PitPit Alipayo nabs Billabong Grommet title in Philippines

Billabong Grom Comp Philippines

San Juan town, La Union Province
16 - 18 December 2009

PitPit Alipayo captures Philippine top grom title at the 2009 Billabong Grommet Competition in La Union

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 December, 2009 : - La Union, Philippines -- Under consistent 3-4 foot sets rolling into the Mona Lisa Point in La Union, 16-year old Siargao Island local boy PitPit Alipayo threw together an impressive combination of floaters and backside hacks thus successfully recapturing the Philippine top grom title at the 3rd Annual Billabong Grommet Competition, a surf tournament he won two years ago on its inaugural year.

It was an all-star final as PitPit faced off with cousin Paul John Alipayo, defending champion Jay-R Esquivel of La Union, and Lanuza ace Azur Laudes, assuring the spectators and surf fans an exciting finale. At the end of the day, it was PitPit’s tactical composition of floaters landed with precision connecting into spraying backside cutbacks that won him the distinction of being the country’s finest young surfer.

“I really remembered Head Judge Marco Villareal’s briefing before we paddled out for the final,” says PitPit Alipayo, “he reminded us that the judges were looking at speed, control, power, manoeuvres, and combos. So I knew I had to focus on that, especially the combos! Also, when I found out that the winner would get to go to Occy’s Billabong Grom Comp in Malaysia (January 2010), I was very excited to win, especially cause it’s my last year as a grom!”

All the groms were stoked with the awesome conditions the final day had to offer. “Man, I was really feeling so positive and just this happiness that I can’t explain just being in the water,” exclaims PiPit, “especially when I got that second wave where I nailed the floater in the critical section and landed it just right.” PitPit continues, “ you know, this event Billabong put together is so important for us groms, it’s really a big help for us. It makes us step up! I wanna thank Billabong for giving us this big opportunity every year. I wanna thank my sponsor Aloha boardsports for helping me a lot too.”

It was a tightly fought all goofy-footer final, especially with his cousin Paul John Alipayo drawing loud cheers from the crowd after heaving serious spray with a powerful backside attack. “During the semifinal, the waves seemed better, more glassy, I was able to do more tricks,” reveals Paul John, “but the waves were a little rough during the final. It was windy, and I didn’t make that many attempts. But this was still a great comp, and it’s really cool that Billabong puts this together for us groms!”

The competition had earlier been marred by a flat spell forcing organisers to extend the waiting period a few more days. “The waves just weren’t happening at all,” says Competition Director Luke Landrigan of Billabong Asia’s surf team, “but we weren’t gonna let that stop us. This annual Billabong grom comp is huge for the kids. It’s their one chance every year to show their stuff. So we knew we had to make it happen.” Luke laughs, “most exciting of all, PitPit gets to show Occy his sweet smile in Malaysia.”

“It was definitely worth the extension,” Luke continues, “with solid conditions on the final day, the groms put on an awesome show for all of us. I bet they can even win the men’s open comp,” Luke beams with pride.

“Luke came up with the idea of an annual grom comp for the Philippines, and what a great tradition it’s been, “ says JV Borromeo, Stoked Inc President and Billabong’s partner in the Philippines. “From the very first year, we had all out support from Billabong and Peter Thew (Billabong Asia Brand Manager). Luke’s also been amazing with getting the kids together from Siargao, Lanuza, Baler, La Union, Zambales, and all other parts of the country for this annual showdown. It's a big production, a little crazy at times, but well worth it. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event!”

Witnessing the improvement and progression in the young surfers' skills, the future looks bright for Philippine surfing. “The groms really showed a lot of patience and maturity this year with their surfing, especially with the longer waiting period,” says head judge Marco Villareal. “This time we explained clearly how they were to be judged, and exactly what we were looking for. So they showed a lot of technical knowledge and really sick progressive surfing. Above all, we saw some crazy pre-teen kids who attacked this swell with insane tricks. That’s the future and we can't wait to see more of this wicked talent again!”

The 3rd Annual Billabong Grommet Competition is sponsored by: Billabong, Stoked Inc., The Billabong Surf School (La Union), The San Juan Surf Resort, Partas Bus Lines, Lola Nanny’s Surf Resort, The Little Surf Maid, The La Union Surf Club, Fox Clothing, MyPhone Philippines, Loaded Skateboards, Jooshi Surf, Photos by Angel Villanueva, Green Zinc Clean Shores

FINAL RESULTS:
Champion: PitPit Alipayo
2nd Place: Paul John Alipayo
3rd Place: Jay-R Esquivel
4th Place: Azur Laudes

(Globalsurfnews)

Gov’t to award 25 energy deals

AFTER awarding close to a hundred contracts over the last two months, the Department of Energy plans to give another batch of renewable energy contracts within the week to fast-track the development of the sector.
In a phone interview, Assistant Energy Secretary Mario Marasigan said the government’s target was to award a minimum of 25 contracts by Nov. 26. He noted, however, that this figure was still preliminary since some of the applications were still being evaluated.
The final number of contracts to be awarded will be known early this week, he said.
Among the companies being evaluated for a service contract for wind included NorthPoint Wind Power Development Corp. with its proposed project in Aparri, Cagayan; First MaxPower International Corp. for three projects in Cagayan (Claveria, Sanchez Mira, Gonzaga) and one in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, and Northern Luzon UPC Asia Corp. for a 30-MW project in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
The Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. has six applications for its proposed wind power projects in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; Taytay, Palawan; Mahinog, Camiguin, and three in Surigao del Norte (Dinagat Island, Siargao Parcel 1, and Siargao Parcel 2).
However, a government source said that EDC has yet to complete the requirements for five of its applications.
For biomass, three firms are awaiting the approval from the DOE, namely Asea One Power Corp., Biscom Inc. and Hacienda Bioenergy Inc. (Inquirer)

Burgos

.:: History of Burgos ::.


On the Northeastern portion of Siargao Island, facing the vast Pacific Ocean, lies the small town of Burgos, Siargao.

It has six barangays such as Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Baybay, Bitaug, Matin-ao and San Mateo.When the Spaniards came, they lived as a group in Unidad, a Sitio.

Afterwards, it was renamed Barangay Burgos in 1925 during the American regime with the seat of Municipal Government of Numancia now Del Carmen. As Sapao became a district town 1955, Burgos apllied for a township status with the assistance of Congressman Reynaldo Honrado who requested President Diosdado Macapagal to approve it. His Excellency issued Executive Order No. 293, dated November 29, 1965, converting barangay Burgos into a Municipality.

Unfortunately, a Supreme Court injunction was filed by former Senator Emmanuel Pelaez, regarding the 77 newly created towns in the whole country. It terminated as a town on February 17, 1966, lasting only two and a half months.

The dreams and sacrifices of the residents were finally redeemed when President Marcos through the efforts of the dynamic and political kingpin Congressman Constantino H. Navarro Sr., signed into law RA 5093 on July 17, 1967 which created Burgos into a seventh class municipality.

source:1970 Souvenir Program of Philippine Public Schools Inter-scholastic Athletic Association Meet (PPSIAA)

Dapa

.:: History of Dapa ::.

The Municipality of Dapa lies south of Siargao Island. It is 36 nautical miles east of Surigao, the capital of Surigao del Norte. A few nautical miles of the town is the famous Philippine Deep.

The early villages along its seacoast are the barrios of Cambas-ac, Union and Dolores.

Sometime in the early part of the last century of the Spanish regime, Moro piracy was rampant in the Southeast coast of Mindanao. Pirates occasionally swooped down on the coastal village of Siargao Island and left behind them destruction and death. Natives were often taken as captives and slaves.

Due to frequent raids, the villagers abandoned their homes and sought haven in Taghaligui (now Dapa) which was then a lush timberland and protected from the shore with a thick formation of tall mangroves.

From their vantage position, it was then easy for them to run for cover whenever there was an approaching enemy attack. In taking cover, they usually lay prone on the ground (hapa') behind the huge tree trunks.

Thus Dapa, corrupted from the vernacular word hapa, was adopted by the natives as the permanent name of their settlement in lieu of Taghaligui to constantly remind them of those vicious moro raids.

Source:1970 Souvenir Program of Philippine Public Schools Inter-scholastic Athletic Association Meet (PPSIAA)

Del Carmen


.:: History of Del Carmen ::.

Numancia, now Del Carmen, was founded in year 1600, almost a century after Magellan discover the Philippines on March 16, 1521 .The patron saint is the Lady of Carmen and is celebrated every 16th of July. The name Numancia was introduced by the Spanish priest who hailed from Numancia , Spain, which was then a very progressive town in the Andalucian plain.
Numancia was the headquarters of the diocese of Eastern Mindanao from Surigao up to Mati. It is the site of the oldest religious establishment and had for its relics the Spanish built water tank of limestone that is one meter thick.

Another relic that could be found in the place is the watchtower at barrio San Fernando, primarily used for sighting Moro pirates. The town of Numancia was, at the time of San Fernando, the subject of constant raid of the place by the moros causing the religious fathers to flee to Cacob at Dagsungan, not Roxas. The vast plain between barrio Janoyaon and barrio Roxas was the second site of the Municipality of Numancia. But there, transportation of goods was hard. So, the fathers decided to get nearer the present site.

This was the place of the legend about the very powerful bell that was dumped in one of the lakes (vito) at Haoyon now Cancohoy rose. It was said that this bell was made of pure silver and that its sound could be heard even up to Bucas Grande Island, thereby (ironically) inviting the Moro pirates to come and pillage the people using the sound of the bell as their guide. The fathers again decided to transfer to Campohag for expansion and for better security from the Moro.

According to the old folks, the entwining river course of the present townsite discouraged the Moro pirate because they could not locate the town anymore.In 1920, at the assumption of Francisco Alburo as town president, Numancia territory comprised one half of Bucas Grande with the barrios of Pamosaingan, Sta. Cruz and Hinundayan, in Siargao Island. Beginning from Barrio Bitoon as boundary, between Dapa and Numancia, up to barrios Tuburan, Quezon, Langdahan (now Sta. Paz), straight to Binoni Point as boundary between Numancia and Pilar, and all lands extending North of this line now comprising the new municipalities of Sapao, Burgos and San Isidro, were also included.

Source:1970 Souvenir Program of Philippine Public Schools Inter-scholastic Athletic Association Meet (PPSIAA)

Gen. Luna

.:: History of Gen. Luna ::.

The historical Origin of this municipality dates back to the time when it was still a Barrio called Cabuntog. During the early Spanish era this barrio had a church bell that was so big that whenever it was rang, it could be heard as far as the Mindanao mainland. The loud ringing sound often caused more pirates from Mindanao to come to the barrio and raid it.

The inhabitants fearing the repeated depredations of the marauders in the barrio finally decided to throw or drop (buntog) the bell into the Campuhong River. Hence, Cabuntog after the words Campuhong and Buntog.

Although Cabuntog was already a municipality in the Spanish regime, it was during the American Administration that it was formally organized into the municipality of General Luna, its present name. It was inaugurated on August 1, 1929.

Before typhoon "Atring" hit Siargao Island in April 1969. General Luna was the biggest copra producer in the province of Surigao, but after about 50% of its coconut plantation were blown down by the typhoon, its copra production dipped considerably forcing the farmers to plant short-term crops to augment their income.

Pilar


.:: History of Pilar ::.


The Municipality of Pilar was created on October 28, 1953 by an Executive Order. She was formerly a barrio of the municipality of Dapa.

The town is situated at the eastern sea-coast of the island of Siargao on the side of a small gulf directly facing the vast Pacific Ocean, and approxiamtely 200 nautical miles from the Philippine Deep.

She has an ideal seaport where commercial vessels plying from mostly Cebu and the capital town of Surigao could safely dock on either of two concrete wharves.

Source:1970 Souvenir Program of Philippine Public Schools Inter-scholastic Athletic Association Meet (PPSIAA)

San Benito

.:: History of San Benito ::.

