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Samal, that gem of an island to the east of Davao City, is gearing up to be the summer destination of 2011. The Island Garden City of Samal (“IGACoS”), through the Samal Island Tourism Council, and in tandem with the Department of Tourism – Region 11, is cooking up a summer-long series of deightful events that will please your senses and satisfy your need for exercise and entertainment on the beach. Visit Samal Island this summer, get those swimsuits out and bask in the sun!

Here is the calendar of activities, courtesy of the Mindanao Tourism Council (MTC), which is providing promotional support to the project:

For the benefit of the uninitiated, the Island Garden City of Samal — or “IGACoS” — is a component city of Davao Province (also known as Davao del Norte). It is best reached, however, through Davao City by air. To get to the island, you can go by banca or by ferryboat (roro). By helicopter? Sure, if you have the moolah, you can!

The government of IGACoS is issuing passports to tourists going to the island. Yes, that’s right: a passport for your summer trip to this southern paradise! You’ll be able to enjoy discounts and freebies from participating resorts and other establishments on Samal, from March to May 2011. Who knows, there might be a contest of some sort for the passport holder with the most number of stamps!

For more information or for assistance with bookings, please contact (82)221-0070 or email organiczar[at]gmail.com. Check out the event’s Facebook page, too!

Hey, Twitterers out there! Please use the #samal hashtag to talk about the island and this summer’s events!

The people of Sarangani Province are gearing up for their annual summer festival, which will take place in the last week of May 2009. Everyone is welcome! In fact, a group of bloggers from Davao, General Santos and Metro Manila are going to join this year’s celebration of the Sarangani Bay Festival 2009.

Below are the activities planned for the 3-day event. Thanks to Michelle Solon of Go Sarangani Travel for the information, and for helping in the arrangements for the bloggers.

28 May (Thu) • Kiamba

Ceremonial Opening Program, Lumba Bugsay (paddleboat racing), Bike Adventure Race Challenge, Skim Boarding Competition, Skim Boarding Clinic, Dive Sarangani, Underwater Photography, Beach Football, Beach Volleyball, Sayaw Sarangani – Hataw sa Tag-araw, Beach Concert and Fireworks Display.

29 May (Fri) • Maasim – Glan

Swim across the Bay (from Maasim to Glan), Bay Bodies Pageant, Scubasurero (dive to harvest crown of thorns), Sand Castle Competition, Bay Fair (selling and promotions fair), Beach Party with Club DJ and Fire Dancers, and continuing activities of Bike Adventure Race Challenge, Skim Boarding Competition, Skim Boarding Clinic, Dive Sarangani, Underwater Photography, Beach Football, Beach Volleyball.

30 May (Sat) • Gumasa, Glan

Bombo Bancarera (motorboat racing), San Miguel Concert Party (Manila band), Recogntion and Awarding Ceromonies, and continuing activities of Bike Adventure Race Challenge, Skim Boarding Competition, Skim Boarding Clinic, Dive Sarangani, Underwater Photography, Beach Football, Beach Volleyball.

I’m so excited! These three days will surely be a series of scorchingly hot parties and über-cool outdoorsy events! Can’t wait…

Glan, Kiamba, Maasim and the other towns surrounding Sarangani Bay are largely undiscovered jewels of nature. For example, the beaches of Glan are reputed to have sand as fine as that found in Boracay. And the scuba diving is spectacular, by all accounts (check out my post about Lemlunay Dive Resort). Parts of the bay, I was told by Michelle, are protected sanctuaries, so that divers now see much growth and resurgence of indigenous species in the area. When we went for a dive, we saw the cement domes that were installed in different parts of Sarangani Bay to promote the growth of coral.

And the food! I bet I’m going to gorge myself on tuna, sturgeon fish (I wish!), crab, and other goodies from the sea! On the flip side, however, accommodations facilities in the Sarangani province are rather rudimentary.

The bloggers’ excursion into Sarangani is being coordinated by yours truly, Avel Manansala (of Bariles Republic fame), and the indefatigable Michelle, the wife of Vice-Governor Steve Solon. But blogger or not, anyone is very welcome to join the festivities. Budget? Less than ₱3,000 (including transportation to & from Davao) per person will most certainly suffice. To be there to party with everyone is free, but the clinics, competitions, etc. will have minimal participation fees.

For more information, please get in touch with Go Sarangani Travel — gosaranganitravel[at]gmail[dot]com, (83)552-8015 or (83)304-4398. This festival is being organized under the auspices of the Sarangani provincial government. Check out their official site: www.sarangani.gov.ph.