CamSur welcomes tourists to Lago del Rey

by Isah V. Red

Now the no. 1 tourist destination in the Bicol Region, Pili, the capital town of Camarines Sur, or just CamSur as Gov. LRay Villafuerta wants his province to be known, welcomes guests to its new water sports complex called Lago del Rey (the king?s lake in English).

The 18-hectare manmade lagoon lies just a several meters across the wakeboarding lagoon that have made Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) the first world-class watersports complex in the Philippines and the best cable park in the world.

We flew to Pili recently for the launch of Lago del Rey. While I am from the neighboring province of Albay, I have never been to CWC since it was built and launched some three years ago. My curiosity to see the development in the once sleepy town of Pili had me packing some clothes for a two-day visit to the tourist facility.

The complex is a short ride from the Pili (Naga to air travelers) airport and is actually located in a land that the province owns. The capitol building is nearby, so is the governor?s mansion.

Lago del Rey is the latest facility in the complex and was being unveiled to guests via the Summer Aquafest.

A celebrity challenge at the lagoon (not wakeboarding this time) was going to be highlight of the aquafest.

?We?re staying true to our commitment of bringing only the best and most complete water sports park here in the Philippines and all over the world. With Lago del Rey, families, friends and kids can truly enjoy an unforgettable getaway in a place which caters to whatever watersports they prefer,? said Gov. Villafuerte during a press conference at the restaurant fronting the wakeboarding lagoon.

?My opponents said that if I lose, they?d turn this into fish pond,? Villafuerte said, controlling laughter. ?But I won, so we decided to build another lagoon so we can offer more activities to our guests.?

The manmade lagoon was awesome in its construction. Yet, the governor was determined to build it and it became a reality in less than a year. Remember that this is right in the middle of a land that was formerly planted with rice. Water source is from underneath the ground.

Now, CWC with Lago del Rey as another attraction offers very affordable wholesome family water sports entertainment. At one end of the lake, there?s giant water slides, aqua wall climbing, water polo, water volleyball, kayaking, aqua obstacle course, paddle surfing, boat-towed wakeboarding and skiing, dragonboating, and of course, pure and simple swimming.

The Lago del Rey also has a Kids? Activity Center providing suitable water-oriented sports and entertainment for children.

The celebrities and media invited by the governor enjoyed a weekend of fun water-based competitions, which also became a fitting celebration to welcome the summer. They also tried the exciting amenities offered by the Lago del Rey, where they got to unwind and experience simple yet fun water sports activities.

A White Party was also held to welcome the guests who enjoyed a sunset cocktails gathering amid on the southeastern shore of the lagoon. The governor and wife Lara had a grand time with the guests that included Joey Marquez, John Estrada, Gary Estrada, Raymond Gutierrez, Ryan Yllana, Tim Yap, and JM Rodriguez and a host of starlets and stars wannabes. A jazz-rock band (my memory seems to fail me) played music till the wee hours.

The following day, more celebrities planed in, some from as far as Legazpi. Drew Arellano came right in time for the Celebrity Challenge? he was with the White team along with new arrivals Marc Nelson and Dyan Castillejo, Ronnie Henares and wife Ida Ramos.

The games lasted till sundown, after which the governor and wife hosted a dinner party as most of the guests would be flying out of Pili early morning the following day.

Sky Blue team with Gary Estrada as team captain and Gov. LRay as one of the members were declared champion with a mild protest from John Estrada?s Navy Blue team? all for fun of course.

The CamSur WaterSports Complex is the only government-owned and -run tourism complex in the country that is making money for itself. ?It is self-sustaining,? Villafuerte said. ?With the income from the wakeboarding alone, we are able to send many children to school, all under the provincial government?s sponsorship.?

If reelected in 2010, it will be LRay?s last term as governor. He has many things on his planning board?. the development of Caramoan, where another episode of Survivor (French edition) is being shot when we were there, and the development of Mt. Isarog as a biker?s trail. He hopes that whoever takes the governor?s seat after his term is over would continue what he had started and reap the benefits from it.

The launch of the Lago del Rey was sponsored by Ocean Minded Sandals, Hawaiian Tropic, Jager Meister, Hugo Boss, Walker Bay, Aqua Glide, and Republic. The event was successfully organized by Marilen Nu?ez and her team from LenPlus.

With the Lago del Rey, Gov. Villafuerte is optimistic the tourism arrivals in the province will get a boost by at least 50 percent. The giant manmade lake is expected to enhance Camarines Sur?s growing reputation as one of the best tourism destinations in the Philippines.

?With the addition of Lago del Rey, we?re making Camsur Watersports Complex the water entertainment center of Asia,? concluded Gov. Villafuerte.