Adventure race in Paradise Island

IMAGINE the popular reality TV show “Amazing Race” being transported to a frontier and pristine town in the southern island in the country’s Pacific seaboard.

This is what happens as the Siargao Adventure Race 2012 unreels in the rustic town of Santa Monica in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

Now on its second staging, the race will involve off-road running, trekking, mountain biking and orienteering, covering 40 kilometers of the spectacular sceneries and rugged terrain, composed mostly of gravel and dirt roads, and one-third of the way single track trails.

The event incorporates the First Philippine Bike Orienteering Race where the competing two-man teams will navigate on bicycles.

Sta. Monica Mayor Rosalinda Penera said that the race will bring to the fore the town’s famed five-kilometer Alegria White Sand Beach, the rejuvenating Taktak waterfalls, hidden coves, caves, islets with coral gardens, marine sanctuaries and mangrove forests.

She said that the outdoor event will promote the town and Siargao Island as a year-long sports and adventure getaway in addition to being a world-famous surfing spot of the neighboring town of Gen. Luna.

She added that the activity will also open Sta. Monica to potential infrastructure support, community and livelihood programs, and business opportunities from both national government agencies and private investors.

Spicing up the race are socio-civic activities mangrove planting at Santa Monica Mangrove Park, Budol-Budol Fight, Sapao-Sapao Festival, discovery tours, and nightly entertainment.

Located at the northern portion of Siargao Island facing the rich Dinagat Sound, Sta. Monica is a good jump-off point to the equally charming municipalities of Del Carmen and Burgos which have their own distinct tourism magnets.

It can be reached from Cebu via Cebu Pacific Air flight to the Sayak Airport in Del Carmen, Siargao.

Siargao Adventure Race is supported by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, the Philippine Surfing Federation, the Congressional District Office of Rep. Francisco Matugas, the Department of Tourism-Region 13, San Miguel Corp., Nature’s Spring, Coca-Cola Bottlers and Cebu Pacific as official carrier.

Source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/living/16050-adventure-race-in-paradise-island

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‘Ofel’ intensifies into tropical storm—Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines–“Ofel” strengthened into a tropical storm on Wednesday and made landfall over Siargao, a teardrop-shaped island facing the Pacific, prompting weather officials to raise storm signals in over two dozen areas across the country.

The storm hovered directly above Siargao island in Surigao del Norte at 10 a.m. and made its way toward the Visayas in a west northwest direction, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Wednesday.

Storm warning signals were hoisted over 26 provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, Pagasa said in a bulletin.

Placed under Signal No. 2, with winds of 61-100 kilometers per hour, were Bohol, Cebu, including Camotes island, and the two Leyte provinces, in the Visayas; and Dinagat and Camiguin island provinces, and Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, and the northern part of Agusan Del Sur, in Mindanao.

Under Signal No. 1, with winds of 30-60 kph, were Masbate and Romblon in Luzon; Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Biliran, Capiz, Antique, Aklan including Boracay island, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Siquijor island, in the Visayas; and Misamis Oriental, the rest of Agusan Del Sur and the northern part of Bukidnon in Mindanao.

Ofel was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, Pagasa said. The bureau forecast that the storm would be moving in a west northwest direction at 19 kph.

“Storms that make landfall will usually weaken over a land mass and sometimes they dissipate, but because Visayas is a group of islands, we don’t expect that Ofel will decrease its strength by much,” Pagasa forecaster Jori Loiz said.

Ofel, he added, appeared to be interacting with a high pressure area in the West Philippine Sea. “We will have to observe if it will change directions,” he said.

Based on its current track, the storm is expected to be in the vicinity of Roxas City in Capiz by Thursday morning.

By Friday morning, it will likely be 180 km west of Nasugbu, Batangas and 640 km west of Manila by Saturday morning outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

Ofel has a diameter of 500 km. It will spawn moderate to intense rains, at 5 to 20 mm per hour within that range, Pagasa said.

The weather bureau issued its usual warning to residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signals No. 1 and 2, to stay on guard for possible flash floods and landslides.

Likewise, those living in coastal areas under Signal No. 2 were alerted to possible storm surges.

