LEADer Benny Arce’s Footprint in the Sands of Ilocos Norte

Before the rainy season arrived, the LEAD Movement was blessed with the opportunity to tell their humble story of pioneering the Ilocos Norte tourism mainstay in the Philippines — sandboarding and off-roading in the distinct rolling sand dunes of La Paz, Laoag — via Reuters, the international news provider.

How the LEAD Movement wish Benny Arce left us later, just a little later to watch himself tell the world his dream as a LEADer. Benny Arce passed away in the early hours of May 15. Please watch the video and say a little prayer for the fine guy.

LEAD Movement Executive Direstor Benny Arce said: “It would be nice to be called, the Laoag as the sand boarding capital of the Philippines. And maybe we can’t claim that for the whole world, maybe we could say, one of the best in the world.”

It will be remembered that Manong Benny Arce worked so hard for a sand adventure park blueprint that was submitted to both the provincial and local governments. After one full term, we never got an answer from the leaders.

I quote young LEADer Ericke Tan, “Tito Benny Arce, your memory lives in every sand board track, every foot print and in every grain of sand in La Paz.”

Our heartfelt thanks to Thompson Reuters television producer Michaela Cabrera and cameraman Pedro Uchi. View this travel news feature on the Laoag La Paz Sand Dunes posted on Today.com.

website. For sand adventure inquiries and booking, contact Reny Tan 0919-873-5516, 0917-841-5155 Facebook page

Photographed by the LEAD Movement All Rights Reserved 2012

LEAD Movement Then and Now

Originally posted by BlauEarth.com

Meet the members of LEAD {pronounced leed [and not led], as in affect, move, induce, motivate, influence, guide, spur, bring on, introduce, trail-blaze, etc.}. The acronym stands for Laoag Eco-Adventure Development Movement, or the X men, as in extreme, eccentric folks, synonymous to the irrelevantly relevant or relevantly irrelevant adventure group, whatever floats your boat.

The eight-year old organization had a post-holiday reunion the other day. Passing through several bouts of disbombar-ment (reminiscent of pitos and Rebollido LOL), we have increased in size, horizontally and vertically. In his element was Boyet Leano (who has left a mark in Adams by naming a picturesque spot “Lover’s Peak” and in case you’re interested to know his raison d’être, he was imagining two rolling tires, that was before Lukas Magnus came into existence.). Marc and Jona acclimatized to the wild recollection of historic moments. What else is more heinous than wearing leather office shoes to Mt. Pulag’s summit? I guess claiming ownership to a fleet of aircrafts — the minutes of the non-meeting meeting, for the perusal of the rest of the LEADers.

We luv ya, Ona, Misty, Did, Buda, Margo, Akira, Allan, Lordly, Angeli, MC, Jun, Larry, Boying, Bong, Abu, Ken, Paul and each and everyone who rode the overtaxed BJ40 aka LC03! LEAD Movement remains.

Behind-the-scenes with Kris Aquino for KrisTV

So real, Ms. Kris Aquino tours Ilocos and shoots for her TV talk show on ABS-CBN.

The irrepressible John “Sweet” Lapus, the particular episode’s special guest, tries sandboarding. Sweet yelled “Bongga!” as soon as he succeeds the smooth descent.

Entertainment writer Darla Sauler with LEAD Movement Executive Director Benny Arce. In the photo below, with KrisTV segment producer James is LEADer MC Manangan.

No blinking now. Proud Ilocano moment. LEAD, which stands for Laoag Eco-Adventure Development, conceptualized sandboarding in 2009 in hopes of attracting more tourists to Ilocos Norte. We’d like to call it a backyard project, we aimed to market the unproductive, idle vast centuries-old sand dunes for niche tourism helping the essential trickle-down effect. It was a long and ardous road. Those who have followed the blog early on are familiar with that road. We never thought sandboarding would reach this far, this big. We’re moving on to a new adventure. In the works…

With special thanks to Ms. Krs Aquino, Sweet Lapus and KrisTV.

Photographed by Blauearth for LEAD Movement All Rights Reserved 2012

Managing household waste

We hope this will help you evaluate your garbage practices and devise a more efficient system of reducing, recycling and reusing.

Feel the heat of the Philippines’ first-ever sandboarding competition

Yes, only in Laoag! La Paz, Laoag! It’s more fun in the Philippines!

The Laoag La Paz Sandboarding Competition was presented by the LEAD Movement and Havaianas in cooperation with the City Government of Laoag, headed by Mayor Michael V. Fariñas.

49 participants from Vintar, Bacarra, San Nicolas, La Paz and Laoag signed up for the race.

Congratulations to the winners!
Freestyle Category:
1st – Lou Dave M. Sanquina
2nd – Jay Clavel
3rd – Emma Manuel

Time Trial Race
1st – Marky Miranda
2nd – Eugene Tan
3rd- Harry Yumul

Freestyle Jam Session
1st – Emma Manuel
2nd – Janer Santos
3rd – Harry Yumul

Sandboarding by the LEAD Movement makes the frontpage of Manila Bulletin

In the banner photo is sandboarder Marc Nicolas, shot by Rizaldy Comanda at the Laoag La Paz Sand Dunes. Sandboarding in Ilocos was created by the LEAD Movement in August 2009.

Sandboarding AHAdventure sa Ilocos

Scenes from GMA Kapuso Network AHA!’s 100th episode featuring “sand” was shot with the LEAD Movement around the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag.