A blueprint for success

It’s funny how dropping a few letters from a name makes all the difference. Take for example Camarines Sur, which, nowadays, is more playfully referred to as CamSur. In the past, Camarines Sur would have been known for its pili nut pasalubong  — which isn’t even really that exceptional anymore since pili nut is a fairly popular gift item available in other provinces across the Philippines. Or it is identifiable because of Camarines Norte (whether or not Camarines Norte has done the same and altered its name is beyond my knowledge).

Say “CamSur,” though, and it sounds more hip — it rolls off the tongue much easier than “Camarines Sur,” there are fewer syllables to deal with, and foreigners don’t have such a hard time pronouncing it. It’s catchy and easy to remember, although I still prefer saying Camarines Sur. “CamSur” reminds me of how people now call Boracay “Bora.” There is no such place as Bora (though there is a Bora-Bora).

With its new moniker, CamSur has been seriously stepping up as a tourist hot spot in the Philippines. Not too long ago, the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) opened, announcing itself as a world-class water sports complex in the country. At CWC you can try wakeboarding, being towed overhead by a series of cables and pulleys (as compared to the traditional method of being pulled by a speedboat). Since its opening, the CWC has gained enough recognition to be called the “best cable park in the world.” I actually heard some foreigners say these exact words while I was waiting for my turn to give wakebarding a go.

This summer the CWC unveils its latest facility, Lago Del Rey: an 18-hectare man-made lake right across the road from the wakeboard cable lake of the CWC. It claims to offer the best water-based entertainment facilities in Asia, including wholesome attractions such as giant water slides, aqua wall climbing, water polo, water volleyball, kayaking, aqua obstacle courses, paddle surfing, boat-towed wakeboarding and skiing, dragon boating, and of course, pure and simple swimming.

Recently a special opener was held at Lago Del Rey, the “Summer Aquafest,” which included some of the brightest stars in Pinoy celebrity circles today. Participants were divided into teams and given the opportunity to experience the newest facilities of the CWC. And although some games got really heated and competitive, it was nevertheless a very fun and easygoing afternoon.

“We’re staying true to bringing only the best and most complete water sports facilities to the country. CamSur is still committed to creating a world-class water sports complex park right here in the Philippines. With Lago del Rey, families, friends and kids can truly enjoy an unforgettable getaway in a place where all their water sport fancies can be satisfied,” says Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte.

With Lago del Rey, Gov. Villafuerte is optimistic that tourism arrivals in the province will get a boost by at least 50 percent. The giant man-made lake is expected to enhance Camarines Sur’s growing reputation as one of the top destinations in the Philippines. With the opening of Lago Del Rey, a larger demographic is targeted. The extreme sports focus of the cable park is balanced by the whole“With the addition of Lago del Rey, we’re making the Camsur Watersports Complex the water entertainment center of Asia,” concludes Governor Villafuerte.

There are so many areas like CamSur all over the Philippines that can potentially use tourism as a means of getting out of the rough. During the press conference for Lago Del Rey, Governor Villafuerte talked about how Camarines Sur was often talked about as being very crippled, financially. Nowadays that doesn’t happen anymore; and, rightly so, CamSur now has more than just a bit of pride for its achievements. It is no longer a place that has several negative connotations attached to it.

Governor Villafuerte stressed that he still had projects in mind for improving CamSur as a true destination for sports and outdoor activities. The next big project is making the longest downhill biking trail on one of the local mountains, so all you riders out there, keep up to speed with developments regarding this.

The key to tapping some of our most valuable assets as a country is surefooted action. The Philippines has so many areas that, if properly developed (here, issues must be taken into consideration such as environmental laws, pollution, construction policies, etc.), could draw millions of people to visit. There is so much to see in this country, and the trick is just to get people’s attention.

Before anything, however, there must be a solid vision — something that can be acted upon and carried out. A vision is nothing without follow-through, after all. Which is what makes CamSur an ideal place to pattern one’s own region after. It got itself out of an economic ditch. Therefore, with the right vision and action, someday you, too, could be proud to hear “the world’s greatest...” mentioned in the same sentence as your hometown.

Lago del Rey thanks its sponsors, Ocean Minded Sandals, Hawaiian Tropic, Jagermeister, Hugo Boss, Walker Bay, Aqua Glide and Republic for making the event possible.

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E-mail me at enricomiguelsubido@yahoo.com.