Cagayan de Oro | The City of Golden Friendship

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub, the country’s longest running and most prestigious amateur golf tournament, goes to Northern Mindanao for just the fourth time in its 64-year history when Cagayan de Oro hosts the annual event from Feb. 16 to 26. A record field of 167 teams are taking part, 12 more than the previous high of 155 teams set last year in Bacolod. Dubbed “The Heat Is On,” the nearly two-week long event begins Feb. 16 with the Seniors Interclub where 89 clubs are entered, led by defending champion Luisita.

The field includes eight new entrants from overseas – Las Vegas,San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Vancouver, Guam, Saipan and Tokyo.

Nearly half of the field are made up of foreign-based squads, underscoring the growing popularity of the tournament among players 55 years old and above. Luisita is expected to field the same crew that ended Canlubang’s four-year reign last year.

After a two-day break, the regular Interclub event takes place from Feb. 23 to 26.

At least 78 teams – three more than last year – have signed up for the event that draws the country’s top amateur golfers.

Among them are 31 international teams, including newcomers from Reno/Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Los Angeles; Dubai; Tokyo and Nagoya. Reinstated teams from Sydney, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. will make a comeback.

Multi-titled Canlubang is returning to defend its title against The Country Club, last year’s runner-up, and former champions Manila Southwoods and Del Monte, which stunned the tournament with an audacious breakout triumph in 2004.

The 64th PAL Interclub will be jointly played on the region’s two premier golf courses – Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in the hills above Cagayan de Oro City and Del Monte Golf Club, set in the vast pineapple plantation in the municipality of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon province.

This year’s competition is backed by platinum sponsors Boeing, Radio Mindanao Network, Business Mirror and Interactive Broadcast Media (DWWW).

The major sponsors are People Asia, 105.1 Crossover and Traversing the Orient.

Also lending support are corporate sponsor Manila Bulletin and Bombo Radyo Philippines, while minor sponsors are Lufthansa Technik Philippines, MasterCard and Century Park Hotel.

Prize donors include Panasonic Avionics and Tanduay. More detailed information on the tournament is available on the dedicated PAL Interclub webpage at www.philippineairlines.com/events.

Schedule of Activities

SENIORS’ Division:

February 16, 2011 (Wednesday)
0800H - Ceremonial Tee-off
Del Monte Golf Club

0900H - Seniors’ Division 2nd Team Captain’s Meeting
Del Monte Golf Club

February 17-20, 2011 (Thursday –Sunday)
0600H - Tournament proper
Pueblo de Oro Golf & CC and Del Monte Golf Club

February 20, 2011 (Sunday)

1900H - Seniors’ Awards Night
Atrium, Limketkai

MEN’s REGULAR Division

February 22, 2011 (Tuesday)
0800H - Ceremonial Tee-off
Pueblo de Oro Golf & CC

0900H - Men’s Regular Division 2nd Team Captain’s Meeting
Pueblo de Oro Golf & CC

February 23-26, 2011 (Wednesday-Saturday)
0600H - Tournament proper
Pueblo de Oro Golf & CC and Del Monte Golf Club

February 26, 2011 (Saturday)
1900H - Men’s Awards Night
Atrium, Limketkai

Source:
www.philippineasiannewstoday.com

Ultralight flying is now the latest of adventure-crazy Northern Mindanao. It was just first conceived as a hobby by a Filipino-American retiree, Carl Frias who has settled in nearby Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

The plane is locally called “Flying Gecko” and flies for about 15-20 minutes over the towns of Manolo Fortich, Libona and sometimes Cagayan de Oro City. As stated earlier, it was just a hobby by Frias but others wanted to experience flying with the Gecko that they willingly paid for the gas. Since then, the “Flying Gecko” has become popular that it was finally opened to the public…and Mr. Frias is planning to buy another one.

Once in the air, you can have a bird’s eye view (literally) of the vast pineapple plantation, landmarks in Manolo Fortich and Libona, and if you’re lucky, a glimpse of Cagayan de Oro City. Too bad if you’re afraid of flying…

The runway is located at Camp 3 in the middle of the vast pineapple plantation of Del Monte Phils., Inc.

Click here to check out amazing ultra light flying videos of Carlito Frias as his ultra light plane soars above the sky of Bukidnon.

A Beautiful Country video

by Carlito frias