Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club in Morong, Bataan hosted the Philippine National Hobie 16 Championships on February 4 to 5, 2012-the fifth in a string of sailing events in the Aboitiz Traveller Series. Organized by the Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Foundation (PHINSAF), the Traveller Series is held in various beaches and yacht clubs across the country, and Anvaya Cove-who generously hosted the sailors for the first but hopefully not the last time-proved to be an ideal sailing destination. The steady wind, flat water and clear skies over Subic Bay-with the Bataan mountain ranges rising in the distance and the occasional microlite from the Subic International Airport darting overhead-all made for an incredible sailing weekend.

14 teams participated in the regatta, with almost all of the regular sailors from the Taal Lake Yacht Club (TLYC) in attendance-among them Mike Ngu and his crew Lindo Pahayhay; Dennis Cruz and his crew Arnel Ornales; Roman Azanza and his crew David Azanza; Paul Symes and his crew Carlo Lienau; and Maria Vidoeira and her crew Joe Hagerdorn. Also in attendance were David Harris and his crew Jason Luengo, who both flew in from Cebu to participate in the regatta. The race committee and support boats were manned by TLYC's boatmen under the supervision of Medy Fidel, the coach of the Philippine Sailing Association (PSA). The PSA was well-represented with the three teams: Ridgely Ballardares and his crew Richly Magsanay; Ashley Escalante and his crew Mario Malarte; and Emerson Villena and his crew Joel Mejarito.

On Saturday evening, an Italian-themed buffet dinner was held by the beach at Anvaya's open-air clubhouse. A champagne toast was made in honor of Glenn Everett and Jana Franke, who announced-to the surprise and delight of their sailor friends-that they had gotten married in January. Glenn and Hanna had been racing together at the Taal Lake Yacht Club for years, and they are only one of many couples for whom sailing has played a significant part. Family values run concurrent with the sport if sailing, and the two father-and-son teams, one sibling team, three couple teams, and the friends and families who came to the regatta to support the sailors that weekend were a testament to that.

After a stellar performance, the PSA team of Ridgely Balladares and Richly Magsanay garnered top marks in the National Championships. Mike Ngu and Lindo Pahayhay came in second, whole also coming in first in the Open Class and Masters Class. TLYC's Commodore Peter Capotosto and his crew Carla Kramer trailed not far behind at third in the Nationals, and second in the Open and Masters.

 

Travel Magazine
April-May 2012 Issue