Manny Pacquiao wants to do for Saranggani what Gov. LRay did for Camsur

This is the best way for you to learn how to wakeboard,” said landslide winner Governor LRay Villafuerte of CamSur, as he prepped me into my first splash into the water. (Soundtrack: Not Myself Tonight by Christina Aguilera, listening from my Beats by Dr. Dre earphones.)

With my knees bent and eyes on the horizon, I saw the wakeboard cable call my name to come hither, and then with one push of Gov. LRay’s hand — splash! I had scored my first most embarrassing moment right before professional wakeboarders, enthusiasts, celebrities and bystanders. The thing is, I never let embarrassing moments stop me from conquering my fears. So off I went again to challenge the waters, unfettered of what was to come.

After three tries, I was able to stand. I hopped to the beginner’s park to learn it better...at my pace! I’ll swim with the sharks later. It’s my nth year to come to this CamSur Watersports Paradise complex. That weekend seemed like party time, as countless events were set up all around the place — music blasting from four speakers simultaneously. Talk about mash-up.

Second To Boracay

I was under the impression that we were gonna hop over to Caramoan for some R&R but the Survivor Sweden peeps were taping the show there so we just stayed and waited for the activities to start.

On my way to CWC, I sat beside Dyan Castillejo a.k.a. the Manny Pacquaio chronicler, and we were talking about the new Congressman of Saranggani.

Dyan told me that Manny, the new member of the House, admires what Gov. LRay was able to do to CamSur. “Before, there was only like, one flight getting here. Now after LRay, there are more than four planes flying three times each day to get here.”

And I didn’t know this fact — that CamSur is now number two in tourist arrivals! Second only to Boracay!

I take my Pluto hat off to Gov. LRay not only because of his visionary ways of transforming their city, but more so as the coolest dad — wakeboarding, dancing and drinking with his sons Miguel and Julio, who look like his younger brothers! (Gov. didn’t pay me, mind you.)

The CamSur waterfest had so many games that I didn’t join — but my Tweetbiz crew was there to cover all the action.

At first, I really just attended as a gesture of friendship to my favorite Marilen and Apet Nuñez, but in the end I had so much fun that I wish I could have stayed longer. I was getting the hang of wakeboarding already.

Dragon Ladies In The House With Zest

On other shores, the Boracay Bumshells, my favorite girls in Boracay, celebrated their annual Dragon Boat competition. It is amazing how they all wake up early in the morning to train. At night, they party! Some of them are in their golden years but they surely know how to lead a golden life! Cheers to Candy Ledesma and the rest of the Bumshells — they prove that they are indeed stellar members of Generation Flex—they have the gift of no gap!

Speaking of Bora bodies, Zest Air had a great party with international DJ Andy Caldwell. Mastermind’s Sunny Ku was there hanging out with nightlife royalty who flew in just to join this party so full of Zest! The party was to launch 106.7 Dream FM Boracay. Yes, indeed music is the best accompaniment to any Boracay sojourn, flown in by “Asia’s Freshest Airline”— that’s Zest Air, of course!

No Bora trip would be complete without having a Bora body. Yes, Derek Ramsey, I shall eat tuna every day if it means my body will have a closer resemblance to yours. And as if to add salt to the injury for the men out there, Derek’s arm candy is none other than Angel Locsin! Yes, clad in yellow like a Century Tuna can, you are assured of goodness in every chunk. The brains behind the Century Tuna run, Leo and his better half Mariel, have been so fit that instead of the usual party-hopping, they’ve been marathon hopping! How’s that for a fit coup — couple I mean.

I know fitness and looking great or developing a whole city or province is no joke — there’s so much work, determination, networking and collaboration that is involved in any worthwhile project. I totally understand and get that.