Splash! Wild river ride in Cagayan de Oro

Bobby Lagsa

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There is something about the Cagayan de Oro River that calls adrenaline junkies back for another round of adventure, time and again

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – There is something in the sound of rushing waters against the eerie quiet of the mountains that has adrenaline junkies coming back to the Cagayan de Oro River for another round of whitewater rafting.

CDO. For whitewater rafting in the Philippines, head to Cagayan de Oro. Photo by Bobby Lagsa

Aboard jeepneys loaded with rafts and kayaks, rafters head out to the Ugiaban Bridge, 20 kilometers away, and the boundary between the city and Talakag town in Bukidnon. 

There, the sound of water slamming against the boulders hints at what the rafters are about to face.

River guides give instructions on what to do in case one falls off the raft, plus other safety precautions.

Junjun, one of the river guides of First Rafting adventure, the pioneering company that operates whitewater rafting, said that helmets and life vests must be properly secure. “In case you fall, flow with the river, keep your heads up so you can see what’s ahead,” Junjun advises. 

The river also serves as boundary between Bukidnon town of Baungon and Cagayan de Oro, “When you fall, when I say swim towards Bukidnon, that’s on your right side, the left is Cagayan de Oro,” Junjun says. 

With a little push, the rafters are on their way, locking their legs onto the raft, riding along the rushing river. 

High above the river are ravines covered with vegetation, while in the sky, birds of prey often prowl. Local residents can be seen doing laundry along the banks.

THE VIEW. Don’t just keep your eyes on the water. The surrounding area makes for a lovely view. Photo by Bobby Lagsa

The 16-km stretch of the advanced stage begins with the first rapid Kalawa-ig, a left-hander with a sudden drop from boulders.

In the 16-km run, there are 21 rapids to conquer. When one does so, there’s the sense of sheer exhilaration, followed by the need for more.

During the journey, the river guide shouts out instructions to the rafters, and often, challenges the brave-hearted to stand or sit on front of the raft as the water picks up velocity – the result is an adrenaline rush unlike no other, with rafters often shouting at the top of their lungs to let the tension dissipate.THE CALL. The river beckons to thrill-seekers looking for an unforgettable ride. Photo by Bobby Lagsa

In between rapids, there are quiet moments as the river moves more slowly. This gives the opportunity for the rafters to just slowly, quietly flow with it.

GO WITH THE FLOW. When the water is calm, float quietly along. Photo by Bobby Lagsa

There is also a huge boulder where rafters can climb and jump off. 

 DEFYING GRAVITY. Take a leap. Photo by Bobby Lagsa

The river guides are trained to talk about the river and its inhabitants, its flora and fauna, its wildlife and habitats. 

Along the way, one can hear the gleeful greetings of children echoing along the banks.

The river is abuzz with activity, but at times seems to be still, a contradiction of rural life a few minutes away from a highly urbanized city.

Triple Whammy

There’s plenty to enjoy about this activity, but according to Oro Association of Rafters (OAR) President Vitalino Espulgar, their industry has suffered a triple whammy, starting with 2011 tropical storm Sendong (Washi). 

OAR represents the 6 outfitter companies that are granted city government permits by the Cagayan De Oro city local government to operate rafting in the river. 

Espulgar says that Sendong almost destroyed the industry, as many have opted not to go to the river for fear and respect of the river itself.

Sendong killed more than 1,500 people and about the same number went missing after the river overflowed between December 16 midnight and early dawn of the 17th in 2011.

Disaster experts likened Sendong to an “inland tsunami,” and it wiped away communities along the river and destroyed lives and infrastructure. The damage caused across the region is at around one billion pesos 

“Just when we were recovering from Sendong, Pablo came in again, almost a year after Sendong,” Espulgar says.

After Typhoon Pablo, they were able to recover, but 6 months later, another challenge presented itself – the transfer of the Lumbia Airport to the new Laguindingan, more than 40 km away.

Espulgar said that they have lost 30% of their business in the triple whammy that they went through.

“It used to be that rafters would raft in the morning, 4 hours run at the most and they will just flew from the Lumbia airport by 1pm, now it’s a different story,” Espulgar says. 

Espulgar says that they have to really market their services to tourists, making connections with travel agencies and hotels to offer the rafting services.

The vendors also at the jump-off points along the rafting routes confirm what Espulgar said.

SOUVENIRS, ANYONE? Vendors nearby peddle their wares, all smiles. Photo by Bobby Lagsa

Everelyn Agbalog, wife of a river guide and vendor at the Aura jump off point said that since Sendong, their stocks of crafts, warmers, t-shirts and other items are not selling as well.

There are few rafters since the airport moved to Laguindingan, said vendors, on why the sales are slow.

The Department of Labor and Employment Region 10 (DOLE-R10) recently funded a livelihood program for the communities living in the jump off and take out points.

Most of the river guides are from these communities, while their spouses sell souvenir items to the rafters.

According to City Tourism Officer Elmer Wabe, the average number of rafters now on weekends is about 200-500 guests, “That’s on Friday-Sunday runs,” Wabe says. 

OAR has about 79 rafts including kayaks and at times, they are not fully utilized.

Wabe says that in their tourism shows, they make it a point to bring to the forefront the fact that rafting in the city is “the only one in the country that is available all year round,” Wabe says.

Optimistic

Espulgar confirms that they are thankful for the support of the city government for promoting rafting.

“As for the transfer of airport and its affect on the industry, it is temporary, it is a cycle in business,” Wabe says.

Wabe is optimistic that the traffic will pick up as side services are refined and additional services provided by the outfitters are expanded.

Espulgar says that they are opening the route farther up river near Barangay Besigan, the city’s farthest barangay.

He also says that the rapids upriver are class 4-5, with 6 as the highest classification.

“It is for extreme seekers, as the waters are really fast and furious,” Espulgar says.

SPLASH! Get ready to get wet. Photo by Bobby Lagsa

Currently, First Rafting Adventure, operated by Rupert Domingo, long considered as the father of Philippine Rafting, is again the pioneer to open the route commercially.

Wabe said that holistic support services and an integrated approach to promote city tourism front-lined by the rafting industry, which churns out an estimated 20 million pesos annually, is part of the approach the city tourism to promote Cagayan de Oro.

But for the rafters, the exhilarating experience is a memory that will last forever – one that calls for another river ride, and yet another. – Rappler.com

 

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