Outdoor Enthusiasts Gather in Toledo City for Lust for Lime XV

Earlier this week, hundreds of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts from different parts of the country and the world descended upon Barangay Cantabaco in Toledo City for the start of an exciting yearly event. The usually quiet barangay came alive as climbers, both new and experienced, arrived for a full week of adrenaline-pumping activities.

Lust for Lime XV

Lust for Lime, now on its fifteenth year, is a yearly gathering of rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts in the City of Toledo in western Cebu. Organized by Power Up Events Management, a Manila-based organization, the event aims to strengthen the existing community of climbers as well as welcome the new breed of enthusiasts who want to become part of the community.

Despite being a regular event for the past 15 years, however, little is known about Lust for Lime. According to the Department of Tourism Region VII Chief Tourism Operations Officer Dr. Gelena N. Asis-Dimpas, this could be due to the fact that the sport is limited to or isolated within its stakeholders and enthusiasts. Just like paragliding, kiteboarding, skimboarding, and other sports which are also slowly gaining attention within the region, rock climbing is only shared or talked about by the people within their circles.

DOT Region VII Gets Involved

There is hope, however, as the sport is steadily gaining momentum. Each year, more and more local and international climbers are joining the week-long event and encouraging others to also actively participate. For this reason, the Department of Tourism wants to get involved not only to promote the sport but also to sustain the program. The rock climbing crags of both Poog and Cantabaco in Toledo City, are now being eyed by the Department of Tourism Region VII as potential adventure pockets which can be added to the region’s Adventure and Sports map that the agency is putting together.

Knowing how popular rock climbing was back in the 80s and 90s, the DOT understands that by identifying both the obstacles and enablers, collaborating with the local government units, and giving the sport the support that it needs, a bright future surely awaits rock climbing in Cebu.

Support from Toledo City

Lust for Lime XV was officially opened last Wednesday, October 30, 2019. In front of a crowd of climbers, guests, and supporters, Toledo City Mayor Joy Marjorie Perales shared that under her administration, she wants the city to actively promote sports tourism. As a matter of fact, just last June, the city held its first-ever dragon boat competition as part of this campaign.

Mayor Perales believes that Toledo is already extremely lucky to have such amazing natural wonders and that supporting the sport and making it a sustainable tourism project was the best thing that she could do as the mother of the city. Seeing first-hand the impact and the success of the yearly event, Mayor Perales also promised to give Lust for Lime her all-out support. She said that both the city and local government would definitely make sustainability, safety, clean restrooms, security, and better road networks their top priority.

Toledo City’s Cantabaco Crag

The Cantabaco Crag in Barangay Cantabaco in Toledo City is a limestone cliff that is perfect for rock climbing and other similar activities. Since its discovery many years ago, Cantabaco has been a favorite go-to spot among outdoor enthusiasts who wish to challenge themselves and conquer the massive (and very challenging) cliff face. Take a look at these photos of the legendary Cantabaco Crag during the recent visit of the team from the DOT VII.

More photos from Lust for Live XV:

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Lust for Lime XV will run from October 28 to November 3, 2019. Check out the complete event schedule below:

Program
October 28, MONDAY
• Registration and First day of climbing in Cantabaco area.
• Start of Photography Challenge and Facebook Post Challenge

October 29, TUESDAY
• Climbing in Poog and Cantabaco Area

October 30, WEDNESDAY
• 3pm – Placing of Welcome Lei on participants by the Department of Tourism, Region 7
• 4pm – Official opening of Lust for Lime XV
—– Opening remarks by Joey Cuerdo, Power Up Events Management
—– Welcome Speech
 Shahlimar Tamano, Regional Director, DOT
 Joy Marjorie Perales, Mayor, Toledo City
 Roy Deveraturda, President, Carmen Copper Corporation
—– Closing remarks and announcements by Mackie Makinano
—– Ribbon Cutting
• 7pm – Barbeque Party and Swimming party at Spring Park

October 31, THURSDAY
• Climbing in Poog.
• Fun Competition – Team Relay and Speed climbing competition in Poog Area
• 11am – Side Trip: Best Practices mining Tour with Lunch (First 60 to register)
• Videoke Challenge

November 1, FRIDAY
• 7pm – Free Dinner and awarding for Team Relay competition
• Fun Competition – Climb as much as you can and earn points
Awarding of all competitions and challenges.

November 2, SATURDAY
• 8pm – VICTORY PARTY

November 3, SUNDAY
• Climbing in Poog and Cantabaco, Free and Easy

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To know more about Lust for Lime, be sure to follow their official Facebook page HERE.