Fishing boats and other small sea craft were also advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon, the seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao due to the combined effect of Ofel and the northeast monsoon.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/294936/ofel-intensifies-into-tropical-storm-pagasa

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Siargao among Southeast Asia's '8 Ultimate Islands"

Sunset in Pilar, Siargao Island (Photo by: Zeny Pallugna)

General Luna, Siargao Island ---  After eighteen years of promoting Siargao as the Philippines' Surfing Capital, the Island is once again recognized by an international travel magazine as one of the southeast Asia's top tropical wonderlands. 

Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia has included Siargao Island in its list of "8 Ultimate Islands," describing it as a great place for "hanging ten," ABS-CBNnews.com said on its website.

"If you're going to Siargao, you'd best bring a surfboard. Curls of white foam are what lure most visitors to this southeast corner of the Philippines, to an island that defines laid-back," the magazine said on its website.

The rest of Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia's Ultimate Islands include Gili Air, Flores and Togean Islads Sulawest in Indonesia, Timor-Lester, Koh Phangan in Thailand, Kadavu Fiji, and Phu Quoc in Vietnam.

In June this year, Siargao, dubbed as the Philippines' Surfing Capital, has been named as the eighth best surf spot in the world by CNNGo, the travel website of the Cable News Network or CNN. Topping CNNGo's list of top surf spots in the world is Pipeline in Oahu, Hawii, which was described as "the daddy of all waves." (Source: ABS-CBNnews.com, September 9, 2012)

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Kenya nationals join Siargao Adventure Race on October 19-21

Photo by: Dennis Ohashi

Santa Monica, Siargao Island  --- Kenya nationals together with last year's champion,  Kenneth Taylor and Stewart Lagura, confirmed to join in the  2nd Siargao Adventure Race, which will be held in the Municipality of Santa Monica from October 19 to 21, 2012.  Both teams are aiming to grab the total prizemoney of Php100,000. Adventure racers all over the globe are invited to join the race.  

This was through the initiative of Congressman Francisco Matugas, Governor Sol Matugas, Mayor Rosalinda  Penera and the Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF). The organizers are now preparing for this adventure race.  SAVE THE DATE AND REGISTER NOW! (email us: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph).

2012 Inaugural Event Champion:  
Kenneth Taylor and Stewart Lagurra from the Province of Bukidnon. (Photo by: Zeny Pallugna) 

EVENT DETAILS:

2nd Siargao Adventure Race 2012:  
"The First Philippine Bike-Orienteering Race"
Event Date:   October 19-21, 2012
Location:  Santa Monica, Siargao Island, Philippines

Distance:  40km / 8 hours
Total Prizemoney:  Php100,000

The Race:  

Siargao Adventure Race will take place in Santa Monica, a rural fishing town located north of Siargao Island that has a five kilometer stretch of white sand beach, waterfalls, hidden coves, caves, islets with beautiful coral reef teeming with fishes, and vast mangrove forest. This sporting event is more than a race, it is a real adventure since the competitors will be taken to these less travelled tourist spots in Santa Monica such as Alegria White Sand Beach and Taktak falls.

The race, scheduled on the 20th of October, will be a strenuous one-day event involving various disciplines such as off-road running, trekking, mountain biking and orienteering; and covering 40-kilometers of the most spectacular scenery and rugged terrain the island has to offer which needs to be completed in eight (8) hours. The terrain is about 30 percent single tract trails and the rest are gravel and dirt roads. Mountain bikes are required for the two-man teams. The race is a navigation race which means an ample amount of compass and map reading skills are needed. It is going to be a single category only. The Teams have to navigate on bikes all throughout the race althought, many parts of th trail cannot be biked, they have to carry their bikes on their backs. There is no swim leg anymore. This is the first "Philippine Bike-Orienteering Race." 

Other Activities:

Aside from the race, both visitors and participants can join in the mangrove planting at Santa Monica Mangrove Park, Budol-Budol Fight, Sapao-Sapao Festival, Discovery Santa Monica Tour, and San Miguel Corporation’s nightly entertainment at Santa Monica Boulevard.

Organizers: 

Municipality of Santa Monica, Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and Philippine Surfing Federation

In-cooperation with: House of Representatives for the First District of Surigao del Norte and Department of Tourism

Sponsors:

San Miguel Corporation, Nature Spring and Coca-Cola Bottlers Company 

Congressman Francisco T. Matugas, First District of Surigao del Norte

Governor Sol F. Matugas, Province of Surigao del Norte

Mayor Rosalinda A. Penera, Municipality of Santa Monica

Entry Fee:   

PHP 1,500 for a Team of 2 persons

Inclusive of food, event jersey, event shirt, and transfers within the island.

