Philippines announces underwater shootout festival on December 4 to 8


Manila, Philippines  -- The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) in cooperation with members of  the Underwater Macro Photographers Group (UWMP) will launch its first ever international underwater (UW) shootout in Anilao, a quiet seaside community in Batangas two hours away South of Manila, from December 4 to 8 this year.

The PDOT is setting its sights on promoting the Philippines as a premier UW macro photography destination in Asia and enticing more foreign UW photographers to engage their hobby in the Philippines through the holding of this event in Anilao,  “one of the best places for underwater photography in the world”, according to Christian Vizl, a multi-award winning underwater photographer.  

This joint project, entitled “Anilao Underwater Photo Competition Festival”, is open to both foreign and local UW photographers and fun divers for an entry fee of Php1000 or US$20 per participant inclusive of a 4-day dive pass, an event shirt and invitation to hosted welcome and farewell dinners with cultural entertainment.   

Winners will receive a minimum total of US$10,000 worth of valuable prizes including dive trips to the country’s best dive sites in Cebu, Bohol and Anilao through the support of Tourism Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Prestige Sport Malaysia, Cebu Pacific Airlines and other partner dive resorts in the Philippines. Contest mechanics can be viewed at www.acaciadive.com or by request through email at phdiveteam@gmail.com.

Simultaneous with the underwater macro photography contest, fun dives will also be organized for dive fanatics, as well as the conduct of seminars on “Dive Photography” during the festival. World renowned UW photographers (i.e., Koji Nakamura, President of Japan Underwater Films;    Yorko Summer, dive travel journalist;   Christian Vizl, current world champion in underwater photography; Ken Thongpila, multi-award winning underwater photographer and founder of Underwater Macro Photographers Club; and Michael Aw, one of the world’s most influential nature photographers) will grace the festival as board of judges and seminar speakers.

Divers can sign up and book their local travel arrangements for this international UW shootout at phdiveteam@gmail.com. Interested divers can also register at https://www.regonline.com/anilaounderwateruwphotocompetitionfestival  or visit the event facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Anilaouwphotocompetitionbydot.  PDOT partner resorts in Anilao are also offering special dive promo packages of as low as US$499 for a 4 nights/5 days dive package inclusive of 6 boat dives, fullboard meals, accommodation (twin sharing arrangement), air tanks and dive master.  

All the participating divers will surely say “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” with the opportunity to win fantastic prizes from local sponsors during the awarding ceremony on December 8 at seven o’clock in the evening at Acacia Resort and Dive Center and to be entertained with cultural dances, live band and treated to delectable cuisine.        

Siargao locals post highest scores in pumping Cloud Nine perfection


Siargao Locals Post Highest Scores in Pumping Cloud Nine Perfection and Top Seed Raditya Rondi Eliminated on Day One of the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup
(by: Tim Hain)


Carlito Nogalo
This is link for Siargao Event Minisite, http://www.asiansurfingtour.com/events/siargao

you check all news, photos, videos, and result here.



24 September 2013, Siargao Island-Philippines:  Living up to its reputation as one of the world’s best righthand barreling waves, Cloud 9 delivered solid 5-6 foot perfection today to start the ASC 6 star Men’s Open Division of the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup, with the Siargao locals showing off their tube riding virtuosity by posting the day’s highest scores and on the way eliminating the ASC’s number one ranked surfer, Raditya Rondi from Indonesia.

At least six surfboards and as many legropes fell victim to the crushing forces of Cloud 9 today, a wave that many compare to the famous Backdoor of Hawaii’s North Shore Pipeline. 

Rounds One and Two, as well as two heats of Round 3 were completed today before competition was called off due to the afternoon low tide.

Round One got underway just after 6:00 am this morning, with 32 of the 48 competitors in hot pursuit of a heat win, which would propel them directly into a Round 3 berth where they would meet up with the ASC’s highest ranked surfers and the four finalists from last week’s Siargao Cup Nationals competition. 

The first highlight of Round One was Siargao local Carlito Nogalo putting on an impressive display of competitive surfing during his 20 minute heat, posting 7.67 and 8.17 scores on his best two waves to earn the praise of ASC Head Judge Mark “Boonga” Clift, who from the microphone told the other competitors, “Here is a surfer who knows how get points from the judges.  With great combinations of aggressive but smooth maneuvers all under control, this is how you earn points and win heats!” His final combined two wave heat score was 15.83 points out of a possible 20.

