ADVENTURE RACE

                                                                                                                                                -  CZALDY

One of the highlights of the events of the Department of Tourism Xl for 2004 is the “ Paindigay sa Padada”, a festival of dances in honor of the Sr. Santo Nino. Devotees of the Senor need not go to Cebu to honor him for they can venerate and celebrate his feast with the same fervor and festive mood right here. As our region is gaining prominence in eco-tourism, an adventure race was also held in line with the festival as part of the promotional package.

The Mt. Crocodile Adventure Race is a team competition that travels the rugged terrain of the hill and are only armed with wits, stamina and fearlessness. Each team has to complete six stages that requires the racers to solve jigsaw puzzle, abseil/rappel, basketball free throw, coco husking without any equipments, exploration of the Japanese tunnel, and traversing the two rope bridge. Each team has to answer some tricky questions in every stage to test their mental alertness.

The whole activity was planned by the writer, Cholo de la Pena and Aloy Bravo together with the Mt. Apo REACT who was responsible for the technical aspect of the race and the Red Cross for the safety and rescue of the participants. It was almost like an impromptu event as it was planned in short a time but we managed to make it successful despite of some flaws.

The event was participated in by students from the Saint Michael’s School, Carmelo de los Cientos National Trade School, Padada National High School and SK-NCO. The number of participants exceeded our expectation of forty to seventy two participants. Since its only a one day event, each team was required to post only five entrants and the rest can try on the activities that each stages has to offer.

After selecting the best five individuals from among the participating entities, they were given proper identifications, color codes and a passport. The passport is used whenever a team passes a control point and is countersigned by the marshal. Briefing regarding rappelling was given by George of Mt. Apo react and the details on the race proper was given by Cholo. The racers were kind of ambivalent as everybody will have its firsts time to dangle in rope on an 80 degrees cliff. Knees began to shake as the race started at 1:55PM. Team NCO solved the jigsaw puzzle easily and was the first group to abseil. Team NCO is the only team with a lady in the name of Dara Mae Miego. 

                                    

                                                   THE TEAM
 

Team SK NCO showed a strong force since the start of the race, they reached the finished line with a time of 2hrs and 20 mins , Team SMSP lagged by 6 min from the former (2hrs26min) CCNTS came third with a time of 2hrs 36min PNHS 2hrs49min. Certificates and cash prizes were awarded on the Paindigay celebratrion but only SK-NCO were present. The certificates were provided by the Department of Tourism XI.

We would like to thank MT. APO REACT, Dr. Narciso Tomas, Philippine National Red Cross Davao del Sur Chapter and to Pocholo dela Pena for your valuable support. And to our sponsors : Ms. Tessie Mendez, Mrs. Josephine dela Pena, Dir. Sonia V. Garcia of DOT XI, Perla Calderon, Provincial Tourism Council, Provincial Tourism Office, Mayor Antonio Razonable and SB Padada