Gensan swimmers repeat win, break record

GLAN, Sarangani (June 1, 2007) - In what could be the biggest summer event in Mindanao if not the whole country, the Sarangani Bay Festival 2007 kicked-off at dawn Thursday spawning records and firsts in the Swim-Across-Sarangani Bay and Lumba Bugsay races.

The annual festival opened with the 15-kilometer Swim-Across-Sarangani Bay with seven five-person teams racing from Tampuan Point, Maasim to Tango, Glan.

The swimmers finished in record fashion with the Dadiangas Torpedoes A successfully defending their title with a record time of 2:50: 15.23 hours and received P40,000 for the top prize.

MJ Fighters B finished second (2:55:01.29 hours) and went home with P25,000 while the Tinoto Dolphins came in third to claim P10,000.

An all-girl team from General Santos City clocked in 3:11:17.05 hours.

It took the Dadiangas Torpedoes team of General Santos City 04:05:18 hours to cross the bay first last year.

It was the longest open ocean marathon swimming competition in the country and probably in Asia.

Lumba Bugsay attracted 47 boats with two rowers aboard vying for the top spot.

The Lumba Bugsay which kicked-off in Kapatan, Glan saw rowers punishing themselves to race for the top spot as they rowed vigorously to Tango, Glan, a distance of three kilometers.

Boat No.25 of Malapatan beat No. 20 of Glan by a hairline to claim 1st place.

In what was a near photo finish, Jimmy Elhebe and Roger Ondong of Malapatan were able to stick their paddle in the sand first at the finish line, seconds ahead of defending champions Ronal Ensik and Wenard Ensik of Glan.

"Let us protect Sarangani Bay," said Gov. Migs Dominguez when he formally opened the festival which will culminate on June 2.

The SarBay Fest is celebrated annually to raise the level of awareness of the people living in the coastal areas of the importance of a clean and ecologically-balanced Sarangani Bay.

"There are a lot of exciting activities that we can do in Sarangani Bay," said Gov. Dominguez.

The provincial government has already institutionalized SarBay Fest through an ordinance for the annual festival which coincides with the charter anniversary of the province during the month of May.

"So we need to help each other in protecting and preserving it," added the governor as he addressed a crowd of almost a thousand who trooped to Reycon Beach Resort in Glan for the opening ceremony.

The Sarangani Bay Trust Fund was also launched during the opening ceremonies. The trust fund aims to raise money for the protection of Sarangani and to fund the personal insurance of volunteer fish wardens.

The provincial government of Sarangani, Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), Sarangani Province Empowerment and Community Transformation Forum Incorporated (SPECTRUM), SOCSKSARGEN Fishing Federation, and the Provincial Network of Resource Managers (PRONET) pooled their resources for the trust fund.

Beach football was also started during the opening day and several indigenous games were played in the Larong Pinoy.

Organizers have lined up beach volleyball, beach football, Mr&Ms. Summer Look, Concert at the Bay and Party at the Bay at the white sand beaches of Gumasa, Glan. (Sarangani Information Office/RIO)