15 year old Marama Tokong put that advice to work in the very next heat, dropping in behind the peak in triple overhead waves to score barrel rides of 7.50 and then a whopping 9.17 to easily win his heat with a total score of 16.67.  His presence, lack of hesitation, and relaxed form in the barrel is nothing short of amazing for a kid this young with no formal coaching and training.

The Alipayo name is synonymous with inspired surfing here on the island of Siargao, and today it was cemented to allow no room for doubt.  Heat 6 of Round One saw Philmar Alipayo post 8.0 and 7.27 point scores to win his heat with 15.27 points, and in Heat 7 it was a battle between Paul John Alipayo and Pete Pete Alipayo for the win, with Paul John besting Pete Pete by just 1.43 points. 

Paul John on his backhand posted the day’s highest single wave score of 9.8 points out of a possible 10, an almost perfect wave score for a super deep barrel where he was actually surfing behind the foam ball in the middle section of the wave before getting spit out the end section.  His final point tally was 17.47 points, the highest heat score of the day.

And though Pete Pete was relegated to second spot with his worthy heat score of 16.03 points, he made the most of his Round 2 opportunity by scoring first a 6.83 and then a massive 9.5 to finish with a 16.33 point total, far head of his closest competitor who only managed a total of 6.6 points!  Remarkable consistency in his heats scores, both being in the 16 point range.

Special for this event in order to give the non-seeded surfers the opportunity to surf twice during the competition, the heat winners from Round 1 advanced directly into Round 3, and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers competed again in Round 2, where again only the 1st place finisher advance into Round 3.

The Round Two highlight was Siargao local Donesio “Dodo” Espijon winning his heat and ticket into Round 3 by getting deep backside barrel rides, posting first an 8.0 and then an 8.83 for a total heat score of 16.83.

In the first heat of Round 3, it was local Mark Cannon winning the heat and Osot Alcala coming in second to eliminate current ASC number one seed and two time ASC Open Champion Raditya Rondi.

In the final heat of the day, Heat 2 of Round 3, Indonesian Pepen Hendrik from Bali won his heat despite having sustained a significant injury in an early morning warmup session, hitting the reef with his face and puncturing his lower lip and chin, requiring stitches.  “I guess I was too relaxed and maybe still half asleep this morning,” said Hendrik.  “I just saw there was great waves so I didn’t stretch or anything, just paddled right out.  I was kind of lazy paddling for that first wave and it just slipped out from under me.  I hit the reef for just a second and then it sucked me up and I was almost standing up in waist deep water with blood pouring from my chin.  It happened really fast. It was hard out there as my chin and lip still hurt, but I want to keep surfing so I had to try to win,” he explained.

According to tomorrow’s swell forecast the current swell is predicted to be even larger than today and then peaking on Thursday morning, we should see more exciting action and the finish of the Men’s Open on Thursday. Women’s action will commence once the swell conditions are suitable, possibly as soon as Friday but most likely on Saturday.

Round 3 action is scheduled to resume tomorrow with a 6:30 am start, so look for Asia’s best surfers to put on quite a show in the pumping Cloud 9 waves on Siargao Island!

A link to the video clip of today’s action will be included in tomorrow’s press release, or you can check later atwww.asiansurfingtour.com and look up ASC Tour on Facebook.

The 19th Annual Siargao Surfing Cup is sponsored by the Philippines Department of Tourism, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Municipality of General Luna, Cloud 9 Boardriders, Surf Angels, Reef Beach Houses, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Stoked Inc, Fluidsurf, Rip Curl, Siargao Bleu Resort, Nature Spring, Sagana Resort, The Boardwalk, Ocean 101, and DT General Merchandise, with media support by TV 5 and My Life On Board, organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation and sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships.

Dionesio "Dodo" Espijon 


Early morning at Cloud 9

John Mark "Marama" Tokong

John Mark "Marama" Tokong

The perfect Cloud 9

(L-R) Arkipo and Petepete Alipayo

John Paul Alipayo

Philmar Alipayo


Asian Surfing Championships
Tim Hain – Media, Marketing and Communications
Tel:  +628123606674


Philippine Surfing Federation
Zeny Pallugna – Secretary General

Siargao Local Nilbie Blancada Wins 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup Women’s Division Title at Cloud Nine over Her Sister Nildie Rietenbach

28 September 2013, Siargao Island-Philippines:  It was sister-on-sister today at the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup ASC 6 star Women’s Division final here at Cloud 9, where it was older sister Nildie (Blancada) Rietenbach on her backhand up against younger sister Nilbie Blancada on her forehand trading back-to-back barrels in a perfectly scripted end to a dream surfing competition.  

