Siargao: House Bill 6349

House Bill 6349 seeks to spur sustainable and responsible growth by creating a 40 meter land easement beginning at the shoreline and reckoned inwards the land areas.

From the end of the easement perimeter and 3 kilometers inwards, the bill then reclassifies and converts the land areas covered into commercial, residential, and tourist places.

Further, this bill declares the Siargao Island and all the surrounding islands therein as ecotourism zones. To manage the development of the areas herein specified, this bill creates the Siargao Development Authority to ensure the sustainable development of the islands.

Source: Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez Facebook Page

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Siargao Islands, Philippines

Cloud9 Surfing

Siargao Boardwalk
Sugba Lagoon

Guyam Island

Siargao Magpupungko

Siargao Beach
Siargao Islands, Philippines

Source: John Christian Falar Sayon

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Cloud 9 local surfer wins the ASP QS 20th Annual Siargao International Surfing Cup

Edito “Piso” Alcala wins in 20^th Siargao International Surfing Cup over Carlito Nogalo in pumping Cloud 9 local-on-local barrel fest

28 September, Siargao Island – Philippines:  General Luna’s Edito “Piso” Alcala took the win over fellow Siargao Island local Carlito Nogalo in pumping 4-5 foot Cloud 9 perfection today at the end of the 30 minute final of the 20^th annual Siargao International Surfing Cup, coming back to the iconic wooden tower and be greeted by his many fans, $4,000 richer and proud winner of first-ever ASP Qualifying Series event in the Philippines, albeit with a broken surfboard after his final wave.

After scoring a perfect 10 point ride for a massive Cloud 7 barrel in his quarterfinal heat against 16 year old local ripper John Mark “Marama” Tokong on his way to an almost perfect heat score of 19 points (out of a possible 20), in arguably the most exciting heat of the entire event this morning, Piso went on to best young Aussie Chris Zaffis in his semifinal heat and then meet up with long time friend Carlito Nogala in the final.

Carlito Nogalo of Siargao Island

Piso’s two top scoring waves in the final were a 9.55 and a 9.90, two almost perfect scores for an almost perfect heat, 19.45 out of a possible 20 points!

“I’m very proud to win here today,” said Piso. “This win is for everyone, for me, my family, the locals, and the surfers from around the world who continue to visit. I’d like to thank the ASP and the ASC, and my sponsors Stoked Inc and Siargao Inn, and everyone who comes here to surf.” When asked how it felt to compete against his friend Carlito in the final, he replied, “We hang out, and we’re good friends.  And when the contest is on, that don’t affect us. Out there in the waves I still look out for him, and vice-versa. But in the end one of us will win, and today it was me.  I know he’s happy for me just like I would be happy for him if he was the winner.”

When asked the same question Carlito replied, “Piso and I have been friends for a long time and we’d also been competing with each other a long time. He’s very lucky that he was able to get some really good waves out there today. As for me, I got a few waves but it wasn’t enough to win this time. But there will next year. I train the whole year round so I’ll definitely be ready for another try next year.”

Edito "Piso" Alcala and Carlito Nogalo hug each other after the competition.

The event took place over a 5-day period from September 24-28, where after the opening ceremony there were two lay days while waiting for the arrival of a predicted swell.  On the 26^th of September Round 1 was run in small but fun conditions, then on the 27^th the swell increased significantly allowing for the completion of Rounds 2 and 3 for the total of 48 competitors the majority coming from countries including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Indonesia. 

Today the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals were completed in the best waves of the entire event.  Later this evening there will be the awards presentation on the Boulevard in General Luna, which is always a highlight with speeches, music, dancing and lots of beverages being consumed.

Chris Zaffis of Australia

This was a historic event for not only the local community but for Philippine surfing as a whole, for with the support of the local and regional government and a year of being sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships, the event was upgraded to a ASP 1 star World Qualifying Series event (dual sanctioned with the ASC) with a $15,000 prize purse.

Considered by many as the Godfather of Philippine surfing for is long and unwavering support of the Siargao International Cup, General Luna’s Mayor Jaime Rusillon is already looking ahead to next year and has promised it will be an even bigger ASP event next year. “Even though I myself cannot surf,” said the Mayor Rusillon, “I’ve been supporting this event for a lot of years now and trust me, we will make it even bigger and better next year!”

