By Olan Fernandez Emboscado
The sun was up scorching at 34 degrees Celsius that day. It was hotter than I expected. I wished I hadn’t worn my tank top. My arms were dreadfully grilled, and the itching was becoming unbearable. But instead of complaining, I just I reminded myself why I was submitting myself to the burning weather. This was sizzling Sarangani and I was here for what I called the flight of my life – at the Sarangani Paraglide.
When a friend laid down the itinerary for our Sarangani Tour telling me excitedly about the inclusion of Sarangani Paraglide, I couldn’t contain my excitement. It’s just that this kind of adventure is way too far from the usual outdoor things I do, and knowing how this would change me made me more excited. The thought of free flying hundreds of feet above the ground and me up there kissing the skies thrilled me. And now that it was unfolding, I picture-painted the freedom that came with it.
Sarangani Paraglide is the first and the only paragliding company in Mindanao. It is located at Safii Ranch Paragliding Flysite in Barangay Seguil, Maasim, Sarangani Province. The site is about 950-feet above the sea level, making it a perfect spot for paragliding because of its vast ridges and cliffs needed for the foot launch. Paragliding is an air adventure that uses a foot launched glider aircraft that solely relies on wind conditions. Sarangani Paraglide promises one helluva flight.
There are only three paragliding sites in the Philippines. One is in Carmona, Cavite, the second one is in Bontoc, Mountain Province, and finally the Sarangani Paraglide in Sarangani Province. It was three years ago when paragliding was first introduced in this very site. It was the group of paraglide enthusiasts from General Santos City who started this air adventure and has since become one of the most sought after extreme adventures in Mindanao. It was also three years ago after hearing this when I started dreaming to try this type of thrill I’ve never experienced before.
Safii Ranch Paragliding Flysite is about 30 minutes ride from General Santos City. To get there, we took a passenger van bound to Maasim and dropped off at the entrance of the SAFII Ranch. From there, aboard 4X4 van, our host and pilot Titoy Romano, drove us to the launching site which is on a hilltop overlooking the stunning view of Sarangani Bay. The ride going up to the site was bumpy and we drove through very rough, sharp, and stony limestone-clad trails bouncing up and down inside the vehicle. “What a challenging way to start this extreme adventure” were the only thoughts I could come up with.
At the launching site, the breathtaking view of Sarangani Bay became more inviting. It was a perfect day. The azure skies complimented the bluish bay and warm wind caressing my face signaled a perfect and extraordinary flight. But knowing I was almost a thousand feet above sea level and I was about to take the leap made me shiver. I never had acrophobia. In fact I always love being on top, but free flying across the skies was beyond doubt different. Yes, there was fear now but I told myself to keep calm, focus, and enjoy this flight of my life.
“Relish it. Savor it. Feel it.” I commanded myself over and over again as I began suiting up for my turn. Titoy was my tandem pilot. He made sure the harness was properly secured and promised me for a remarkable flight that day. As he started his instructions, I keenly listened to him, trying to absorb every word he said. “One mistake and I’m done,” I told myself. But honestly, I couldn’t process all of it. My mind was too busy entertaining thoughts of what would happen in case we crashed. Oh yes, I was paranoid. But somehow I managed to stay calm and believed that this wanderlust and this appetite for great adventure would mean no harm to me.
So, there I was waiting for my turn. Minutes later, I found myself geared up to launch with Titoy as my tandem pilot. I must admit, there was this sudden rush of fear that made me panicky at an instant. Titoy noticed it but he calmed me down and reminded me to stay focused and free my mind from all thoughts and just think about flying – free flying. At his signal, we ran so fast and in few seconds we gently took off into the wind. It was fast and all I can remember was that I was shouting at the top of my lungs: “This is it. This is the flight of my life!”
Titoy, being so used to this kind of flying, was so reassuring, letting me relish the freedom I was feeling literally up above the skies. He told me to unleash all the negative thoughts I had and savor the moment that I was there – up up and away.
Being up in the air more than a thousand feet above sea level, suspended by lines attached to an inflatable wing, was truly a magical experience – an uplifting exhilaration incomparable to other adventures I made in the past. It’s more like a mixture of fear and thrill – braving to launch on a cliff to soar high like a free bird. Yes, we soared high flying engineless across the skies. It was a crazy crazy flight.
As the flight went on, I relaxed myself and remained stunned with the wonderful panoramic view beneath my feet. I was in total and utter awe as my eyes met with a vast panorama that quite literally took my breath away. I couldn’t help comparing how much I admired the view of the scenery from this kind of flight compared with the numerous flights I had with airplanes. Here, I had a 360-degree view of everything under me.
After six minutes of flying, Titoy signaled that it was time to land. I wanted to fly more, to be on the air for a little longer, but every amazing experience should come to end. From a distant, we soared back from where we launched and slowly went down to land. It was a smooth landing. I felt like all the goodness of the skies connived to give me that one perfect flight. I walked fast to the shaded area so fulfilled and overjoyed with what I’ve achieved. I felt so high and that feeling lasted for a few minutes. I couldn’t contain my happiness. Flying has done something so hard to explain. Yes, it’s magical.
As we headed back to the 4X4 truck, I gazed at the very spot where we launched our wings and I smiled knowing I had done something so incredible and that I’d never ever forget for the rest of my life. Because I remember, there were days I dreamt of flying, not inside the enclosed cabins or gigantic planes, but free flying where I can touch the skies and feel the wind beneath my feet, and I did them all gliding the mesmerizing skylines of Sarangani. What an uplifting experience!
SARAGANI PARAGLIDE made that dream come true. Thank you! Thank you!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
SARAGANI PARAGLIDE
Saffi Ranch 1, Sitio Seguil, Barangay Tinoto
Maasim, Sarangani province
+639228071961
+639333736871
Facebook Page: Sarangani Paraglide
Subscribe
Login
0 Comments
Oldest