When the horn blew it was 20 year old Nilbie Blancada who will take home the $2,500 USD first place prize money as well as 3,000 ASC championship points towards her race for the 2013 Asian Surfing Championship Women’s Division trophy.  This is her second victory in as many years at her home break, as she was also last year’s Roxy Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup winner, besting Australian ex-pro surfer Kim Wooldridge in her first ever ASC sanctioned women-on-women final.

Both women put on the best show of the entire girls event, as in no other heat and any of the other contestants charged so deep and pulled into any significant barrel rides.  The highlight of the final was when Nilbie pulled into a solid 4 footer and raced down to the double up section to pull in and then fight her way out of the closing end section, then blasted a turn to finish off, earning her 9 points (out of a possible 10) from the judges and the high score of the day.  Older sister Nilbie out the back raised her arms and clapped for her sister when she heard the score, but then proceeded to answer back with a nice little barrel of her own a few moments later.  

ASC Head Judge Mark “Boonga” Clift applauded the action, citing that it was the first heat of the entire women’s event where the women were charging Cloud 9, and that with each of the competitors getting barrels one after the other, this was indeed something special to be witnessing.

Nilbie went on to post another nice barrel ride for 7 points, and right behind her again came Nildie with an amazing backhand barrel riding performance for a well-deserved 8.25 score.  At the buzzer the final scores were only half a point different, with Nilbie winning with a score of 16.00 points for her two best waves, and Nildie scoring 15.50 for her two best waves.  Truly the most exciting women’s final to date on the ASC tour.

At the start of the day Nildie was reportedly ill, so when asked about that she explained, “I got bad sick last night, and so this morning I was really tired.  But little by little I got feeling better.  I kept telling myself I just had to go on, and after getting a few good waves I was ok.”

And about her win, she replied, “I really wanted to win this event, and I think my sister gave me the good waves.  This is the first time I’ve ever surfed in a final with my sister, and it was fun to be out there just the two of us.  It was like a free surf with just us, and that doesn’t happen very often.  I’m so happy to win and to be out there with my sister.”

And what is she going to do with her $2,500 cash prize money?  “I’m going to build a house!” she replied.

And Nildie was just as happy with her sister’s win, saying, “I really wanted my sister to win, and I’m so happy that she did.  I’m getting older and though I still like competing and am still surfing good, there is no pressure on me.  I was so happy when she got that big score, and I didn’t really even want to catch any more waves after that.  But that one came through and said ‘oh no, what should I do?’ but I couldn’t help it, I just had to take it.  I’m so happy that I made it to the final with her, this is the best feeling that I ever had.”
Nildie is the mother of two and runs the Siargao Beach Inn with her husband Rico, but still finds time to surf everyday and has the distinction of being known at the best female surfer in the Philippines for years now.  

The day begin with Nilbie crushing ASC number one ranked Rita Kitazawa from Japan in Semifinal One by a score of 13.50 to 6.55, and Nildie took down 5 time Indonesian Women’s surfing champion Yasnyiar “Bonne” Gea in Semifinal Two by a score of 15.65 to 10.50.

A total of 13 women surfers joined in the event, representing the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, Indonesia, and Greece.

ASC 6-Star Women's Division Final results:

1.  Nilbie Blancada (PHL)
2.  Nildie Rietenbach (PHL)
3.  Yasnyiar “Bonne” Gea (INA)
3.  Rita Kitazawa (JPN)

There will be a video clip of the final available tomorrow, but in the meantime here is the Men’s Final video clip from yesterday:  

Video

Tomorrow evening will be the closing ceremony and prize giving at the nearby town of General Luna starting at 6 pm, so you don’t want to miss that if you are nearby.

For results and other information, check www.asiansurfingtour.com and look up ASC Tour on Facebook.