Register Now:

Get Registration Form through Philippine Surfing Federation

Email: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph / travelwithzen@gmail.com
Mobile No. +63929-6721508

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Siargao hosts int'l surfing cup from September 23-29

The 2011 defending champion from Tahiti, Enrique Ariitu. (Photo by: Loanne Guardo Huelma)  

General Luna, Siargao Island ---    The 18^th Siargao International Surfing Cup presented by the Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF) will kick off on September 23, Sunday, at the world’s top eight surfing spot, Cloud Nine.  Congressman Guillermo Romarate, Jr. of the second district of Surigao del Norte and Vice-Governor Egay confirmed to grace the ceremonial breaking of the surfboard to pay homage to the gods of the ocean and officially open this year’s surfing festival in the Municipality of General Luna in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. 

A professional surfer from Tahiti, Enrique Ariitu, will be up against the foreign surfers and the Philippines’ top sixteen surfers to defend his last year’s title. The local talents will be naturally enjoying the advantage of carrying local knowledge of the waves along with the support of the local crowd.  Edito “Piso” Alcala, a local surfer from Siargao Island, will also be utilizing his experience at the break to his advantage to grab this year’s championship crown. In 2011, Alcala was defeated by Ariitu on a one-on-one 30-minute heat at Cloud Nine.       

The Philippines’ top sixteen surfers, who were selected during last May 2012’s Siargao national competition, will also be competing with the surfers from Australia, Indonesia and Japan. They are all vying for a total prize-money of US$10,000.

This international surfing event is the Philippines’ longest-running surfing competition making the country popular among the world’s sought after surf destinations.   It will be made possible through the efforts of the Municipality of General Luna, Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and House of Representatives for the First District of Surigao del Norte. 

The event, which lasts through Saturday (September 29), will also feature Siargao National Women’s Beach Volleyball Open (September 24-27),  live musical performances each night from local and regional favorites, Laro Ng Lahi or Philippine Indigenous games, and San Miguel Corporations Fashion Show (September 29).  These special events will be held at Paseo de Cabutog. Everyone is enjoined to witness this surfing competition and explore the natural attractions of Siargao Island.    

This The 18^th Siargao International Surfing Cup presented by the PSF is made possible through the support of Surigao del Norte’s working couple, Congressman Francisco Matugas and Governor Sol Matugas; Mayor Jaime P. Rusillon of General Luna; the Municipality of General Luna, the Philippine Department of Tourism, San Miguel Corporation, Cloud Nine Boardriders, Fluid Surf, Coca-Cola Bottler’s Company, and My Life On Board.   For more information, you may send email to zenpallugna@yahoo.com or call PSF, through its Secretary General Zeny Pallugna, at +639296721508

Entry Fee:  Php2,000 or US$50 per surfer
Total Prizemoney: US$10,000  

Categories:         Men's Open  

Special Events

SIARGAO NATIONAL WOMEN'S BEACH VOLLEYBALL OPEN
Event Date:  September 24-27, 2012
Event Venue: Paseo de Cabuntog (Boulevard), General Luna, Siargao Island
Entry Fee:  Php500 per team

SMB Live Band - September 23 to 28, 2012
SMB Bikini Open - September 29, 2012

PINOY GAMES OR LARO NG LAHI -  September 24 to 28, 2012

Interested participants can register through the Philippine Surfing Federation at 
zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph or text us at +63 9296721508
(Don Pallugna, Event Coordinator).

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Siargao's 18th International Surfing Cup is finally set from September 23 to 29

The world's top eight surfing destination, Cloud 9, will once again host its annual international event from September 23 to 29.  The Municipality of General Luna and the Philippine Surfing Federation invite all foreign and Filipino surfers to join this year's PSF 18th Siargao International Surfing Cup. 

Entry Fee:  US$20 or Php2,000 per surfer
Total Prizemoney:  US$10,000  

Shortboard Category:   Men's Open

This event is also brought to you by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, Governor Sol Matugas, Congressman Francisco Matugas, Municipality of General Luna and Philippine Surfing Federation in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism,  San Miguel Corporation, Cloud Nine Boardriders-The Philippine Pipeline, Fluid Surf, and My Life on Board. 

