Ilonggo sport climbers qualify to Philippine team

The Sportclimbing Association of the Philippines (SCAPI) recently concluded the different legs of climbing competitions all over the Philippines. SCAPI organizes these national climbing competitions to determine who shall form part of the Philippine team.  The tournament started in April kicking off at Pearl of the Pacific in Boracay,  then at Davao, Alaminos in Pangasinan and the finals at the Pearl Plaza Mall in Parañaque.

This year a lucky Ilonggo Jose Mari Cortes, from Mandurriao successfully made it to the team ranking no.5 over all.  Jose ranked 4th in Boracay. 4th in Davao, 9th in Alaminos and 6th in Pearl Plaza.

Jose rigidly trained for 3 months in preparation for the national competition.  He regularly climbs Dingle.  Indoor, he climbs at Tribu located at the Amigo Mall parking lot.  His training includes jogging, swimming and lots of pull ups and dumbbell exercises.  Jose does active rest if he does not climb.
 
Jose trains with another member of the Philippine team Tala Marie Arungayan-Taningco.  Other Ilonggo climbers who help him are Brian, Fleene and Don-don.  His climbing idol is the National route Setter Carlo “Mackie” Makinano who is a national climber and climbing instructor at the UP Power UP Gym.

Tala Marie A. Taningco has been a member of the Philippine team (Juniors) since 2001 representing the Philippines in the Asian X-Games (Juniors) in 2002, ranking 7th, Asian X Games 2003 ranking 2003, Hong Kong  Bouldering competition (Open) ranking 7th.
 
Tala, now 14 had been climbing since she was 6 years old.  She had been undefeated in the Juniors’ category.  She has competed in the Open category (age 16 and above) and has always ranked among the Top 5 even though her climbs are non-bearing.

Jose is a student at the Western Institute of Technology while Tala is a senior high school student at the Ateneo de Iloilo-Sta. Maria Catholic School.

Both Jose and Tala are preparing for international competitions in November, Jose for the Asian indoor games in Bangkok and the SEA Games (if climbing will be one of the events) and Tala for the Asian Youth Games in Hong Kong.

These 2 athletes who can make Ilonggos proud need the support your support.  You may reach them personally on their mobile phones should you wish to support them. (Jose 0917-7460339) (Tala  0918-9256442)