The 19th Annual Siargao Surfing Cup is sponsored by the Philippines Department of Tourism, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Municipality of General Luna, Cloud 9 Boardriders, Surf Angels, Reef Beach Houses, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Stoked Inc, Fluidsurf, Rip Curl, Siargao Bleu Resort, Nature Spring, Sagana Resort, The Boardwalk, Ocean 101, and DT General Merchandise, with media support by TV 5 and My Life On Board, organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation and sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships.


Asian Surfing Championships
Tim Hain – Media, Marketing and Communications
Tel:  +628123606674
Email: tim.hain@asiansurfingtour.com


Philippine Surfing Federation
Zeny Pallugna – Secretary General
Email: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph

Putra Hermawan Wins the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup at Cloud Nine over Local Barrel Ace Rodolfo “Osot” Alcala

27 September 2013, Siargao Island-Philippines:  In a 30 minute man-on man duel at the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup at Cloud 9 on Siargao Island today, Indonesia’s Putra Hermawan defeated Siargao’s local barrel ace Rodolfo “Osot” Alcala to win the ASC-sanctioned Men’s Open Division and bring home the $5,000 USD winner’s prize as well as 3,000 valuable ASC championship points.

Alcala will receive $2,000 USD for his impressive performance during the competition and the honor of the runner up title.

Both surfers struggled to find open waves in the final, with a swell direction that pinched off the end sections of the majority of the 4-5 foot set waves, but they kept pulling in deep and getting lots of travel time in the barrel to the delight of the crowd on the tower who were mostly cheering for their local favorite, Alcala.

Hermawan, who hails from the tiny Indonesian island of Nusa Lembongan (just a few kilometers off the coast of Bali) and was the 2010 Indonesian Open and Pro Junior champion, found the finals' first open wave and got barreled not once but twice on the same wave to post the final’s highest single wave score, 8.15 out of a possible 10 points.  He went on the add another shorter barrel ride that scored him 4.5 points to end with a final score of 12.65 points out of a possible 20.

Alcala on the other hand, pulled in deep on wave after wave but just couldn’t find the exit, ending the final with mostly 1’s on his score sheet and a final points total of only 2.4.

After the final, Hermawan was asked what his secret was to besting Alcala, who as a reputation as being the area’s best barrel rider, to which he replied, “During the semifinal I got a couple really good waves by lining up with this house on the hill, and so during the final I tried to keep in that position so I’d have a chance at getting the best open waves.  It was a bit slow in the final, so I knew I just had to get a couple of good ones.  And lucky for me I did!”

When asked if at the beginning of the day he thought he would be the winner of the event he responded, “No way, I thought it would be Dede because he was surfing so good or maybe Osot, because he knows the wave so well.”

Runner up Alcala was a bit disappointed at not putting on a better show during the final, citing a bit of nerves. “I knew all those people on the tower were hoping I would win,” he said. “ so I was a bit nervous because I really wanted to do good for both them and me, so I just took off as deep as I could to try and get the really long barrels, but I just didn't get the open ones.  I had really good luck up until the finals, so I'm really happy about that.  To be in the finals against with all these pro surfers in the contest, I guess second is ok.  I have won here before but it’s been a few years, and last contest I only got to the quarterfinals, so I’m happy I got to the finals even if I didn’t win,” he explained.

In the first semifinal of the day Alcala took down Bali’s Mega Semadhi in the final seconds, needing a 3.7 point wave score to overtake Semadhi for the win and getting 4 points for small inside barrel with under a minute remaining.  Final score was Alcala with 13.5 points and Semadhi with 13.15.

In the second semifinal it was a high-scoring and very exciting affair with West Java’s Dede Suryana battling it out with Putra Hermawan.  Suryana jumped out into the lead and appeared to be well on the way to a heat win until Hermawan found two perfect waves, getting barreled twice on both of them, posting scores of first 8.25 and then 9.0 points to take the lead.  Suryana mounted a comeback by posting a 9.0 on his last wave, but it was just short of the 9.85 that he needed to take the win away from Hermawan.

After the Men’s Open final, the Women’s Division competitors got their chance to take on Cloud 9.  The waves were sometimes a bit intimidating for the women, but the standouts were local sisters Nildie (Blancada) Rietenbach and Nilbe Blancada.  Nildie on her back hand was charging deepest and taking on the biggest set waves, posting the sessions highest single wave score of 8.33 and the highest total heat score of 15.33 out of a possible 20.
Tomorrow will see the Women’s semifinals with first ASC Women’s Division number 1 ranked Rina Kitazawa taking on Nilbie Blancada in Semifinal 1, and Nildie Rietenbach is up against 5-time Indonesian Women’s Champion Yasnyiar “Bonne” Gea in Semifinal 2.

