Celebrating summer with endless fun and sun

THE beach is a big thing for people who want to take time off of work or away from the hustle and bustle of life. It is a place where one could allow themselves time to breathe, relax and enjoy.

There was never a lack of beaches and resorts in Opol town, Misamis Oriental. You can even find one along the highway. But if you're looking for a place where you could get endless fun and excitement, you might want to visit Apple Tree Resort and Hotel during the month of July.

Apple Tree recently had its Endless Summer Beach Festival, an annual two-day summer event that features beach sports and activities, including beach volley, skimboarding and fishing.

According to Evelyn Geverola, the sales and marketing manager of Apple Tree Resort and Hotel, the summer event, which began in 2017, does not only position itself as an entertainment event. It is also the hotel's continuous effort to help promote the tourism and lifestyle of Opol town and the province of Misamis Oriental in general.

The event was created in order to strengthen the tourism and provides opportunities to the youth to actively engage in programs and activities promoting the quality of life, Geverola said.

Opol Sangguniang Bayan Member Rhally Mae Piit, who was present during the opening of Endless Summer on July 28, 2023, for her part, said the annual summer event of Apple Tree has helped the tourism economy of Opol.

"We all know we came back from Covid, kaka lift lang ng Covid [state of health emergency], we really need this kind of activity of Apple Tree para maibalik yung Opolanon malipayon before the Covid," Piit said.

Piit, who is also the vice chairman of the town's committee on tourism, said Endless Summer is also a prelude for the municipality's upcoming Kabaya Festival.

The activities during the two-day Endless Summer consist of the Open Beach Volley Competition and the Skimboarding Competition, which is considered as the biggest skim-boarding event and one of the sought-after events in Misamis Oriental. There's also the newly-added Fishing Competition.

Each of the above-mentioned activities will have three winners, who will receive medals, cash prizes and gift packs.

Endless Summer concluded with the search for Mister and Miss Summer Bod, followed by a foam party where the participants and the audiences danced with the music provided by one of the well-known DJs in Cagayan de Oro.

Here are the list of winners for each of the competitions:

Mister and Miss Summer Bod winners:

Miss Summer Bod 2023: Mia Jade Abueva

Mister Summer Bod 2023: Carl Justine Samonte

First Runner-Up: Flynstar Patayon (Miss) and Noliemar Taglinao (Mister)

Second Runner-Up: Alyssa Niña Ala-an (Miss) and Dave Morales (Mister)

Beach Volley Competition:

Champion: Team Lovesick Girls

First Placer: Team Cats Eye

Second Placer: Team Dianne 35

Skimboarding Competition (Kids Category):

Champion: Symon Yana

First Placer: Nail Jacob Ebonia

Second Placer: Rowen Torres

Skimboarding Competition (Beginners Category):

Champion: Buñas Santos

First Placer: Kharunisha Faeldin

Second Placer: Victory Lañosa

Skimboarding Competition (Advance Category):

Champion: Lester Rosal

First Placer: Daniel Villasan

Second Placer: Giller Quitat

Fishing Competition:

Champion: Noel Hortelliano

First Placer: Aljon Saturnero

Second Placer: Pablo Villamor and Wilbert Dela Cruz