WORLD-RATED Filipino surfers Rogelio Esquivel Jr. and Jomarie Ebueza will up against elite bets from Asia and Oceania in the International Siargao Cup, a World Surfing League Qualifying Series event from Oct. 23 to 31 in the international surfing hub and picturesque island of Siargao, Surigao del Norte.
“Siargao ticks all the qualities that the WSL wants in staging a competition,” noted Australian WSL PH technical director John Carby said in the special session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association yesterday at the Wildflour Restaurant in Makati.
“This is one sport that is really close to my heart,” noted presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Marcos, who became a keen supporter and ambassador of the exciting water sport he took up three years ago.
Joining them in program backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, San Miguel Corp., Smart/PLDT, Milo and gaming portal ArenaPlus were surfing head Dr. Raul Canlas, PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio Congressmen Michael Dy, the House Sports and Youth Development Committee chairman; and Rommel Angara, whose town of Baler, Aurora is also a popular surfing spot in the country.
“There are three things that the WSL looks at in picking a competition site: the landscape and sports tourism, the surfing community and the waves or surf breaks, and Siargao fulfills all three,” Carby said.
“Of course, the scenic landscape of Siargao makes it ideal while Filipino people are famed for their hospitality. Then you have surf breaks or the waves so it is truly ideal to stage a competition there,” he noted.
Gregorio, who visited the island recently during his meeting with Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Barbers, continued to make his pitch for sports tourism, stressing that “holding international competitions serves as an economic driver of the country because they draw tourists.
“So we should have international tournaments such as the Siargao Cup again and again and again.”
Angara, the representative of the lone congressional district of the province of Aurora, said this was proven true once word got out that Baler was a good location for surfers.
“This was why President Bongbong Marcos announced during his last visit to Baler that he had approved the building of an airport in our provincial capital,” he disclosed.
Carby said that besides Esquivel and Ebueza, ranked world No. 3 and 16, respectively, in the longboard event, “we will have top surfers from Asia and Oceania like Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.”
He added that veterans Philmar Alipayo and John Mark Tokong, a four-time national champion, and 2019 Philippine Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Nilbie Blancada are also among those expected to carry the country’s colors in the meet.
THE excitement and charm of Philippine surfing will take centerstage with the holding of the Siargao International 6000 Surfing Cup from Oct. 23 to 31 in beautiful Siargao.
It is the highest-ranking WSL (World Surf League) qualifying series ever in the Philippines, which is fast becoming a premier destination for professional surf events. It is open to global participants beyond Asia Pacific.
Top surfers (128 male and 64 female) from China, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and the host country will vie in the “highly-sought-after event” that offers $50,000 to the champions.
Earlier this year, the WSL staged the World Junior Championships in La Union, and this time, an even bigger event aimed at further promoting sports tourism in the country is set to take place.
“It’s not just for the athletes but for the local communities as well,” said Presidential son and Sports Ambassador Vincent Marcos during Tuesday’s special Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Wild Flour restaurant in Makati.
“I love all sports but surfing has a very special place in my heart,” added the young Marcos, who’s into surfing himself. He said it’s a perfect chance for the Philippines to promote sports tourism and show how “world class” its surfing destinations are.
Also gracing the forum were Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, Isabela 5th District and House Commiittee on Youth and Sports chairman Rep. Mike Dy, Aurora Quezon Lone District Rep. Rommel Angara, United Philippine Surfing Association president Dr. Raul Canlas, tournament technical director John Carby, world No. 3 and longboard champion Jay-R Esquivel and Nildie Blancada of the Siargao Surf Association.
“This hosting is part ot the sports tourism program that we are pursuing. We believe that sports tourism is an economic driver. And why surfing? Because it’s a beautiful sport,” said the PSC chairman.
“And with 7,100 islands, how can we go wrong? As long as we see the leaders really pushing, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t support it,” added Gregorio in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app Arena Plus.
“This is a top-level event. It’s world class,” said Carby, noting that Philippine surfing destinations such as Siargao, Baler and La Union are also known for their unmatched hospitality, and “that makes it very easy for the WSL to host such events.”
“There’s magic in Siargao, there’s magic in Baler, there’s magic in La Union,” said Gregorio.