The Women’s semifinalists were told to be standing by at 9:00 am tomorrow for a possible 9:30 am start.
The prize presentations are scheduled for Sunday evening in the town of General Luna.

The 19th Annual Siargao Surfing Cup is sponsored by the Philippines Department of Tourism, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Municipality of General Luna, Cloud 9 Boardriders, Surf Angels, Reef Beach Houses, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Stoked Inc, Fluidsurf, Rip Curl, Siargao Bleu Resort, Nature Spring, Sagana Resort, The Boardwalk, Ocean 101, and DT General Merchandise, with media support by TV 5 and My Life On Board, organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation and sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships.


Asian Surfing Championships
Tim Hain – Media, Marketing and Communications
Tel:  +628123606674
Email: tim.hain@asiansurfingtour.com


Philippine Surfing Federation
Zeny Pallugna – Secretary General
Email: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph

Lay Day Called at Cloud Nine on Day Three of the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup Due to Large and Unfavorable Conditions

26 September 2013, Siargao Island-Philippines:  Due to large and unfavorable surf conditions, meaning 6-8 foot bombs detonating continuously on the Cloud 9 reef since sometime last night, a lay day has been called today at the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup.  

After 9:00 am and 1:30 pm standby calls, Contest Director Gerry Degan made the official announcement that there would be no competition today as there are still three days left in the waiting period and the swell conditions are expected to improve tomorrow.  

There were certainly some impressive waves rolling in today, but the swell direction didn’t produce the long barrels that are needed to complete the Men’s Open Division semifinals and finals in the optimum conditions that Cloud 9 is known for.

It’s hoped that overnight the swell will drop and perhaps even take a change in direction that will allow the Men’s Open Division to finish and also give the Women’s Division competitors their shot at some Cloud 9 barrels tomorrow.

The remaining men’s competitors, Mega Semadhi, Osot Alcala, Putra Hermawan, and Dede Suryana, and the 13 women’s competitors were told to be at the tower at 9 am and to be ready to surf.

Here are some more photos from yesterday action, as well as the video clips from Round 3, 4, and the Quarterfinals:







Round 3

Round 4

Quarterfinals

The 19th Annual Siargao Surfing Cup is sponsored by the Philippines Department of Tourism, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Municipality of General Luna, Cloud 9 Boardriders, Surf Angels, Reef Beach Houses, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Stoked Inc, Fluidsurf, Rip Curl, Siargao Bleu Resort, Nature Spring, Sagana Resort, The Boardwalk, Ocean 101, and DT General Merchandise, with media support by TV 5 and My Life On Board, organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation and sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships.


Asian Surfing Championships
Tim Hain – Media, Marketing and Communications
Tel:  +628123606674
Email: tim.hain@asiansurfingtour.com


Philippine Surfing Federation
Zeny Pallugna – Secretary General
Email: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph

Semifinalists Decided in Absolute Barrel Fest and Two Perfect Scores at Cloud Nine on Day Two of the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup

25 September 2013, Siargao Island-Philippines:  In a day full of impressive surfing performances by Asia’s best surfers in nothing short of fantastic barreling Cloud 9, the semifinalists of the ASC Men’s Open Division were decided today at the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup on Siargao Island, Philippines.

The day started at just after 6:30 am with Heat 3 of Round 3 and ended at just before 2:00 pm with Quarterfinal 4 having been completed, setting up tomorrow’s semifinal contestants.  When competition resumes tomorrow it will be Siargao’s Osot Alcala (PH) up against Bali’s Mega Semadhi (INA) in Semifinal One, and Nusa Lembongan’s Putra Hermawan (INA) against West Java’s Dede Suryana (INA) in Semifinal Two.

Dede Suryana topped the list of exciting performances in Heat 8 of Round 4, where he got the first perfect score of the event on his first wave, 10 points out of a possible 10. Suryana took off behind the peak and backdoored a big set wave, disappearing so deep that nobody expected it when he came shooting out the end in a cloud of spray.  He went on to throw away wave scores of 8.15, 7.5, 8.5, and 4.0 before ending the heat with another massive 9.15 point barrel ride to end with combined heat score of 19.15 points out of a possible 20, a nearly perfect heat.

