3-day Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race in Davao del Sur set

by Antonio Colina IV 

IMAGE from DOT-Davao region FB

DAVAO CITY – The municipality of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur will host the Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race from Dec. 16 to 18 where around 300 runners from 20 countries are expected to scale the country’s highest peak.

Municipal tourism officer Julius Paner said that this would be the first international race in the municipality since the pandemic started in 2020.

He said the three-day Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race is co-organized by the Asia Trail Master, an international trail running organization, which tapped the municipality to host the culmination and championship final of the international Asia Trail Master race.

“They gave the manifestation to hold it in the Philippines for the first time. They have been doing it throughout but not yet here in the Philippines,” Paner said. 

He said racers will compete in three categories: 75 kilometers, 100 kilometers, and 50 kilometers.

Romualdo Cabales, race director of Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race, said champions would be hailed as the fastest in Asia.

He said winners of the 100-km category will represent the country in an international race in April.

Paner said hosting an international race is a good mechanism to regain travelers’ confidence, most especially that the municipality is positioning itself as an eco-adventure destination.

“It’s a good signal that Davao region is tourist-ready in terms of international arrivals. We are trying to position Davao del Sur to be an eco-adventure destination. For the longest time, that’s how we brand our locality because that’s the strength of Davao del Sur. Mount Apo is the highest peak and there are attractions within the foothills,” he said.

Department of Tourism (DOT)-Davao director Tanya Rabat-Tan said that the region is excited to hold the event because it would give them the opportunity to showcase the region to international delegates, particularly Mount Apo as an “icon of Davao.”  “It’s an opportunity for us to make them feel that we are ready. We want to promote Davao as a safe destination for our tourists,” she said.

Compostela Valley helps quake-hit areas...

... of North Cotabato and Davao Del Sur

Compostela Valley Province--- It is now time for the people of Compostela Valley to help and show their support, this time in the earthquake-stricken areas of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur.  Gov. Tyron Uy,  himself, visited the affected areas on November 3 and met with the local officials there. 

Employees from the different departments of the Provincial Capitol of Comval Province extended their services in preparing for the relief operations. Among the distributed goods were packed meals, boxes of mineral water and rolls of tent that would be of great help for the affected residents.

“We will device a mission nga makatabang ta didto in one way or another, being a Dabawenyo and also as our brothers and sisters of Mindanao.” said Governor Uy. “Kita mismo naka experience ug calamity ug very thankful pod ta kay ang mga ubang taga laing probinsya nitabang pod sa atua ug maoy  nagsagop sa atua sa pila ka weeks nga lisod ug pait gyud ang supplies sa pagkaon, tubig ug uban pa.” he added.

The Province of Compostela Valley experienced the wrath of Typhoon Pablo way back in the 2012 bringing the whole province into its darkest days. Neighboring provinces and cities of Comval helped the Comvaleños to rise up in all possible ways they could offer.

Now is the time for Comval to return the favor and help its Mindanaoan brothers and sisters to rise and recover. (Jasteen P. Abella, ID COMVAL)

 Photocaption relief 1 & 2- Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy together with other government officials and government employees in Comval Province gave relief operations to the quake-hit areas of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. Comval helps Mindanaoan brothers and sisters to rise and recover.