Special Event:

Siargao National Women's Beach Volleyball Open
September 24-28, 2012
Entry Fee: Php500 per team

Interested participants can register through the Philippine Surfing Federation at zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph or text us at +63 9296721508.

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Surigao del Sur hosts Lanuza Surfing Festival 2012

The Municipality of Lanuza and the Philippine Surfing Federation invite all foreign and Filipino surfers to join this year's Lanuza Surfing Festival, which will be held from November 12 to 17 in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

Entry Fee:  Php500/surfer
Total Prizemoney: Php300,000 or US$6,500  

Categories:

1. Short Board:

Men's Open: 18 years old and above

Junior Division: 15 to 21 years old

Women's Open

2. Longboard

Men's Open: 18 years old and above


Women's Open


Interested participants can register through the Philippine Surfing Federation at zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph or text us at +63 9296721508.


This year's surfing festival is also brought to you by the Department of Tourism, Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Sur's Congressman Philip Pichay, Sr. and San Miguel Corporation.

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A dozen reasons to be in Del Carmen for the Bakhaw Festival 2012

1. July 16: 377 Fiesta Celebration 

2. July 17: Thanksgiving Mass and Fluvial Parade

3. July 16: Bakhaw Festival 2012 Dance Competition

4. July 15: Championships - Bakhaw Festival Open Basketball and 1st Siargao InterHS Sepak Takraw Competition

5. July 15: Del Carmen Singing Idol

6. July 14: 1st Del Carmen Health Summit and Bakhaw Food Festival

7. July 14: GSK / DZRH / PHAP Medical Mission 

8. July 14: Opening Parade and Blessing of various Buildings and Roads

9. July 13-16: Visit of Ms Earth to Del Carmen

10. July 5-17: Visit of New York University to Del Carmen

11. July 11-17: Nightly Parties at Tourism Square

12. July 7-17: A time to visit friends and families

Article Source: Municipality of Del Carmen

Photo Source: Municipality of Del Carmen

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Siargao 18th International Surfing Cup

Siargao 18th International Surfing Cup

Date: September 23-27, 2012

Venue: Cloud 9, Gen. Luna, Siargao Island, Philippines 

The 18th Siargao International Surfing Cup is set on September 23 to 27, 2012 with a total prize money of US$10,000. 

This is a men's open event for both junior and open divisions. 

The entry fee is U$20.

For more information, email Zeny at zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph


Source: Siargao Tourism 

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Miss EARTH International 2011 will be joining Bakhaw Festival 2012

Miss EARTH International 2011 will be joining Bakhaw Festival 2012 to celebrate the benefits we have been getting from the Mangrove Forest of Del Carmen. We are very grateful to USAID-CENERGY with Ms Diwata Paredes supporting the initiative. Ms Earth winners will be doing reading sessions with children, joining the Bakhaw Food Festival and Health Summit, and other festival activities. Del Carmen now attracting even the most beautiful ladies to help us protect our environment. Let us do also our part for our own future. Mabuhay ang Bakhaw! Mabuhay ang Del Carmen!

This is the proposed rehabilitation program for the Coral Reefs of Del Carmen. We are working with the provincial government and possible donors for the said activity. On top of this, we have to also remove the crown of thorns that are now inhabiting the waters of Del Carmen and eating the corals. We hope to launch the Coral Reef Program soon. Let us all work together in ensuring our seas and corals are healthy for a sustainable food supply to our communities.

source: www.wowsurigao.com

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Siargao's woman surfer crowned Quiksilver Open West Java champ

Siargao's local surfer, Nilvie Blancada (yellow jersey) show-off her prize money of Rp.2.5 million and trophy during the awarding rites of the  Quiksilver Open West Java - Women's Division (Photo Courtesy: Rico R.). 

June 19, 2012 --- A local girl from the world’s famous Cloud Nine break in Siargao Island (Philippines), Nilvie Blancada, has taken first place in the Quiksilver Open West Java’s Women’s Division, at Cimaja Beach in Indonesia, defeating Australia (Aysia Doig), Taiwan (Jessie Hong) and Indonesia (Iis Trisnawati) surfers last June 17, 2012.

Blancada, who was recently crowned in the Roxy Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup, charged the Cimaja waves, big or small, without a hint of hesitation, clearly dominating each heat in the finals. “I’m so happy to win, and happy to be here in Indonesia to surf. It’s the first time I’ve been out of the Philippines so it’s a little different for me, but it’s nice to be here and meet new people, and surf Indonesia waves,” she said.

