Friendship kayak expedition team arrives in Davao; paddler to end adventure

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The Friendship Kayak Expedition, which left Glan, Sarangani last August 31, arrived before noon Monday at the Pearl Farm Beach Resort Marina in Lanang, this city.

The team led by Khoo Swee Chiow, an extreme adventurer, author and inspirational speaker who has climbed Mount Everest twice and explored both South and North Poles, stayed overnight and started paddling early Tuesday morning off to Siargao Island in their 3,300-kilometer 100-day journey to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

The expedition aims to inspire everyone with its message of perseverance, exploration, and hope.

It also celebrates the 40th anniversary of Filipino-Singaporean diplomatic relations, and is also instrumental in bringing attention to the Department of Tourism’s latest campaign in developing adventure tourism through kayaking.

Arriving with Khoo were Erwin Glenn Budlong of Cebu and Arnel Gabutero from Davao City, both expert kayakers. However, Gabutero, will no longer be proceeding to Siargao as he only joined the Davao leg.

Keeping track of the expedition on land from the starting point in Sarangani, in the southernmost point of Mindanao, are Toby Martin, expedition manager; Randell Raymundo, expedition video documentary producer; and Randy Su, expedition logistics director.

Other highlights of the route will be Davao (Mati, Bislig, Tandag, Surigao, Maasin), Bohol, Cebu, Boracay (midpoint of expedition), Mindoro, Batangas, Manila, Subic Bay, Alaminos, Lingayen, Dagupan, San Fernando, Candon, Vigan, Laoag, all the way to its finish point in Maira-ira Point in Pagudpud, the northernmost point of Luzon.

Khoo and Budlong will be passing through Palawan, the country’s top kayak destination.