The force of the wind and the strength of the tide will have<br />
a great impact as their direction. The design of your boat will<br />
determine its reaction to wind effects and you will also have to<br />
bear in mind the effects of propwalk on your progress. When<br />
arriving the main requirement is to get the boat to stop in the<br />
right place. If there is not tidal stream,<br />
the simplest solutions is to approach<br />
The good skipper<br />
briefs his crew in<br />
advance so that they<br />
know precisely what<br />
is required of them.<br />
head to wind, using the wind to slow<br />
you down. If there is a tidal stream<br />
present, this will often have more effect<br />
that the wind, and so you then need<br />
to approach the berth head-to-tide if<br />
possible.<br />
The boat approaching the quay has anticlockwise<br />
prop walk in reverse gear. It is<br />
coming in head-to-tide, using the reverse<br />
prop walk to bring the stern alongside the quay wall. If the boat<br />
had clockwise prop walk, a shallow angle of approach would be<br />
necessary, and the reverse gear would be avoided if possible.<br />
Crew routine<br />
If you stand on the a pontoon watching a boat berthing<br />
up, you can quickly tell the experienced skipper from the<br />
(Story continues on page 92)<br />
How To Berth in windy conditions<br />
How To Berth in windy conditions bow in<br />
How To Berth in windy conditions stern in<br />
87
8th Zambales Life<br />
Words & Photos<br />
by ROY ESPIRITU<br />
88
eguard Challenge<br />
Now on its 8th year, the Zambales Lifeguard<br />
Challenge organized by Zambales Lifesaving Inc.<br />
attracted 62 future lifeguards from around the<br />
province to showcase their life saving skills honed<br />
through lifeguard courses provided by various organizations.<br />
This year’s Challenge was<br />
sponsored by Standard Insurance,<br />
Donaghys, Tees and Prints,<br />
Broadwater Marine, RDH Marine,<br />
Active Boating and Watersports<br />
Magazine and the Municipal<br />
Government of Iba, Zambales.<br />
The event was held at the Palmera<br />
Garden Hotel and Resort in Iba.<br />
Participation in the event<br />
practically doubled this<br />
year, from 34 participants<br />
last year, there were also<br />
more female competitors<br />
this year.<br />
Participation in the event<br />
practically doubled this year,<br />
from 34 participants last year, there were also more female<br />
competitors this year, and March being women’s month, this<br />
fact highlighted the inclusivity of the sport.<br />
The contestants were grouped into three divisions, the<br />
senior division consisted of lifeguards ranging from 16<br />
years and older, while the Junior division consisted of youth<br />
aged 14 to 15, a third Novice division was made especially<br />
for kids aged 13 and under all divisions. The Juniors and<br />
Seniors were grouped into 2 person<br />
teams and competed in eight<br />
events on the 2nd of March, the<br />
main requirement to participate<br />
is that one of the team members<br />
is required to have a Lifeguard or<br />
Junior Lifeguard certification from<br />
any authorized organization. The<br />
novice division competed in six<br />
events on the 3rd of March, and<br />
swimming accreditation is the main<br />
requirement to participate.<br />
Participants and officials of the event wore colorful<br />
jerseys designed and printed by Tees and Prints, the same<br />
89
company that provided uniforms for the Philippine lifeguard<br />
contingent that participated in the Lifeguard Challenge in<br />
Thailand.<br />
Local and international support has been growing for<br />
Zambales Life Saving Inc.’s initiatives on drowning awareness<br />
Having lifeguard skills<br />
adds value to their<br />
skill set should they<br />
enter the tourism and<br />
hospitality industry.”<br />
said Coach Ramos.<br />
and prevention, as well<br />
as keeping kids off<br />
the streets through<br />
lifesaving sports. Not<br />
all junior lifeguards will<br />
go on to have careers<br />
and life saving but<br />
having the lifeguard<br />
skills can be handy<br />
especially in an island<br />
nation like the Philippines. The event’s chief officiator Mr.<br />
Vergel Ramos said that “Our trainees and participants can<br />
look forward to careers as tour guides as well as instructors<br />
in swimming, surfing and other watersports, not to mention<br />
having lifeguard skills adds value to their skill set should<br />
they enter the tourism and hospitality industry.” said Coach<br />
Ramos, a surfing instructor himself.<br />
To provide kids the opportunity to enhance their life saving<br />
skills, Zambales Life Saving Inc. is working with parents and<br />
local organizations to establish monthly events in at least three<br />
locations, SBMA/Olongapo, San Narciso and Iba, Zambales.<br />
The eight events were for the Junior and Senior divisions<br />
were as follows; 1. Beach Flags; 2. Rescue Board and<br />
Transfer relay; 3. Run-Swim-Run relay; 4. Rescue Tube and<br />
Transfer relay; 5. Rescue and Resuscitation assessment<br />
relay; 6. Lifeguard Challenge relay; 7. Ironman challenge;<br />