Nilvie Blancada poses with La Union's Luke Landrigan, who  got second place in the
 Longboard  Division of  Quiksilver Open West Java.

Meanwhile, in the Longboard Division final it was another repeat win for Java’s Arip “Mencos” Hidayat, whose mastery of the longboard is almost legendary. He quickly combo’d the rest of the field by racking up high scores of 9.25 and 8.75, with the Philippines Luke Landrigan giving chase but settling for second spot. Arip is also the reigning 2011 Coca-Cola ISC Longboard Champion.

The Quiksilver Open West Java was blessed with near perfect weather and surfing conditions during the four days of competition, with 3-4 foot waves consistently rolling in and making for an easy job for Contest Director Tipi Jabrik, who is also Quiksilver Indonesia’s Sports Marketing Manager and the Coca-Cola ISC’s President.

The 6-star professional surfing competition with total prize money of almost Rp 70,000,000 (USD 7,500) took place from June 14-17, 2012. It attracted South East Asia’s top pro surfers in search of great waves, big prize money, and valuable championship points for both the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship and the Asian Surfing Championship tours. The four-day event include Pro, Masters, Women’s  and Longboard divisions.

Quiksilver Open West Java Competition Results:

Open Division

1. Lee Wilson (Bali)
2. Mustofa Jeksen (Bali)
Equal 3rd: Pepen Hendrik (Bali) and Putra Hermawan (Bali)

Women’s Division

1. Nilbie (Nilvie) Blancada (Philippines)2. Aysia Doig (Australia)
3. Jessie Hong (Taiwan)
4. Iis Trisnawati (Java)

Longboard Division

1.    Arif "Mencos) Hidayat (Java)

2.    Luke Landrigan (Philippines)

3.    Teiki Balian (France)

4.    Gilang (Java)

Masters Division

1. Sujari (Java)
2. Ketut Juliarta (Bali)
3. Made Lapur (Bali)
4. Edin (Java)

The Quiksilver Open West Java was sanctioned by the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championships and the Asian Surfing Championships.

Check out Quiksilver Open West Java 2012 on-line at www.isctour.com/events/quikwestjava and on Facebook at both ISC and Quiksilver Indonesia for all the heat scores and results during each day’s competition.

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Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley Live Viewing @ Del Carmen

Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley on live uninterrupted free public viewing at the Del Carmen Municipal Gym on June 10, 2012 from 9am. We are grateful to our sponsors for making this first time event realized: Cygnal Satellites, Atty. Ted Mosquito and Mrs. Judy M. Cubillan. Through the effort of Del Carmen Municipal Mayor JR Coro. Come on and bring your family to enjoy this day with the community. Mabuhay si Manny Pacquiao! 

Mabuhay ang Del Carmen!

Source: Municipality of Del Carmen

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Philippine Surfing Federation announces 2012 events

Kenya nationals joined the inaugural event of Siargao Adventure Race in the municipality of Santa Monica last October 4-6, 2011. This was through the initiative of Congressman Francisco Matugas, Governor Sol Matugas and Mayor Dattie Penera in cooperation with the Philippine Surfing Federation or PSF. The local government and PSF are now preparing for the 2nd Siargao Adventure Race, which will be held from October 20 to 22, 2012 with a total prizemoney of Php100,000. Adventure racers all over the globe are invited to join the race.  

SAVE THE DATE AND REGISTER NOW!

(email us: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph)

Upcoming sporting events:

August (First Week): CLOUD 9 MASTER
             Venue: Cloud 9, General Luna, Siargao Island

September 23-27:  QUIKSILVER 18TH SIARGAO INT'L SURFING CUP
             Venue: Cloud 9, General Luna, Siargao Island
             Total Prizemoney: US$10,000
             Entry Fee:  US$2,000/participant

October 5 to 7:    2ND SIARGAO ADVENTURE RACE
             Venue:  Santa Monica, Siargao Island
             Total Prizemoney: Php100,000
             Entry Fee: Php1000/Team (2 persons per team)              

September 21-28: Billabong Pro Junior Asia (Deferred)
             Venue: Cloud 9, General Luna, Siargao Island

Billabong Pro Junior Asia at Cloud 9 in General Luna

Siargao International Surfing Cup held on September 29 to October 3 at Cloud 9.

