51ST FOUNDATION DAY: Danao (Bohol) holds tourism signature events

DANAO, BOHOL, Philippines  – The celebration of this town’s 51st Foundation Day yesterday was highlighted with what Mayor Louis Thomas Gonzaga termed as “tourism signature events,” such as the extreme sports of duathlon, among others.

Gonzaga told The Freeman that the “Rebel Trail Duathlon” or run-bike-run” was unveiled last Saturday, July 7, consisting of a mountain bike cross (MTB XC) in the historic trails and lair of Bohol’s foremost war hero Francisco Sendrijas, a.k.a. Dagohoy (short for Dagon sa Hoyohoy), who mounted the longest rebellion against the Spaniards.

Last Sunday, July 8, was the Danao Misty River Music Festival, featuring music guru Joey Ayala and former vocalist of Asin band, Lolita Carbon, together with local bands, such as Danao’s pride “Pterileon de Kombate” at the Danao Adventure Park.

Another Sunday attraction was the “Assault on Dagohoy Hill (Tactical Paintball Wargames)“—participated by members of the Philippine Army’s Special Forces—as a tribute to Dagohoy’s exploits in military operations.

Gonzaga said he hoped that the activities could be another first in tourism in Bohol, if not in the Visayas, making these added attractions to the town’s usual extreme adventures, such the first zip-line and canyon swing or the Plunge into the gorge of Wahig-Inabanga River.

The town was also set to unveil the longest zip-line, stretching 1.5 kilometers across the other mountain, said the mayor.

Spelunking or caving the unspoiled underground wonders with underground river, cable car, rappelling, barrio or community visit-tour, climbing on root trees that spread-protruding in the cliff surface, tubing or kayaking, he said, citing another town’s first, para-gliding or para-motoring over a 400-meter-plus airstrip, launched last year.

With these innovations to spur the economic and tourism activities that have provided job opportunities, this 5th class town has generated more revenues in millions than in the past years, added Gonzaga.