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!”
“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:
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)
3. Philippa Anderson (Australia) $750 USD (PHP 30,000)
For more information, email us at zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph.
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