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/.