3 Popular Activities for Water-Loving Filipinos

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Every year more than 7.1 million visitors flock to the Philippines in search of adventure. Apart from exploring the countless museums, galleries, and monuments on the islands, the country’s geographical location also resulted in an abundance of bodies of water just begging to be discovered. While the beaches are perfect for sunbathing and taking cool dips in the ocean, there are also a wide range of watersports that both locals and tourists can partake in. Depending on how adventurous you are you can choose between a host of enjoyable watersports such as the following, that will have you spending some fun in the sun this summer.

Wakeboarding will get the adrenalin pumping

If you are a fan of skateboarding or snowboarding, you should definitely try your hand at wakeboarding which is fast gaining popularity in the Philippines. Wakeboarding requires a high-speed boat a secure cable system to tow the wakeboarder, and a wakeboard to stand on. Wakeboarding is extremely exhilarating and although it is definitely not for the faint-hearted, it is considered a safe sport as long as basic safety measures are adhered to. There are a number of top wakeboarding destinations across the Philippines when novice and experienced boarders alike can take to the water. The CamSur Watersports Complex in Camarines Sur is ideal to learn to board as is the pristine waters of Laguna, Pampanga, and Batangas. If you are a real fan of wakeboarding you can catch the best Filipino talents in action as they compete in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Clarke from 30 November to 11 December this year.

Sailing is a relaxing past-time

If the mere sound of wakeboarding leaves you feeling exhausted or you have suddenly become inspired by the media attention on international sailing events such as Ready Steady Tokyo (which is the test event for Tokyo 2020) is getting, sailing might be more up your alley. An increasing number of Filipinos are taking up sailing as a recreational activity while also enjoying the various physical and mental health benefits it has to offer. While sailing isn’t overly dangerous, it is important to follow safe sailing protocol when on the water.Avoid the water during inclement weather and make sure you wear a lifejacket at all times. Some of the best sailing spots in the country include Iloilo, Panay and the almost-surreal waters of Guimaras.

Whitewater rafting

Sailing and wakeboarding are both immensely enjoyable water sports albeit not the most social ones. If you are looking for a water sport that you can enjoy with your friends, whitewater rafting is definitely the way to go. Whitewater rafting allows participants to course through the rough white water of a river in an inflatable raft that is capable of withstanding an incredible amount of hard knocks. Among the best white water rafting destinations in the Philippines is Cagayan de Oro, Laguna, and the Davao River. If you are a white water novice it comes highly recommended to book your rafting expedition through an accredited tour operator that will not only provide all the necessary equipment but provide you with basic rafting training as well.

Spending time outdoors participating in a watersport is bound to not only make you happy, but keep you healthy as well. Even if you are not the most adventurous of individuals you are bound to find an activity you can partake in.

Sources

https://www.dti.gov.ph/resources/statistics/tourist-arrivals Department of Trade and Industry

http://www.wazzuppilipinas.com/2018/02/4-must-try-wild-outdoor-activities-in.html Wazzup Pilipinas Suzy Strutner

https://www.monstertower.com/blog/maintain-wakeboard/ Monster Tower 15 July 2017

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/greta-thunberg-four-days-into-atlantic-crossing The Guardian Seth Jacobsen 17 August 2019

https://www.riverranchboats.com/sailing-safety/ River Ranch Boats 11 June 2019

A Tourist’s Quick Guide to Surviving Philippine Travel

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Visiting a new region for the first time is one of the most fun and exciting experiences a traveler can have. People who enjoy seeing the world live for the sights, sounds, smells, culture, and overall atmosphere of a new place. With that being said, it is also important to know exactly what you can expect from a vacation to one of these unfamiliar territories as well, as laws, customs, and guidelines can vary greatly even from one local destination to the other.

So for those who are getting ready to embark on their first trip to the Philippines (or even if it is your home away from home) here are a few must-know tips to make sure you get the most enjoyment possible out of your experience:

Research and Obtain Proper Travel Documentation

While this is true of any getaway you might be taking to a foreign destination, it is especially important when visiting the Philippines or any other country in Southeast Asia. The reason is because the paperwork and documentation requirements change very frequently and what was necessary to have six months ago may no longer be required, or something that wasn’t needed previously may now be non-negotiable.


Try to Adjust to the Time Difference Beforehand

This is crucial to enjoying as much of your trip as possible, especially the first few days. This flight can be as long as 19 hours from certain parts of North America, and it can wreak havoc on a person’s body in the form of jet lag or a lingering travel hangover. If you have the luxury of lounging around for a few days before your plane leaves, try to get on local time so when you actually get there the shock to your system will be greatly diminished.


Pack Accordingly

This includes making sure you have plenty of travel toiletries and stomach medicines. While it isn’t uncommon for people to experience intestinal discomfort from eating bad food, often times the food is just fine and it’s the tourists who simply aren’t accustomed to exotic foods and spices. Either way, you will want to make sure you have plenty of the main medicines covered such as Pepto, Imodium, and Tums.

Additionally, make sure you bring the proper clothing. Many areas in this region are very conservative, especially the religious locations where temples, mosques, and churches are located. Make sure you have attire that covers the shoulders and knees when visiting these places.


Purchase Travel Insurance

This is one mistake a lot of first-time travelers make. But the fact is that medical care and hospitals aren’t around every corner like they may be in other places. If you have an issue in a jungle or remote area, you could be facing a several hundred-mile airlift to a medical facility. You aren’t simply swiping your credit card for that bill.


Plan a Diverse Itinerary

Make sure you give yourself the opportunity to really soak up and enjoy all that this unique location has to offer. Get around to the different regions in the area. Some people end up focusing all their attention on one type of attraction and end up missing out on a variety of wonderful experiences. Make sure that you get a little taste of everything this beautiful country has to offer.

Registration for the 2019 NASA International Space Apps Challenge now open

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Now in its 8th year, NASA Space Apps is an international hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, and others in cities around the world, where teams engage with NASA’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space. NASA Space Apps 2018 included over 18,000 participants at more than 200 events in 75 countries.

Since its inception in 2012, NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge has become the world’s largest global hackathon, engaging thousands of citizens across the globe to use NASA’s open data to build innovative solutions to challenges we face on Earth and in space.

The NASA International Space Apps Challenge (or Space Apps) is an international hackathon that will take place over a 48-hour period in cities around the globe between October 18 and 20, 2019. The event embraces collaborative problem solving with a goal of producing open-source solutions to challenges we currently face on Earth and in space.

In the Philippines, it is the fourth time for this event to take place again in Manila on October 18 to 20, 2019. "I am thrilled and excited to continue the tradition of inviting students and professionals, beginners and veterans from the Philippines to join this prestigious global hackathon by NASA," software developer Michael Lance M. Domagas said. "In fact, a Pinoy team winning globally last year makes Filipinos inspired to use these technologies in helping the society we live in, especially now that a law has been passed creating the Philippine Space Agency," he added.

The Pinoy winning team who developed an app seeking to use scientific data to benefit fishermen, even without Internet connection, is being incubated at Animo Labs, the technology business incubator of De La Salle University in partnership with DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development. "Animo Labs looks forward to see these kinds of projects being developed by Filipinos with the help of NASA data and resources, and we are happy to host it again at De La Salle University," Animo Labs Executive Director Mr. Federico C. Gonzalez said.


Register here: https://spaceapps.splashthat.com/


Deadline of registration is on Monday, October 7, 2019 11:59 PM


For more information, please contact nasaspaceappsph@gmail.com


#SpaceApps #SpaceAppsPH