Billabong Pro Junior Asia (5 Star rated event) held on September 21-28, 2011

Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament held on April 27-30, 2012

Roxy Siargao International Women's Cup held on May 1-4, 2012

 OTHER EVENTS ORGANIZED BY PSF:

November 12-17 : LANUZA SURFING FESTIVAL
               Venue: Lanuza, Surigao del Sur
               Total Prizemoney: US$10,000
               Shortboard and Longboard/Men and Women

December 6 to 9 (to be confirmed): Ilocos SurFING CROWN
               Venue: Kiddo's Point, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur

April 11-15, 2013: 6th SIARGAO INTERNATIONAL GAME FISHING TOURNAMENT
               Venue: Pilar, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte

For more information, please email us at: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph

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Singaporean and Canadian anglers catch the biggest billfish in Siargao's 2012 Game Fishing tournament

Pilar Mayor Lucio Gonzales poses with the tourism officers and  winners
 of the 5th Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament.
(L-R) Filipino  angler Mel Dilag, Siargao Tourism Coordinator Donna Tiu,
Tournament Organizer Zeny Pallugna, Tourism Director Letty Tan,
Mayor Lucio Gonzales,  Russian angler Yuri Saminsky,
Tournament Director Atty. Gordon Uy, Spanish angler Morales,
Canadian angler Richard Sharpe and Hungarian angler Paul de Ruiter. 
(L-R/Seated) American angler Noli Manas, Swedish angler Daniel Hogberg,
Singaporian angler Roger Sarmiento and Filipino angler Robert Salahug. 
(Photo by: Jay Directo)

General Luna, Siargao Island ---  Anglers from Singapore and Canada, Roger Sarmiento and Richard Sharpe (respectively), caught the biggest billfish for both main and open categories  in the recently concluded 5th Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament  that was held in the Municipality of Pilar in Siargao Island.

During the three-day tournament (April 27 to 30, 2012), Richard Sharpe caught a 45.5 kg billfish (open boat category) while Roger Sarmiento got 31.50kg billfish (main category).

Noli Manas, an American angler who was determined to catch a Dorado fish (14.20 kg), garnered the first place in the Biggest Dorado category.

Photo by: Jay Directo

Of the fourty-six anglers from Japan, United States of America, Singapore, Sweden, Hungary, Philippines, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain and Russia who  joined in the tournament, ten of them won in the following categories and they received trophies and total cash prizes of P350,000 or approximately US$8,000.

Biggest Billfish Category

a. Main Category:
    First Placer      -   Roger Sarmiento (Singapore) - 31.50 kg
    Second Placer  -   Daniel Hogberg (Sweden) - 26.55 kg
    Third Placer     -   Yuri Saminsky (Russia)   - 25.8kg

b. Open Boat Category: Dave Sharpe (Canada)  - 45.5 kg

Biggest Wahoo/Tanguige

a. Main Category:
    First Placer     -  Yuri Saminsky (Russia) - 9.95 kg
    Second Placer -  Paul de Ruiter (Hungary) - 5.5 kg

b. Open Boat Category: Mike Kennedy (United States of America) - 5.20 kg

Biggest Dorado:  Noli Manas (United States of America) - 14.20 kg

Biggest Total Catch per Boat

a. Main Category:  Noli Manas (United States of America)  - 14.20 kg

b. Open Boat Category:
    First Placer     -  Carlos Morales (Spain)  - 55.90 kg
    Second Placer -  Mike Kennedy (United States of America) - 49.10 kg

Biggest Others Individual Catch for Main and Open Boat Categories

First Placer       -  Robert Salahug (Philippines)  - 9.9 kg
Second Placer   -  Mel Dilag (Philippines) - 5.5 kg

Liplipan Cooking Contest and Food Demo with Chef Eric Rusillon and resident Chef of  Kawili Resorts,  Pinoy Games or Laro ng Lahi, Bikini Fashion Show and nightly live band with San Miguel Corporation were also held to make the event more festive and encourage local community involvement. 

This event was brought to you by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, Office of the Congressman for the First District of Surigao del Norte, Municipality of Pilar and Philippine Surfing Federation in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, San Miguel Corporation, Team Nonino and Nature Spring.

For more information, email us at zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph or visit our website at http://www.siargaogamefishing.com/.