When asked how he got his perfect score and so many good waves during that heat Suryana replied, “This is an insane wave, such a great barrel, and I felt like it was a bit like this one wave up in West Java, but this one is more makeable.  I knew I just needed to pull in on the biggest waves and get barreled, as that’s what gets the most points.  There were so many good waves in that heat, it was amazing!”  Regarding his knack for wave selection, he explained, “I just looked at the shape of the waves and got the good ones, pulling in, pumping, taking the high line, and focused on making it through every one.  I hope tomorrow is just as good, as I want to get more barrels!”  

The sole Filipino surfer making it through to the Semifinals is local Osot Alcala, who Contest Director Gerry Degan is willing to go on record as saying is the best barrel rider on the island, always getting the longest and deepest barrels in every surf session.

Alcala certainly proved that today, posting the day’s only other 10 point wave while eliminating ASC number 2 ranked Garut Widiarta from Bali (INA) in Quarterfinal 1.

Alcala began the heat with a barrel that got him 6.65 points, then took off on a thick lipped beauty that he stayed in an impossibly long time before be ejected into the channel for a perfect 10 points.  He went on to finish with another nice barrel that got him 8.5 points for the second highest combined heat score of the day of 18.5 points.

In his post heat interview with Contest Director Gerry Degan, Alcala was asked what he was thinking after hearing he scored a perfect 10, and he replied with a big smile, “I wasn’t thinking anything.  I just got lucky to get that wave.  But right now I’m thinking I’m really happy!” 

Tomorrow Alcala will be up against Bali’s Mega Semadhi in Semifinal One and with the same luck he had today might just find himself in the finals tomorrow.

At the end of the day Degan was asked to compare today’s waves and action against past events at Cloud Nine and he replied, “I really rate today as good as any we’ve had here, the waves were solid 4-6 foot, guys getting 10’s….it’s not often where guys get 10’s two heats in a row, so how can you get any better surfing conditions than that? I’ve been here for almost every event and it’s as least as good as any of the best ones. I’m super, super happy.”  

When asked about the performance of the local guys against the ASC surfers, Degan replied, “Apart from Osot who made the semifinals, I think they were a somewhat overawed, especially the younger guys.  My prediction was that we’d have two Filipinos and two Indonesian guys in the semifinals, but at least we have one Filipino still in it.  Look, the Indonesian guys are a lot more contest savvy and I think the locals learned a lot, and we still have one guy left so we have every chance to see a Filipino winner tomorrow.”

There were not as many broken boards today as yesterday, but Bali’s Marlon Gerber had the misfortune of first breaking a board in Heat 6 of Round 3, but still winning the heat, then pulling out a fin plug on his backup board in Heat 4, which he also won.  He was finally stopped in Quarterfinal 2 by Mega Semahdi, who in the final minutes found  the 3.7 points he needed to add to his 9.4 point barrel and elimate Gerber, winning by .15 of a point.

There were so many highlights today that it would take 10 pages to describe them all, so we’ll have to let Sean Gilhooley’s next video clip show them too you tomorrow instead. 

Tomorrow's action is scheduled for a 9 am start, and depending upon conditions could see the completion of the Men's Open, or possibly there will be Women's Division competition.

The 19th Annual Siargao Surfing Cup is sponsored by the Philippines Department of Tourism, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Municipality of General Luna, Cloud 9 Boardriders, Surf Angels, Reef Beach Houses, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Stoked Inc, Fluidsurf, Rip Curl, Siargao Bleu Resort, Nature Spring, Sagana Resort, The Boardwalk, Ocean 101, and DT General Merchandise, with media support by TV 5 and My Life On Board, organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation and sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships.


Asian Surfing Championships 
Tim Hain – Media, Marketing and Communications
Tel:  +628123606674
Email: tim.hain@asiansurfingtour.com


Philippine Surfing Federation
Zeny Pallugna – Secretary General
Email: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph

Siargao Locals Post Highest Scores in Pumping Cloud Nine Perfection and Top Seed Raditya Rondi Eliminated on Day One of the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup

24 September 2013, Siargao Island-Philippines:  Living up to its reputation as one of the world’s best righthand barreling waves, Cloud 9 delivered solid 5-6 foot perfection today to start the ASC 6 star Men’s Open Division of the 19th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup, with the Siargao locals showing off their tube riding virtuosity by posting the day’s highest scores and on the way eliminating the ASC’s number one ranked surfer, Raditya Rondi from Indonesia.

