Hi Earthlings, I have a confession to make. I saw the news today and they featured so*meone who tried tandem paragliding in Manila for the first time—and I realized I committed a content crime. I realized that while I posted a vlog about my sky-high adventures years ago, I never actually sat down to write a blog post about it. I know, rude, right? I’ve been letting this core memory live rent-free in my head without sharing the full tea with you guys here.
So, we are correcting that timeline today. We are going back to May 2018 (I know, I’m exposing my age, but we move). It’s time to finally talk about the day I crossed a major item off my bucket list: Tandem Paragliding in Manila.
The “No Gear, Just Vibes” Situation
What's Inside
Before we get into the dreamy views, I need to set the scene because the anxiety was real.
Nowadays, everyone has a GoPro on a stick, an Insta360 strapped to their helmet, or a drone following them around. But back then? I didn’t have any of that fancy gear. I didn’t even have a selfie stick.
I literally flew off the side of a mountain holding my Android phone in my bare hands.
Yes, you read that right. I trusted my grip strength more than I trust most men. I was suspended thousands of feet in the air, holding my lifeline to the digital world, praying to the universe that I wouldn’t drop it into the forests of Cavite below. Looking back, that was brave bordering on chaotic, but honestly? It makes the footage even more iconic.
Meeting the Legend: Uwe Blair and High5Paragliding
If you are looking for Tandem Paragliding in Manila, you are technically going to be heading to Carmona, Cavite. It’s super accessible and close enough for a day trip.
I flew with High5Paragliding, and my pilot was Uwe Blair. Let me tell you, if you are going to run off a cliff with a stranger strapped to your back, you want it to be Uwe. He is the definition of a green flag. 🟢
He was so chill, so professional, and had this calming aura that instantly lowered my heart rate. He walked me through the process—harness, helmet, and the golden rule: don’t stop running until we are flying.
The Takeoff: Main Character Energy
The wind was perfect. The sky was that specific shade of blue that makes you feel like everything is going to be okay. We ran, the wing puffed up behind us, and suddenly, my feet were dangling.
The noise of the world just… stopped.
Floating up there is a different kind of therapy. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. You see the patchwork of greens below, the winding roads, and Manila’s skyline peeking out in the distance. I felt like the main character in an indie movie. I was ready for my emotional, reflective montage.
But then, Uwe decided we needed a little spice.
The “OMG We Are Somersaulting” Moment
We were cruising along, me gripping my Android phone for dear life, when Uwe asked if I wanted to do some tricks. Being the adrenaline junkie (or maybe just a people pleaser) that I am, I said yes.
OMG. We somersaulted in the air.
And I don’t mean a little spin. I mean full-on acrobatic, sky-high somersaults. My stomach dropped, I screamed, I laughed, and the horizon kept flipping upside down. It was the most unhinged, exhilarating feeling ever. And yes, I still held onto my phone through the G-force. That is talent.
Here is the vlog of my Tandem Paragliding in Manila Experience !
Why You Need This Bucket List Adventure
If you’ve been feeling stuck, stressed, or just bored with the routine, you need to try Tandem Paragliding in Manila.
You don’t need to be an athlete. You don’t need to be brave (you just need to run when they tell you to). It’s the perfect mix of peace and adrenaline.
My tips for the girlies:
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Wear comfy clothes: Leggings and sneakers are a must. Cute but functional.
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Trust your pilot: They know the wind better than we know our own zodiac signs.
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Secure your phone: Learn from my stress—get a lanyard or a strap if you don’t have a GoPro!
The Verdict
Landing was smooth—no face plants, thankfully. As soon as my feet touched the grass, I felt lighter. I left a lot of fear up there in the clouds.
So, if you’re looking for a sign to book that adventure? This is it. Go touch the sky, bestie. It’s a whole vibe up there.
