Simply mesmerized by El Nido

MANILA, Philippines — El Nido, Palawan might become one of the ‘meccas’ for cliff diving from here on.

Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series officials and the divers themselves see that possibility on the horizon after two successful staging of the gravity-defying event at the renowned Lagen Island, Small and Big Lagoons there over the weekend.

“It’s tough climbing up the rocks but when you’re up there (at the El Nido cliffs), it feels like a mecca of high diving,” said 10-time Red Bull champion and two-time world championship king Gary Hunt of France, who has been all over the world for top-tier diving spots.

“It’s been a long time coming for six years. And it’s in El Nido again. I’m so happy to be here. My heart is full of joy and love.”

Hunt, 40, topped the opening leg with a vintage performance in the final two rounds at the Big Lagoon, boasting the preserved limestone cliffs of Palawan with crystal clear waters below and the scenic sunset behind.

“It’s just beautiful. This is the type of location we like for cliff diving. It’s a lot of places but to find the right spot with perfect technical requirements, these are probably the best places for that,” said Red Bull sports director Orlando Duque, a world pioneer for cliff diving.

“This is one of those places you always want to go back to. We went to a few places but it’s always been in the back of our heads to return. The calendar is being worked on as we go through the season. It’s not a yes, it’s not a no but if they ask me, I’ll say ‘let’s go back to El Nido.’ That will be my vote.”