At least six surfboards and as many legropes fell victim to the crushing forces of Cloud 9 today, a wave that many compare to the famous Backdoor of Hawaii’s North Shore Pipeline.  

Rounds One and Two, as well as two heats of Round 3 were completed today before competition was called off due to the afternoon low tide.

Round One got underway just after 6:00 am this morning, with 32 of the 48 competitors in hot pursuit of a heat win, which would propel them directly into a Round 3 berth where they would meet up with the ASC’s highest ranked surfers and the four finalists from last week’s Siargao Cup Nationals competition.  

The first highlight of Round One was Siargao local Carlito Nogalo putting on an impressive display of competitive surfing during his 20 minute heat, posting 7.67 and 8.17 scores on his best two waves to earn the praise of ASC Head Judge Mark “Boonga” Clift, who from the microphone told the other competitors, “Here is a surfer who knows how get points from the judges.  With great combinations of aggressive but smooth maneuvers all under control, this is how you earn points and win heats!” His final combined two wave heat score was 15.83 points out of a possible 20.

15 year old Marama Tokong put that advice to work in the very next heat, dropping in behind the peak in triple overhead waves to score barrel rides of 7.50 and then a whopping 9.17 to easily win his heat with a total score of 16.67.  His presence, lack of hesitation, and relaxed form in the barrel is nothing short of amazing for a kid this young with no formal coaching and training.

The Alipayo name is synonymous with inspired surfing here on the island of Siargao, and today it was cemented to allow no room for doubt.  Heat 6 of Round One saw Philmar Alipayo post 8.0 and 7.27 point scores to win his heat with 15.27 points, and in Heat 7 it was a battle between Paul John Alipayo and Pete Pete Alipayo for the win, with Paul John besting Pete Pete by just 1.43 points.  

Paul John on his backhand posted the day’s highest single wave score of 9.8 points out of a possible 10, an almost perfect wave score for a super deep barrel where he was actually surfing behind the foam ball in the middle section of the wave before getting spit out the end section.  His final point tally was 17.47 points, the highest heat score of the day.

And though Pete Pete was relegated to second spot with his worthy heat score of 16.03 points, he made the most of his Round 2 opportunity by scoring first a 6.83 and then a massive 9.5 to finish with a 16.33 point total, far head of his closest competitor who only managed a total of 6.6 points!  Remarkable consistency in his heats scores, both being in the 16 point range.

Special for this event in order to give the non-seeded surfers the opportunity to surf twice during the competition, the heat winners from Round 1 advanced directly into Round 3, and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers competed again in Round 2, where again only the 1st place finisher advance into Round 3. 

The Round Two highlight was Siargao local Donesio “Dodo” Espijon winning his heat and ticket into Round 3 by getting deep backside barrel rides, posting first an 8.0 and then an 8.83 for a total heat score of 16.83.

In the first heat of Round 3, it was local Mark Cannon winning the heat and Osot Alcala coming in second to eliminate current ASC number one seed and two time ASC Open Champion Raditya Rondi.

In the final heat of the day, Heat 2 of Round 3, Indonesian Pepen Hendrik from Bali won his heat despite having sustained a significant injury in an early morning warmup session, hitting the reef with his face and puncturing his lower lip and chin, requiring stitches.  “I guess I was too relaxed and maybe still half asleep this morning,” said Hendrik.  “I just saw there was great waves so I didn’t stretch or anything, just paddled right out.  I was kind of lazy paddling for that first wave and it just slipped out from under me.  I hit the reef for just a second and then it sucked me up and I was almost standing up in waist deep water with blood pouring from my chin.  It happened really fast.  It was hard out there as my chin and lip still hurt, but I want to keep surfing so I had to try to win,” he explained.

According to tomorrow’s swell forecast the current swell is predicted to be even larger than today and then peaking on Thursday morning, we should see more exciting action and the finish of the Men’s Open on Thursday.  Women’s action will commence once the swell conditions are suitable, possibly as soon as Friday but most likely on Saturday.

Round 3 action is scheduled to resume tomorrow with a 6:30 am start, so look for Asia’s best surfers to put on quite a show in the pumping Cloud 9 waves on Siargao Island! 