It was said that during the Spanish Regime, a group of Jesuit missionaries happed to be assigned at Sapao, now called the Municipality of Sta. Munica. They were fascinated with the vast array of blooming Talisay Tress in the place where the Municipality of San benito presently stands. Theire enachanment made them to name the place "Talisay". After exploring the place and observing the cultural behavior of the people, a chapel was built bearing the relic of Saint Benedict. After a couple of years. Talisay was changed to San benito in honor of Saint Benedict, its patron saint.

San Benito became a civil barrio of Sapao. When Sapao was reverted to a barrio by virtue of an executive order of the Military Governor, San Benito was then ceded to Numancia, now Del Carmen, and became its largest barangay. It was Congressman Constantino C. Navarro, Sr. , who proposed and sponsored a bill for the creation of San Benito as a new municipality. After complying with the formalities and legal requirements, on September 17, 1971, Republic Act No. 6396 came into being creating the Municipality of San Benito. Presently, the town is composed of six (6) barangays, namely: Talisay, Sta. Cruz, Nuevo Campo, san Juan, Bongdo and Maribojoc. The Municipality of San Benito is one of the richest fishing grounds in siargao Island fishing ranked second in terms of source of income of the people.

San Isidro

.:: History of San Isidro ::.

Little is known about the past and present of this municipality. Knowledgeable residents of the place like its municipal officials then were for some unknown reasons unable to provide the publicity committee with even a brief information on its history, its struggle for autonomy, its achievements and progress and its blueprints for development.Except for some bits of information gleaned from the office of the Governor then, not much can be written about San Isidro.

Before the municipality became a separate political subdivision in 1960, it was a part of Numancia. It was said that before the barrio was linked with a road to its mother town where the high school is, only very few succeeded in getting a secondary education.

In those days, the best and shortest way to reach Numancia was to travel on foot through a trail which wound through mountainous ranges and muddy terrain. With the construction of roads later and the opening of more s chools in those towns and barrios, San Isidro has not only filled the need for the adequate education of its inhabitants but has also improved its economic pace.From the scant information gathered, San Isidro was the fourth of the five new municipalities in Siargao to be created. It was categorized 7th class municipality.

Source:1970 Souvenir Program of Philippine Public Schools Inter-scholastic Athletic Association Meet (PPSIAA)

Socorro

.:: History of Socorro ::.

In 1924, Socorro hit the limelight when a band of religious fanatic (colorum) rose in revolt against the government. A band of more than a thousand fanatics led by Francisco Bernales alias Lantayog, with bolos called "linatip," almost completely annihilated a platoon of soldiers sent to Socorro to drain the colorum sacred bathing pool called "tangke".

Only two members of the platoon who were aware of the colorum tactics were left alive. In retaliation, then Governor Pedro Coleto wired a report of the Socorro incident to GOVERNOR Leonard Wood, who sent troops under general Bowers, which in turn mercilessly shelled Socorro, where many of the colorums perished.

The survivors continued their plan to saeize the municipal and provincial governments of Surigao town. They are surprised and annihilated by constabulary forces in Tubod where now lies a common grave of sixty-four colorums. This was sufficient to disband the fanatic society.

When peace was restored its people continued to toil and apparently lived happily under a communal system of life.

The Island where Socorro is found belongs to Parcel IV of the Mineral Reservation. In 1960 Socorro became a separate entity from the mother municipality of Dapa. The grace, vibrancy and community sprit of its people continued to this day.

source:1970 Souvenir Program of Philippine Public Schools Inter-scholastic Athletic Association Meet (PPSIAA)

Sta. Monica

.:: History of Sta. Monica ::.

Sta. Monica is a 5th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 7,757 people in 1,459 households.

Santa Monica is politically subdivided into 11 barangays. Abad Santos, Alegria, Bailan, Garcia , Libertad, Mabini, Mabuhay (Pob.), Magsaysay, Rizal, T. Arlan (Pob.), Tangbo. 
 
 

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Siargao is composed of 48 islands and islets-politically divided into nine municipalities: Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, Gen. luna, Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro, Santa Monica, and Socorro. Read more...

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