Post by warlock^_^ on Jun 16, 2006 8:17:25 GMT 8
Whitewater rafting boosts Tabuk tourism
June 15, 2006
Updated 11:40pm (Mla time)
Villamor Visaya Jr.
Inquirer
TABUK, Kalinga -- The annual whitewater rafting contest here ended on Wednesday with cheers from competing teams that braved the rapid waters and waves along the 10-km stretch of the Chico River.
Tabuk Mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr. said the annual event has boosted the tourism potentials of this upland town dubbed as the country’s whitewater rafting capital.
Aside from the rapid waters of the Chico River that flow to the Cagayan Valley, the river is the biggest source of irrigation water for the region.
Bulanao village rafters topped the event, besting paddlers from the Army-Kalinga and the Association of Barangay Captains-Tabuk, who came in second and third, respectively.
Danny Bravo, president of the Kalinga Raft Guides Association, said the Chico River has been one of the best whitewater rafting sites in the country.
“This Tabuk area has an average of Class 3 rapids rafting trip, which is good for beginners. The other areas in Kalinga have Classes 4 and 5 recommended for professional paddlers who have been veterans in whitewater rafting. Class 6 is not for commercial rafting because it is risky for rafters and only those daring enough can test this class,” he said.
Tabuk Councilor Oliver Gacuya, Whitewater Rafting Challenge committee chair, called the Tabuk whitewater trip “exhilarating.” It passes through the ancient mini-rice terraces, lush green fields, pastoral villages and narrow limestone canyons.
He said the competition has tested the cooperation and team building efforts of paddlers and guides.
“It works wonders for a group activity,” he added.
The rafters were supposed to start at the upper river portion of Sitio Tumiangan in Barangay Dupag here but officials transferred the starting point to Barangay Naneng and Balatoc-Lucob as the finish line “to restore cultural beliefs of peace and sympathy during time of gloom,” he said.
He was referring to the murder of militant Kalinga leader Rafael Markus Bangit, 47, at the other side of the river in Tumiangan.
June 15, 2006
Updated 11:40pm (Mla time)
Villamor Visaya Jr.
Inquirer
TABUK, Kalinga -- The annual whitewater rafting contest here ended on Wednesday with cheers from competing teams that braved the rapid waters and waves along the 10-km stretch of the Chico River.
Tabuk Mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr. said the annual event has boosted the tourism potentials of this upland town dubbed as the country’s whitewater rafting capital.
Aside from the rapid waters of the Chico River that flow to the Cagayan Valley, the river is the biggest source of irrigation water for the region.
Bulanao village rafters topped the event, besting paddlers from the Army-Kalinga and the Association of Barangay Captains-Tabuk, who came in second and third, respectively.
Danny Bravo, president of the Kalinga Raft Guides Association, said the Chico River has been one of the best whitewater rafting sites in the country.
“This Tabuk area has an average of Class 3 rapids rafting trip, which is good for beginners. The other areas in Kalinga have Classes 4 and 5 recommended for professional paddlers who have been veterans in whitewater rafting. Class 6 is not for commercial rafting because it is risky for rafters and only those daring enough can test this class,” he said.
Tabuk Councilor Oliver Gacuya, Whitewater Rafting Challenge committee chair, called the Tabuk whitewater trip “exhilarating.” It passes through the ancient mini-rice terraces, lush green fields, pastoral villages and narrow limestone canyons.
He said the competition has tested the cooperation and team building efforts of paddlers and guides.
“It works wonders for a group activity,” he added.
The rafters were supposed to start at the upper river portion of Sitio Tumiangan in Barangay Dupag here but officials transferred the starting point to Barangay Naneng and Balatoc-Lucob as the finish line “to restore cultural beliefs of peace and sympathy during time of gloom,” he said.
He was referring to the murder of militant Kalinga leader Rafael Markus Bangit, 47, at the other side of the river in Tumiangan.