A link to the video clip of today’s action will be included in tomorrow’s press release, or you can check later at www.asiansurfingtour.com and look up ASC Tour on Facebook.

The 19th Annual Siargao Surfing Cup is sponsored by the Philippines Department of Tourism, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Municipality of General Luna, Cloud 9 Boardriders, Surf Angels, Reef Beach Houses, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Stoked Inc, Fluidsurf, Rip Curl, Siargao Bleu Resort, Nature Spring, Sagana Resort, The Boardwalk, Ocean 101, and DT General Merchandise, with media support by TV 5 and My Life On Board, organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation and sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships.


Asian Surfing Championships
Tim Hain – Media, Marketing and Communications
Tel:  +628123606674
Email: tim.hain@asiansurfingtour.com


Philippine Surfing Federation
Zeny Pallugna – Secretary General
Email: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph

The 19th Annual Siargao Surfing Cup at Cloud 9 Officially Opened Today – Solid Swell on Top for Tomorrow’s Start

23 September 2013, Siargao Island – Philippines:  The 19th Annual Siargao Surfing Cup was officially opened today with the ceremonial breaking of a surfboard by the Hon. Benito C. Bengzon Jr, the Hon. Francisco T. Matugas, the Hon. Sol. F. Matuga, and Mayor Jaime P. Rusillon after speeches, singing and dancing, and the introduction of the local and international competitors who will be surfing in the event starting tomorrow morning.

With a swell forecast calling for solid 3-6 foot surf over at least the next three days, its expected that both the surfers and the spectators will be treated to some of the best tube riding in the world at the Philippines most renowned surfing destination.  Recently rated in the top 10 of the world’s best surfing waves, Cloud 9 is truly a dream wave, with powerful and hollow waves formed as the deep Pacific Ocean swells impact the coral reef in front of the scenic seaside town with hits iconic walkway and wooden observation tower.

48 men from 11 different countries including the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Israel, Russia, France, Holland, Hawaii will be competing in the ASC 6 star rated Men’s Open Division that has a total prize purse of $10,000 USD in prize money on offer, with $5,000 going to the winner.

The Asian Surfing Championships top ranked surfers that will be competing in the event are 2012-13 Asian Surfing Champion ASC) and 2012 Indonesian Surfing Champion (ISC) Raditya Rondi from Bali, 2011 ISC Champion Marlon Gerber (Bali), 2010 ISC Open and Pro Junior Champion Putra Hermawan, as well as Garut Widiarta, Pepen Hendrik, Dede Suryana, and Mega Semadhi, as well as local previous event winners Piso Alcala, Carlito Nogala, Dave Reardon Smith and others.

12 women from the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, and Japan will battle it out for the $5,000 prize purse in the ASC 6 star rated Women’s Division, with $2,500 going to the winner.  ASC number one ranked Rina Kitazawa from Japan, 5 time ISC Women’s Champion Yasniar “Bonne” Gea, and local favorite and last year’s Siargao Women’s Cup winner Nilbe Blancada will be a treat to watch in the pumping Cloud 9 waves.

The event will start tomorrow as the swell is predicted to be building overnight from the 3 foot present this afternoon, making for a perfect start for Round 1 of the Men’s Open Division.  Contestants were told to be standing by ready to compete at 5:30 am for a 6:00 am start.

The 19th Annual Siargao Surfing Cup is sponsored by the Philippines Department of Tourism, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Municipality of General Luna, Cloud 9 Boardriders, Surf Angels, Reef Beach Houses, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Stoked Inc, Fluidsurf, Rip Curl, Siargao Bleu Resort, Nature Spring, Sagana Resort, The Boardwalk, Ocean 101, and DT General Merchandise, with media support by TV 5 and My Life On Board, organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation and sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships.

Asian Surfing Championships
Tim Hain – Media, Marketing and Communications
Tel:  +628123606674
Email: tim.hain@asiansurfingtour.com

Philippine Surfing Federation
Zeny Pallugna – Secretary General
Email: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph

Del Carmen Mangrove Forest





Asec Benzon of the International Promotions Office of the Dept of Tourism visiting the view deck of Del Carmen Mangrove Forest. Asec committed to support Del Carmen's drive to be host of incentives and training programs of various organizations. So far Del Carmen's tourism has directly benefited the community and the people. This unique tourism approach is only in Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, Philippines.

Article Courtesy: Mayor JR Coro 

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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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