THE Philippines has some of the world’s best powdery sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and most stunning panoramas—making them the perfect venues to stage musical productions and all-night partying.
Gumasa White Beach, famous as the “Boracay of Mindanao,” sizzles once more in the Sarangani Bay Festival, the country’s biggest beach party, which will feature top rock bands, DJs, as well as an assortment of water sports and fitness activities on May 30 to June 1.
Located in Glan, Sarangani province, Gumasa landed at 45th in Flight Network’s “Asia’s Top 50 Beaches in 2018.”
Nicknamed “SarBay Fest,” it draws some 150,000 guests from all over the archipelago with its powerhouse lineup of musical artists.
Themed “Neon Summer,” the three-day extravaganza kicks off with the San Miguel Night featuring sought-after band Rocksteddy as well as DJ Kouta Kutsuma and DJ Cupcakes.
The fun continues on the second night with the Bay Bodies ’19 pageant, DJ Battle, and the Talk N Text party featuring 6Cyclemind, DJ Marc Marasigan and DJ Kat.
Merrymaking draws to a close on June 1 with the Globe party series featuring Ben & Ben, as well as DJ Tom Taus and DJ Carlo Atendido.
Sarangani governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said that this year’s edition will celebrate the innovations the beach event has undergone through the years, most notably its advocacy for sustainable tourism and family-oriented recreation.
“The provincial government of Sarangani and with the Department of Tourism (DOT) are committed to inculcate the importance of continuous awareness to protect and preserve the resources of Sarangani Bay,” he said.
As in previous years, SarBay will emphasize environmental awareness among partygoers with round-the-clock beach cleanups, mangrove tree planting, “scubasurero” underwater cleanups, ban on plastics and segments on educational activities.
Solon said that with the veritable mix of pulsating music and the tropical environment, Sarangani is the most ideal escapade for sounds, sand and sea.
Now on its 12th edition, the festivity will also showcase the tourism gems of the Soccsksargen Region, where Sarangani has been the top tourist destination for 2018, with 1,689,348 foreign and local visitors.
Sporting events include the 15-kilometer Swim Across the Bay relay, Asia’s most extreme swimming event; SarBay Strongman; beach volleyball and football; skim boarding; jet-ski race; “bancathon,” mountain bike, skim boarding and Frisbee tournaments.
Adding sizzle are fringe events such as Zumba sessions with the Legendz, drum-beating competition, fire dancing exhibitions, body painting and family sand sculpture contests.
SarBay Fest is organized by the Sarangani Provincial Tourism Council and supported by the Province of Sarangani, DOT-Region 12, and the Municipality of Glan. It is a consistent recipient of the Best Tourism Event Award from the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines.