MACO, Compostela Valley -- As part of Davao Region's 2018 Visit Davao Summer Festival (VDSF), Compostela Valley kicked off its first summer event dubbed as "1st Bobay Climb," an all-women mountain climbing, in Maco on April 21 to 22. Bobay is a Mansaka word for women.
"Usually, the climb in our country is dominated by males. Gamay ra mangapil nga babae (only few females join) because dili kaapas sa pacing sa lalaki ug (they can't outpace the males and their) stamina. Opening this exclusive climb for women will help mainstream that this adventure is for women, too," said Provincial Tourism Officer Christine Dompor.
It was indeed a one-of-a-kind experience as the two-day event began with a health and wellness visit at the Mainit Hot Spring complete with a massage session from the locales. There, the participants experienced a natural sulfuric steam bath while some opted for a relaxing massage.
Others opted for a rappelling adventure from the top of the falls.
Next stop was the camping site at the placid Lake Leonard, a picturesque lake of Barangay New Leyte which used to have crocodiles many years ago but is now thriving with freshwater fish. There, the women bared their physical strength as they raced for the gakit (bamboo raft) single and group paddling competition. While the evening was another treat as the bobays were offered a sumptuous and healthy meal. And capping the night, they sang and danced their heart out with the live band.
Earlier, advocacy lectures were also given on climate change by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Raul Villocino and on Women's health by Provincial Health Office Asst. head, Dr. Mary Cyrel Pasaol.
The second day was an estimated 2.5-hour trek going towards the amakan crater nestled on a small cusp of hill where they traversed through foliage, plains and a challenging uphill trek with boulders and loose soil.
The eight-hectare crater is a sight to behold. Enchanting and mysterious. One can see the boiling cauldron of greenish-yellow murk as it emits the odor of sulfur similar to that of a decaying egg. Its mountain walls are also alive with smoking vents that on cold and rainy days, mist shrouds the hills.
Stella Butac, 51, from Digos City is already a seasoned mountaineer but said it was her first time to visit Comval.
"Wala ko nagmahay na niuban ko diria, nindot katong lake ug hot spring, ug katong Amakan crater kay makita gyud ninyo magbukal didto sa tunga so nindot jud siya tan-awon (I didn't regret coming here, the lake is so beautiful and hot and you can see it boiling at the center of the Amakan Crater, so it's really beautiful to look at)," she said.
First time climber Christina Fiel Mahinay from Davao City also said she had fun and enjoyed the experience despite the challenge.
"Karon ang first nako na naay trek na adventurous, this is a memorable adventure I had in climbing."
"With 55 women-participants who went home happy, fulfilled and energy-filled, we sincerely thank all our partners for making the 1st Comval Bobay Climb a truly fun-filled experience and a successful event," said Dompor.
Among the bobays, the youngest climber is six-year-old Leanne Sofie Bacus, grand daughter of Mr. Jhune Bacus, chairman of the Mindanao Mountaineering Community (MMC) and project director of the Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao (MFSM). They are the technical and event partner of the province.
She also extended her thanks to the different agencies and partners through Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, Maco Mayor Alvera Rimando, Barangay Mainit chief Onlos and Barangay New Leyte captain Relator, Councilor Neri, Lalewa Catering Services of New Leyte, MSSPA team of Mainit, Apex Mining Company, PDDRRMO/Covert (Comval Emergency Rescue team), Provincial Health Office/Medic team, Provincial Information Office, 71st IB, DOT X1 under Reg. Dir. Blanco, and the technical and event partner- MFSM, MMC and Care Group thru Dan Bacus and George Garcia.
The VDSF 2018 with its theme, "LongFest and WideFest," is the Davao Region's summer tourism campaign in seven areas with Compostela Valley as its newest partner.
The next VDSF event for Comval will be the National Climb in Mt. Candalaga, Maragusan on May 24-27; Mt. Pandadagsaan White Peak Exclusive Climb in New Bataan on April 27-29, May 18-20, and June 15-17; and Aquathlon in Mabini on June 10. (For more info, visit Comval Tourism FB account) (Fe F. Maestre/ID Comval)