Category: Sarangani

Laagan’s WANDER-ful Weekend (Sarangani Bay Fest 2011)

One song, Endless fun…

As usual, to update my youtube account I made another episode my Laagan Adventures’ WANDER-ful weekend… 
Wanna show you how great our Sarangani Bay Fest 2011 was (in video)… (“,)
title: Tambay
artist: Spongcola

Our Sarangani Bay Fest 2011 Experience

layout ad above is borrowed from Official Sarangani Bay Festival 2011 Page
That day was in Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani Province… As some people from different parts of the world were busy forwarding hoax messages about the “May 21, 2011 Rapture”, this southernmost part of the Philippines was being filled with beach bums, campers and first-time-visitors… No worries of being flushed away by gigantic tidal waves, or tsunamis. Just thinking about pure FUN… FUN… CELEBRATION…


 For the 6th year, Sarangani Bay Festival, has already achieved the status of being the most anticipated summer celebration in the region. Of course, I didn’t let this event pass through without being part of it. Even if we came on the last day, we did not get bored because of a number of enjoyable activities. These activities, likewise, didn’t let us get bothered by the intense heat of the sun.


We arrived at 12’Noon and the resorts were already jam packed. We were not able to rent even for an open cottage, so we went in the middle forested part of the beach in between two resorts and decided to pitch our tents there. We were not the first group who settled in that part though. A number of youngsters had already been there since the day before. It only means that the resorts were fully booked even before that culmination day.  

 After eating our lunch, we watched the Cheerdance-by-the-Bay Competition. It was entertaining to see how the participants dance and balance themselves, doing their stunts, on the uneven white sand ground. A great start in capturing a festive Saranggani moment. I enjoyed taking photos then.



 The Beach Football championship game was held after the Cheerdance competition. And we saw the team from our hometown (Polo-LAND) vying for the toughest football team. Our players were good. Unfortunately, their opponent was better (“,)… Well just a positive vibe, with more practice, some might be joining the Azkals soon. 

Aside from the fun filled activities, there are also stalls surrounding the main activity alley. People didn’t starve since the food was overflowing (You need to buy them, but, the prices were reasonable). Booths offering henna tattoos were competitive, with each artist giving his/her best masterpieces. Burloloys and beachwears were hanging around souvenir shops waiting for shoppers to bargain for them. As the waves in the afternoon had gotten stronger, skimboarders were enthusiastically playing rides on them… exhibitions here and there.






The highlight at night was led by the famous band Rocksteddy. It was, indeed… Party! Party! The crowd was energetic singing along with the band. As the night breeze went cooler, the place went even hotter with people dancing on the beat of the sound. The 10min fireworks display painted colours in the sky. It culminates Sarangani Bay Fest 2011 but just started the party-‘till-dawn mood. Certainly, it was a no-liquor-ban party since cerveza were overflowing like bottomless…





Sarangani Bay Festival is definitely a must-see summer event. I was grateful to have witnessed yet another year’s celebration and seen a lot of improvements compared to its humble beginnings. I am looking forward to more exciting treats for the next years. And to add, I am optimistic that Gumasa in Glan, Sarangani Province will be hailed as Mindanao’s Boracay very soon, in that it will frequently be visited by thousands of tourists even if it’s not Sarangani Bay Festival. (“,)

A-Montana Resort (formerly Isla Parilla)

I’ve been to Isla Parilla Resort many times before but, I didn’t have the chance to feature the place in my blog. Last Sunday, I was invited by my balikbayan friend to come with them and tour around the city. One of our itineraries was to go to Isla Parilla… I was able to revisit the place and now, I got some pictures.
Isla Parilla, now A-Montana Resort, is located at Alabel, Saranggani Province. This place is conducive for holding large events such as birthday parties, weddings and business conferences. But for small groups who also want to spend a trip to the place, there are a bunch of amenities the resort can offer for you. The ambience in A-Montana is cool and calm and will let you get closer to nature.

 

The resort has a swimming pool for visitors who want to take a nippy and refreshing plunge. An entrance fee of Php50.00 is charged for swimmers and non-swimmers… Yes, non-swimmers will still be charged so it’s better to enjoy it than murmuring complains. Unless you really had a big reason not to swim (“,).

 

You can also enjoy fishing in their man-made lake and, likewise, go boating to make your stay more of a nature-trip. Their cultured milkfish are healthy and fresh. Then, enjoy meal-by-the-lake in their floating kiosks eating your cooked dish of freshly caught bangus (milkfish).

 

 

Experience Pinoy style Food with a Western twist at the resort’s Formosa Cafe. They also hold events especially during peak seasons like Summer, making your stay more entertaining. Moreover, the cafe has a floating veranda where you can take the pleasure of an al fresco dining.

 

 

A-Montana Resort offers room accommodations for those who want to stay overnight or longer. It has the Family Suites and the Single Cottages. For large group activities, an open function hall and the closed conference rooms are the options.

 

 

 

And don’t worry about the parking space because A-Montana has a wide open lot for vehicles to park.

Their other amenities are:

 

  • Billiards Hall
  • Videoke
  • Playground
Surely, a tour at A-Montana Resort is worthwhile. The place is just 30 minutes away from General Santos City.

Loving Saranggani

I had fun taking some roadside, beachfront and landscape photos of Saranggani Province last weekend, when my team went to Maitum for a water tubing adventure.
The other part of Saranggani, wherein the ride is smooth and the sand  is black.

Panoramic View of the Saranggani Bay

 
 
 
 
Ang Hari ng Kabukiran, Hari na rin ng Lansangan
Home of the Famous Water Tubing Adventure

Sunset by the Beach at Kiamba
Waves Captured

Maitum’s White Water Tubing

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN EXTREME RIVER ADVENTURE but yet AFFORDABLE?…

 

This will surely be the answer to that question- WATER TUBING at Pangi River in Maitum, Saranggani. An extraordinary adventure developed by the locals of Brgy. New La Union, just about a 2-hour ride from the city of General Santos.
Wild River Water Tubing is somewhat similar to that of the famous wild River Rafting or Kayaking. The tripper will have to ride on an improvised floater with river guides to maneuver the way preventing him/her to hit hard on big rocks and/or helping him/her in case of an upside down turn after a big rush fall . This floater is a large wheel interior strapped with a synthetic cord around to make it more sturdy. This also has a web catcher and a handle for a convenient on-seat.

Brgy. New La Union is becoming a famous tourists’ destination because of this extreme adventure. Of course, I won’t just let myself see this on feature articles. Last weekend, my team went to Maasim to experience this escapade which has been crowed around.

 

Water Tubing won’t cost you that much. Just Php 120.00 and you’ll be enjoying the 30 min rushed river ride from upstream to downstream. If you wanna make it more fun, upgrade it to a longer trip of about 45 min by paying Php170.00.