Summ-(w)er in the South of Luzon
Leave it to Cam Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte to not rest on his laurels, and know that as with any popular summer or tourist destination, the trick is to answer “What have you done for me lately?” and not just rely on what has worked in the past. Now that the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) is firmly established as one of the premier Wakeboarding centers (if not THE mecca) in the ASEAN region, LRay now has the answer for those who would ask him what they can do at the Complex if they don’t wakeboard. And the idea is still firmly centered on Water Fun, but no longer requires one to don vest and balance on a board.
Adjacent to the wakeboard cable lake, an 18-hectare manmade lake has been created. Calling this latest facility the Lago del Rey, it’s a spectacle in its own right. Designed for affordable wholesome family watersports entertainment, dotting the lake, one finds giant inflatable water slides, aqua wall climbing inflatables, water polo and volleyball set-ups, an aqua obstacle course, paddle surfing, kayaking, boat-towed wakeboarding and skiing, dragonboating, and naturally, simple swimming — without having to be afraid of some wakeboard or ski slamming into one’s head! There’s even a designated area known as the Kid’s Activity Center, where suitable sports and entertainment has been mapped out.
To mark the launch of the Lago, a bunch of showbiz celebrities and media personalities were invited to enjoy the new facilities over one weekend. A fitting welcome to the summer season, the weekend turned out to be daytime activities marked by friendly and enthusiastic competition, and nighttime revelry that were punctuated by great dinners and cocktails. The 
band Sino Sikat? performed one night, and True Faith handled the musical chores the following night. For LRay and special guest Tourism Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion, the addition of the Lago del Rey is one substantive step to making the CamSur Watersports Complex the water entertainment center of Asia. It may be ambitious in vision, but LRay has always been one for commitment and determination in making visions and dreams become reality.
Two doses of irreverence and a beastly tale
The three novels today all share an estimable ranking in my mind because they’re works by authors I’ve been familiar with over the years, and have always enjoyed. Both Christopher Moore and Robert Rankin are among my favorite writers when I’m looking for something outright subversive, hilarious and wicked! Martin Davies is responsible for The Conjuror’s Bird, a smart mix of natural history and the human condition.
Fool by Christopher Moore (available at National Bookstore): If it’s black comedy and satire one is looking for, look no further than Christopher Moore. Over the years, he’s taken on vampires, demons, whales, angels... and even Jesus. With Fool, he trains his sights on King Lear and Shakespeare, and if this doesn’t have the Bard turning in his grave with gleeful abandon, nothing will. Both vulgar and profane, Moore’s main character is the court jester known as Fool. With Drool, an oafish accomplice, Fool skewers everyone in Lear’s court, throwing hilarious insults left and right. With ghosts and witches also present in the truncated plot, Moore liberally borrows from Hamlet and Macbeth to add insult to injury in this ransacking of the Shakespeare canon. While a tad ambitious for Moore, one can’t fault him for the brio and enthusiasm that carries this outing to it’s mirthful conclusion. Tragedy has never been funnier.
Necrophenia by Robert Rankin (available at National Bookstore): Robert Rankin is the rightfully self-proclaimed father of “far-fetched fiction” — a sub-genre to the Fantasy niche that’s marked by outlandish plots, fantastic characters and devious tongue-in-cheek humor. Necrophenia (with a nod to the Who’s classic rock album Quadrophenia) is a heady blend of ‘60s Rock ’n Roll, the occult, and elements of the Undead and zombies. The band Sumerian Kynges, is headed by Tyler, musician and erstwhile private detective. Along with brother Andy, we’re given a loopy plot that involves time travel and parallel storylines. With cameos by such ‘60s icons as the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Mama Cass and gumshoe Lazlo Woodbine, the novel chugs along in typical Rankin-time and fashion. A fun summer read to take to the beach; but as with Fool, just be prepared to be stared at while you bend over in laughter.
The Unicorn Road by Martin Davies (available at National Bookstore): With this novel, Davies humanizes the medieval world and manages a global perspective for the era. He accomplishes this with a stirring set of intercutting narratives: one strand having to do with a father’s lonely search for a younger son who had sailed for the Far East with the scholar Antioch, sent by Manfred (King of Sicily) to find a gift for the Pope, something exotic to complete the Pope’s bestiary. A parallel story involves country lass, Ming Yueh, and the Emperor’s young general, Song Rui. And then there’s the dark, mysteriously motivated figure of Count Decius who accompanies Antioch; and the despotic Emperor, who daily has to contend with excursions by the Khan on his kingdom. As conspiracies and deceit abound, this ostensible tale of discovery and adventure, also becomes one of human worth, compassion and troubled love.