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Philippines' surfer wins Roxy Siargao Int’l Surfing Cup title

A local surfer from Siargao Island Nilve Blanca grabbed the Roxy Siargao International Surfing Cup
title held at Cloud 9 on Siargao Island from May 1 to 4, 2012. 

General Luna, Siargao Island (May 3, 2012) --- A professional 19-year old local surfer from Siargao Island, Nilve Blanca, took out the crown of the inaugural Asian Surfing Championship event held in the Philippines and the first event to receive the top Ultima rating for its Php300,000 (approximately US$7,000) prize purse in the only all women surfing cup in Asia, dubbed as Roxy Siargao International Surfing Cup. 

A surf photographer/writer, Tim Hain, quoted that "Blancada has only been surfing for four years and was an obvious standout throughout the entire competition, during the final patiently waiting out the back for the best-shaped waves and then putting together great combinations of maneuvers.  Wooldridge was also impressive on her backhand, throwing up big turns and going deep trying to score a barrel ride, but failed to find the wave that would allow her the high score with to overtake Blancada."

“I’m so happy, so really happy” gushed the excited Blancada back in the tower surrounded by her admiring friends and spectators.  “I was so nervous out there, as I’ve never really surfed with just one other surfer in the water.  But it was good because I knew I just had to find the good waves.  So that’s what I tried to do.”

When asked what she was going to do with her winnings, she replied, “I’m going to buy a motorbike!  Then I’m going to share the other money with my family.”  Blancada comes from a family with 10 children, and says she learned to surf from her sister Nildie and brother Nickie.

Kim Wooldridge was smiling and happy as well, saying, “This was so much fun, much different that when I was competing on the world tour.  Back then when I would put on the contest jersey I would feel the pressure and have to force myself to try and relax.  Here it was so different, I was able to just go out there and have fun.  I’m so happy for Nilbie, she has a great style and was ripping out there, and for her to win here is awesome!”

The finalists competing for the championship in today’s final leg (May 3)  include contestants from Germany, the United States, Switzerland, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, England, and the Philippines. Manet Alcala of Siargao Island got equal third with Roxy's top rider Philippa Anderson of Australia. 

Meanwhile, the local government here prepared a big and momentous closing ceremony on May 9, 2012 – intended to honor and entertain the participating women surfers from the various parts of the world, including foreign and local tourists.  Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority General Manager Mark Lapid and actor Philip Salvador are expected to grace the occasion. 

A cultural show and sumptuous dinner are also prepared by the local government here for the participants and visitors.

The Roxy Siargao International  Surfing Cup is the biggest surfing event in the Philippines that is held here every year and the only all-women surfing competition in Asia, local officials said.

While the women’s surfing competition concluded today, the three-day 2012 Women’s Beach Volleyball Open will immediately start, while the 14th National Surfing Cup will take place from May 5 to 9, here at the “Cloud 9,” said General Luna Mayor Jaime Plaza Rusillon.

Various events are also sponsored by Surigao del Norte Representatives Francisco “Lalo” T. Matugas and Guillermo “Jun” A. Romarate Jr., and Governor Sol F. Matugas.  The highlight of this year’s summer event in Siargao Island is the all-Filipino celebrity exhibition games to be held in the town of Dapa on the eve of May 9.  Philip Salvador, Joko Diaz, Onyok Velasco, Carlos Morales, Marco Alcaraz, Emilio Garcia, Joseph Bitangcol, EJ Fiehl and Bong Hawkins are the featured celebrities.

The Roxy Siargao International Surfing Cup is presented by the Philippine Surfing Federation and the Municipality of General Luna, held from May 1 to 4, 2012,   was in partnership with the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, House of the Representatives for the First District of Surigao del Norte, Department of Tourism, Tourism Infrastruction and Enterprise Zone Authority, and Asian Surfing Championship. Other sponsors include San Miguel Corporations and Smart Communications, Primer Group of Companies, Rockstar Energy Drink, Nature Spring, Philex Mining Corporation and Thirty Six-O Media. 

Roxy Siargao International Surfing Cup Results: 

Champion: Nilve Blancada (Philippines) $2,500 USD (PHP 120,000)
1st Runner-up:  Kim Wooldridge (Australia) $1,500 USD (PHP 60,000)
Equal 3rd:         

3.  Manette Alcala (Philippines) $750 USD (PHP 30,000)
3.  Philippa Anderson (Australia) $750 USD (PHP 30,000) 

For more information, email us at zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph.

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