CATBALOGAN CITY-The first of its kind in the region, the Buri Inflatable Water Park in Buri Island this city is holding a month-long festival dubbed as OctoBURIfest.
According to Mayor Stephanie Uy-Tan, she is overwhelmed by the reception of the people of Catbalogan and from other provinces who come on weekends to spend a different experience at the park which just opened on September 10.
The water park is located in Barangay Estaka,12 kms from the city proper and is privately-owned. But the city government, however, is encouraging the residents to organize people’s organizations so that villagers can attend capacity building trainings and avail of jobs offered at the park as lifeguards, massage therapists and the like.
On weekends, a motor-boat is also available to tourists from the Seawall beside Catbalogan City Police Station to the park with a round trip fare of P80 each person for a minimum of 20 persons.
While the entrance fee is free, one has to pay for the water activities like zorb ball at P150 for 15 minutes, fly-fish at P300 per 15 minutes, banana-boats at P200 for 15 minutes. Another water activity will be added this month.
The island, with a long stretch of white sand, is also good for diving.
Among the activities this OctoBURIfest in the morning on weekends are Frisbee tutorial, skimboarding tutorial, beach-volleyball tutorial, and sunset zumba.
Amazing Race is a special event on October 20.
Other activities include band exposition on October 13; Jamaican Night on October 14; bodybuilding on October 20; SMB Night October 21; foam party on October 28 and acoustic night on October 31.
The Buri-Inflatable Water Park is part of the Buri Island Development, to include the forthcoming Mangrove Eco-Park in Cabugawan Village and the production of recycled souvenir and eco-products at San Roque village.
(VICKY C. ARNAIZ)
