CDO rising as Bouldering Capital of the Philippines
Even as local climbers dominated the 3rd leg of the Habagat National Bouldering Competition last month, plans are afoot to make it an annual event.
Siblings Liana Nicole and Iman Mora made the finals in the women’s and men’s open category a family affair, as both emerged champions, doing the host city proud. Iman Mora scored a grand slam emerging champion in the Open Category for all three legs while sister Liana Nicole had two first place finishes and was second in the 1st Leg at Bonifacio Global City.
Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses. While it can be done without any equipment, most climbers use climbing shoes to help secure footholds, chalk to keep their hands dry, and bouldering mats to prevent injuries from falls (Wikipedia).
Two climbers make their way up the wall
For the past few years, Cagayan de Oro has hosted the last leg of this emerging event due to the growing number of climbing enthusiasts in the city and Northern Mindanao.
Cagayan de Oro 3rd Leg Champions pose for posterity
“We have climbers from Cebu, Dumaguete, Cavite, Bukidnon and Davao but around 70 percent of those who registered for the competition are from Cagayan de Oro,” said Eduardo L. Solana, Jr., general manager, Habagat Outdoor Equipment, which is organizing the last leg of the competitions held September 26-27, 2015 at Centrio Mall, which carried the apt tagline “Where Adventure Begins.”
Organized in partnership with the Sports Climbing Association of the Philippines, Inc (SCAPI), the National Bouldering Competition aims to promote climbing as a competitive sport in the grassroots and encourage more Filipinos to embrace an active lifestyle amidst the great outdoors.
“We want to advance the outdoor lifestyle through this event as an essential element of the way Habagat views the world,” Solana said. “We also aim to promote and strengthen the brand in order to develop a business that generates profit and growth while being socially responsible and advocating environmental conservation and preservation.”
Leaping from one point to another
The event also serves as an eliminator for climbers for the Philippine National Team which would compete in international climbing events, said tournament director Carlos Makinano.
The first leg of the series dubbed “Zero Gravity Bouldering Competition” was held last April 18-19, 2015 at the Bonifacio High Street Central Amphitheater, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), in Taguig City while the second dubbed “Dumaguete Bouldering National 2nd Leg” was held May 23-24, 2015 at Robinsons Place, Dumaguete City.
The competition utilized the Phoenix format for the eliminations and the World Cup format for the championship round, Makinano said.
Bouldering gained popularity when host Indonesia introduced it as one of the sports for the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. It has also been shortlisted for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the International Olympic Committee will decide next year on its inclusion.
Last year, R.O.X. hosted the first leg in Cebu tagged “Zero Gravity: Cebu National Boulder Competition” while the second leg, dubbed “The Second Leg: National Bouldering Series, was hosted by Habagat Outdoor Inc. Oct. 11-13 at Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro.
The crowd at Centrio Garden watches closely as a competitor makes way to the top of the wall (photo courtesy of Clix.com)
Like in the previous edition, Cagayan de Oro again registered the most number of climbers this year with over 100 climbers joining the event this year.
Unlike in other venues where climbing has waned the past few years, Solana notes the number of climbers in Cagayan de Oro continues to climb mainly on the strength of its two active climbing facilities at Guru Rock Climbing Gym at Mandumol-Aluba-Buena Oro Rd, Macasandig and Alwana Climbing Gym at the Malasag Resorts/Sports Avenue at Alwana Business Park, Marco Hotel in Cugman.
Following are the Habagat National Bouldering Competition 3rd Leg Winners (pls. box):
Women’s Novice
3rd place – Pauline Anasco
2nd place – Nadine Emperado
Champion – Nana Aboitiz
Men’s Novice
Men’s Novice Champions (L-R) Anthony Cañete, 2nd_ Jan Michael Rosal, champion & Jairo Manera, 3rd
3rd place – Jairo Manera
2nd place – Mark Anthony Cañete
Champion – Jan Michael Rosal
Women’s Open
Women’s Open Champions (L-R) Jela Buendia, 2nd, Liana Nicole Mora, Champion, & Eva Dyne Endico, 3rd
3rd place- Eva Dyne Endico
2nd place – Jela Buendia
Champion – Liana Nicole Mora
Men’s Open
Men’s Open Champions (L-R) Zoren Legaspi, 2nd place_ Iman Mora, champion & Paul Suson, 3rd place
3rd place – Paul Suson
2nd place – Zoren Legaspi
Champion – Iman Mora
The Habagat National Bouldering Competition is supported by VERTIGO Climbing Center, T.W.O., YKK Little Piece. Big Difference., Centrio Mall, PETZL, Viajero Outdoor Center, R.O.X., Dahilayan Adventure Park, Kagay Whitewater Rafting, RedTail Shrimps & More, Gerry’s Restaurant & Bar, Ace Logistics Incorporated, PARASAT HD, and Graphic Star.
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