Island Paradise Adventure Race slated Dec. 10-18
The Department of Tourism in partnership with the government and private sector entities such as X-Events Unlimited, MGM Advertising and Extreme Concept is set to conduct the Visayas Leg of the Island Paradise Adventure Race (IPAR) scheduled on December 10-18, 2005.
The IPAR Visayas Leg is a nine-day race similar to the 'Amazing Race' that will be held starting in Manila traversing the Strong Republic Nautical Highway covering the areas of Southern Tagalog, Western and Central Visayas regions via the road/sea travel utilizing the public utility vehicle and the roll-on-roll-off (RORO) transportation system ending up in Cebu City.
The overall length of the race is 2000 kilometers with designated control points for physical and mental challenges for participants to be able to progress through the race course. The event is an excellent vehicle for DOT to encourage everyone to travel around the country, explore the beautiful destinations and reconnect with their heritage, history and culture.
In general, it is aimed to promote the Philippines as an attractive, safe and viable destination for foreign/domestic tourists and investors and put the country on the global circuit of sports/adventure/eco-tourism type of activities.
IPAR was conceived to institutionalize and popularize an annual sports-cum-tourism activity, underscoring the positive impact of tourism in the economic and social well-being of the country and its people; highlight the investment potentials in the various tourism destinations; encourage local government units (LGUs) to take active part in the development of their potentials an in helping shape a positive image for the country as a tourism destination; promote and enhance the synergy between the government and private sectors in sustaining the development and growth of the tourism industry; and, promote a healthy competition and camaraderie among Filipino and foreign race enthusiasts.
Any individual, 18 years of age (on the first day of the race) and above or legal entity and capable of performing physical activities as determined by the race organizers are eligible to participate/compete. It is open to both foreign/local pro and non-pro adventure racers. Each team must consist of exactly two (2) persons. Entry fee per team is P3,000.00 payable to the Department of Tourism. In case of cancellation of the event or for participants whose entry has been refused, entry fees shall be refunded in full. Deadline for submission of entries is on November 30, 2005.
The racers/participants will shoulder their expenses during the race such as accommodation, food and other incidentals. Each team must carry the required equipment at all times during the race consists of waterproof map case, life jacket, hydration system, basic first aid, head lamp with extra batteries, helmet (must be hard shell or ANSI approved), pocket knife and 1 cellphone to be used in case or emergency. Other equipments will be announced in pre-race materials or briefing.
Cash prizes awaits the winner of the race: Champion Team will receive P1M, 1st Runner-up - P300,000.00 and 2nd Runner-Up P100,000.00. Take the challenge, take the route and know more about the Philippines. Island Paradise Adventure Race is your game.
Fore more details, please contact Rene T. Cortum, Department of Tourism Region VI, Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City at telephone nos. (033) 335-0245/337-5411 or you may call : Office of Special Concerns, DOT Manila at (02) 5241997/0928-7977904 and look for Hussein or Travis.
(DOT Region VI)