and 8. Board Race. The Beach Flags and Ironman challenge<br />
were individual events, while the rest were team events. For<br />
more information on the details of these events you can<br />
visit http://www.zambaleslifesaving.org.<br />
Teams in the competition were named after various<br />
sponsors, participants assigned to Zambales Lifesaving Inc.<br />
garnered podium finishes in most events and won the Junior<br />
and Senior divisions overall. The tandem of Mark Anthony<br />
Jezera and Deofred Diag won overall in the Senior division<br />
while, Ivy Bernal and Christian Vasquez bagged the Juniors<br />
trophy. Individual winners in the Seniors divisions for Boys<br />
went to John Jowie Bongon who won 3 gold and 2 silver,<br />
while in the Girls Division Heather “Colleen Sanguyo won 5<br />
gold and 1 silver.<br />
90<br />
The second day of competition was reserved for the<br />
novice division the event is officially called the Nipper<br />
Lifesaving Sports Carnival, primary sponsors on this day<br />
were Broadwater Marine and RDH Marine. The Nipper<br />
Lifesaving Sports Carnival had the same events as the Junior<br />
and Senior division with the exception of the Rescue and<br />
Resuscitation assessment relay and the Lifeguard Challenge<br />
Relay. All other events had some changes to make them less<br />
physically demanding on younger bodies but still kept the
challenge factor for the participants. Overall, the kids had<br />
great fun along with their parents who were watching in the<br />
sidelines and providing moral support.<br />
The winners in the Nipper Lifesaving Sports Carnival are as follows;<br />
In the Boys by age category:<br />
7-8 - Adaoag, Xander Ezikiel - 4 Gold and 1 Silver<br />
9-10 - Acuavera, Psalmer Amiel - 5 Gold<br />
13-14 - Salinas Japhet - 3 Gold and 1 Silver<br />
In the Girls by age Category:<br />
7-8 - Canonizado, Sophia Venice - 4 Gold and 1 Silver<br />
9-10 - Lacuna, Vierra Carmen - 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze<br />
11-12 - Dela Cruz, jasmine Faye, 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze<br />
For updates on Zabales Lifesaving’s initiatives and to pledge<br />
support visit http://www.zambaleslifesaving.org or follow<br />
their social media pages.<br />
91
How To Berth in windy conditions bow in<br />
Using a bow fender<br />
How To Berth in<br />
windy conditions<br />
(Sailing Tips ...story continues from page 87)<br />
inexperienced. The former accomplishes the manoeuvre in<br />
virtual silence. Whereas the latter spends much of the time<br />
shouting abuse at the crew.<br />
The good skipper briefs his crew in advance. So that they<br />
know precisely what is required of them. He also knows their<br />
limitations, and does not demand the impossible from them.<br />
It often helps to carry out a dummy run so that the skipper<br />
can work out the effects of wind and tide on his approach,<br />
and take a look at the mooring points available; the crew get<br />
the chance to rig the lines in plenty of time on the appropriate<br />
side of the boat, and to get the fenders ready.<br />
Although the routine may vary according to the situation, there<br />
is a standard procedure which can usually be followed when<br />
coming alongside, with a crew of two in addition to the skipper.<br />
The warps should be prepared with a bow line fixed to the<br />
bow cleat, and a stern line to the stern, led through fairleads<br />
and outside all the rigging. The fenders should be attached<br />
92<br />
to the bases of the stanchions using a round turn and two<br />
half hitches, where required. The crew then each take a bow<br />
and stern line, and stand outside the lifelines near the shrouds<br />
holding the coiled lines. As soon as the boat closes with<br />
the quay, the crew step ashore. The crew member with the<br />
stern line makes it fast aft of the boat by either dropping a<br />
bowline over a cleat or taking a turn around whatever fitting<br />
is available. The skipper or any other crew member on board<br />
takes up the slack and keeping a turn around the stern cleat,<br />
lets out the line gradually to slow the boat down, if necessary.<br />
The crew member with the bow line makes it fast ashore well<br />
ahead of the boat. The two lines are then adjusted to get the<br />
boat properly in position in the berth. Any excess line should<br />
be coiled on board. Once the bow and stern lines have been<br />
secured , you can rig the springs. The fore spring runs from a<br />
stern cleat, through the appropriate fairlead, outside all the<br />
rigging to a point on the quay or pontoon level with the bow.<br />
The aft spring is led similarly from the bow to a point level<br />
with the stern. On a short-handed boat it may help to rig an<br />
aft spring first midway along the boat. The boat can be held<br />
on this , parallel with the quay or pontoon, while the bow and<br />
stern lines are taken ashore and secured.
SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex,<br />
Pasay City, Philippines<br />
93
HILIPPINE YACHT CLUB DIRECTORY<br />
94
95<br />
HILIPPINE YACHT CLUB DIRECTORY
97
P H I L I P P I N E S<br />
YACHT PARTS, SALES and SERVICE<br />
98