PUERTO Princesa, the Philippines? premier Sports Tourism Capital, hosts the Balayong Festival Offroad Challenge at the City Hall grounds on March 13 to 15.

Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn thought of a differently challenging 3-in-1 spectacle as he not only brought in 4x4 off-road vehicles and motocross time trials, but also, for the very first time, mountain bike races all in one weekend as part of Puerto Princesa City?s 137th foundation day anniversary and the 5th Balayong Festival.

The Balayong Festival is held in honor of the unique Balayong Flower endemic to this award-winning city, which is much like the Cherry Blossoms of Japan.

The festival has attracted a lot of tourists every year and the Balayong Festival Offroad Challenge, sponsored by JVC, Asialink Finance Corp., Ziebart, Bioaktiv Fuel Additive, Mossimo and Auto Transporters and media partners Wave 89.1 FM, Turbo Time Radio Show, Speed TV, C! Magazine and One Sport, is an added attraction to make their stay even more memorable and boost the city?s campaign for the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or more known as the Underground River to make it into the Seven Wonders of the World.

Organized by MP Turbo for the third time, the event has attracted another record number of more than 20 4x4 vehicles and 35 drivers from different parts of the country.

With mountain bikes becoming the fastest-growing off-road sport in the country today, some of the best professional mountain bikers and enthusiastic beginners from Palawan will make the event truly memorable.

The event also enjoys tremendous support from Oplan Linis and Tourism head by Ellen Hagedorn, city administrator Augustin Boy Rocamora, city sports councilor lawyer Gregorio Austria, city information head Al Ruben Goh and the Kilos Agad Action Center.

?We are so overwhelmed by the response that we have received for the Balayong Festival Offroad Challenge,? said MP Turbo head Mike Potenciano. ?Mayor Hagedorn is so supportive of sporting events in the city that we are happy that our friends in the sport have graciously accepted his invitation. We will see the best of the best 4x4 drivers do battle here in challenging conditions and also help support the growth of mountain biking here.?