Sky-High Milestone: Oslob Launches the Region’s First International Paragliding Festival
OSLOB, CEBU — The skies over Southern Cebu got a lot more colorful. From April 24 to 26, 2026, the Oslob Cebu Paragliding Development (OCPD), in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Province of Cebu, hosted a three-day aerial showcase at the Can-anao take-off site.
This year’s festival marks a major milestone for Philippine air sports, bringing together world-class pilots and adventure seekers for a weekend of high-flying competition and tourism. As the only paragliding facility in Cebu, OCPD’s location in the mountain ridges provide the perfect thermal lifts for both professional maneuvers and beginner tandem flights.
Image courtesy of Department of Tourism Central Visayas – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/178P76WkY7/
The Precision Accuracy Competition
The centerpiece of the festival was the Precision Accuracy Competition, a rigorous test of technical skill where pilots launch from an elevation of over 1,700 feet to vie for a perfect target landing. There are participants from 9 different countries; Malaysia, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, United Kingdom, and the Philippines. This competition is officially sanctioned by the Philippine Airsports Federation (PASF), Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), and the Airsports Federation of Asia (AFA). These certifications ensure the event meets international competitive standards, allowing athletes to earn points toward their global rankings. As the final rounds concluded on April 26, the leaderboard was headlined by a spectacular showing from the Mohd Nafi family. Muhammad Akmalluddin Bin Mohd Nafi claimed the gold, closely followed by his brother, Muhammad Ammaruddin Mohd Nafi in second place, and local pilot Junrey Cambal bagging the 3rd place.
Family Legacy in the Skies: The Mohd Nafi Sweep
While individual skill was on full display throughout the weekend, the Team Category belonged entirely to the Mohd Nafi family. Their synchronized excellence allowed them to outpace a field of seasoned international teams, proving that their success is as much about collective strategy as it is about individual talent.
The family’s victory in the team division served as a masterclass in consistency. By securing both the gold and silver in the individual accuracy rankings, they created an insurmountable lead. Their ability to read the Oslob thermals in tandem and execute near-perfect landings one after another was the defining narrative of the festival’s final day.
A Legacy of Flight
The family’s journey into the clouds began with the patriarch, Ammar Mohd Nafi, who has been paragliding for over 19 years. For him, the sport is about the pure essence of liberty.
“I feel very free; I can go anywhere without an engine. It is a true bird’s-eye view. It feels very nice when we fly,” Ammar shared.
The family’s first visit to Cebu proved to be as memorable on the ground as it was in the air. “In Cebu, it’s very fun. The area is good—we even went whale watching. The people here are very nice and accommodating,” he added.
A Shared Passion
What started as a solo hobby eventually transformed into a family lifestyle. Mrs. Mohd Nafi explained how her husband’s enthusiasm became the catalyst for their collective success.
“I followed because I like the sport and the paragliding. Then, our kids followed us,” she said, noting that the sport has become a way for the family to bond.
Determination Above the Clouds
Despite their international success, the family remains grounded and realistic about the challenges of the sport. Mr. Mohd Nafi noted that their participation in global circuits is a matter of dedication and resourcefulness, stating that the family actively enters competitions as often as their financial capability allows. Their win in Oslob is a testament to the fact that passion, when shared as a family, can overcome any hurdle.
The Expert View: Shakira Azman
As the festival concluded, technical experts highlighted that while the event was a success, it also shed light on the structural needs of the sport in the region. Airports Federation of Asia (AFA) Chief Judge, Shakira Azman provided a critical perspective on the growth of the sport. She noted that while talent in the Philippines is high, the frequency of competitions is the missing link for local development.
“Very few competitions are being hosted here in the Philippines so the pilots do not have access to competitions which are the platform. Example: In school we can learn throughout the year, but without an exam, we can never know where we are.
So what I believe is, due to the lacking of competitions in the country, the pilots can’t know what level they are, therefore it’s quite hard for them to push harder. I know and I believe deep in my heart that the Philippines has a lot more to discover, a lot more flyable sites, but are waiting to be discovered.”
About OCPD
The Oslob Cebu Paragliding Development (OCPD) is the premier paragliding hub in Southern Cebu founded by Malcolm Vargas in partnership with Tito Rendon. Focused on safety, athlete development, and sustainable adventure tourism, OCPD aims to establish the Philippines as a top-tier destination for the global air sports community.