600 participants brave rains, cold wind in 2nd Lake Danao Festival

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – Rains and cold wind due to typhoon Lando over the weekend failed to discourage an estimated 600 participants who joined various sporting events of the two-day 2nd Lake Danao Festival held in this city’s tourist spot, the 143-hectare lake.

Lake Danao Festival was a project of the Ormoc Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., headed by former PBA cager Rey Evangelista, and celebrated in time for the city’s Charter Day on October, which is also observed as the Business Month.

This year’s festival had events such as kayak races for male, female and mixed categories; stand-up paddle races and relays; a 21K marathon; a 5K fun run; mountain bike races and long board competition.

On the evening of Friday was a concert and fire dances to entertain the participants who camped on the lake, coupled with a tab cooking contest. “Tab” is a local freshwater shell abundant to the lake and the contest was to encourage locals to cook it in innovative ways.

The events were organized with the help of experts from the Ormoc Runners Club, Terra Outdoor Club for the MTB race, Ormoc Cyclers for the MTB downhill race, Ormoc Board Riding Club, Island Buzz for kayak and standup paddle and Nature Unlimited Leyte Outdoor Club for mountain climbing.

Pocholo Franco, chairman of the OCCI, said there were only 100 participants last year. (FREEMAN)