(L-R) Governor Sol F. Matugas of Surigao del Norte with
Former Mayor Cecilia Rusillon of General Luna, Siargao Island.

Governor Sol Matugas also attended the event today and after the finals had this to say: “I really enjoyed the competition. I’m excited because it’s been hands-on work for me. We’re all so proud for having produced champion surfers that are at par with foreign surfers.  Piso and Carlito are both from Siargao and they’d been surfing for many years, honing their skills. I hope this international event will continue in the next twenty years and more with the help of private organizations and with the local government support. Siargao is also the only province the Philippines that are hosting two international events; aside from surfing we also host the International Game Fishing tournament in Pilar. Hopefully we will discover other events we could stage here in Siargao to promote our island.” (by Tim Hain, ASC)

Since the written word is rarely enough to portray the epic nature of a day like today, so just check out this finals video clip by Indo Inc’s Sean Gihooley…Cloud 9 was on fire today for the boys!

Finals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q_042dyY_A&feature=youtu.be Round 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfas6Oz6eJc Round 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m7DwFy50_A&feature=youtu.be Round 3:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaeA4qqXuUw&feature=youtu.be See all the results at http://www.aspworldtour.com/events/2014/mqs/1078/siargao-cloud-9-surfing-cup/results

The 2014 Siargao International Surfing Cup was a co-sanctioned 1-star ASP Men’s World Qualifying event and a ASC Grade 4 event that will ran from September 24-28, 2014 and boasted US$15,000 Prize Money.  

The 20^th Siargao International Surfing Cup was presented by the MVP Group of Companies and Manila Mining Corporation, with event organizers the Municipality of General Luna and Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte) and support by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the Philippine Department of Tourism, Cloud 9 Boardriders Club and Fluid Surf.

The event is sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals and the Asian Surfing Championships with the assistance of the Philippine Surfing Federation.

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About the Asian Surfing Championships (ASC)

The Asian Surfing Championships was established in 2010 as the progression of the highly successful Indonesian Surfing Championships that began in Bali, Indonesia in 2004.  The mission of the ASC is to develop and progress the sport of surfing in Asia by assisting in the organizing and sanctioning of professional surfing events, which will help their growing surf communities and draw more attention to their areas for the progression of surfing locally, nationally, and throughout the Asian Region. 

The attached images are royalty free for editorial use only, no commercial rights granted. The copyright is owned by the Asian Surfing Championships. ONLY LOW RES WATERMARKED IMAGES MAY BE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES WITH THE APPROPRIATE PHOTO CREDIT. Sale or license of the images is prohibited. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

LIST OF WINNERS

ORGANIZERS / SPONSORS

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Siargao's local surfers dominate quarter finals of the 20th Siargao International Surfing Cup

Carlito Nogalo of Siargao Island

27 September, Siargao Island – Philippines:  Out of the eight (8) quarter finalists of this year's Siargao International Surfing Cup (an ASC Qualifying Series and ASC Grade 4 sanctioned event in cooperation with the Philippine Surfing Federation), six (6) are Siargao's local surfers, with one Indonesian, last year’s winner Putra Hermawan, and 16 year old Australian Chris Zaffis the remaining internationals.  

Christ Zaffis of Australia

The expected increase in swell provided the international contestants with plenty of opportunities to pull into the world-renowned Cloud 9 barrels, as well as boosting airs and smashing big turns, with the Siargao crew clearly showing their local advantage in the face of the international contestants.

“I’m pretty stoked to still be in it…really I’m surprised to be one of the only international surfers left in the comp, but proud to be flying the flag for Australia,” said Chris.  “I’m looking forward to a pumping morning of surf tomorrow, coz I just want to get barreled and make it into the final!” he added.

The Siargao locals in the quarterfinals are the usual suspects, a mix of previous event winners and Cloud 9 tube masters made up of “Piso” Alcala, “Osot” Alcala, “Dodo” Espijon, Philmar Alipayo, Carlito Nogalo, and “Marama” Tokong.  Almost without exception, everyone on the island goes by a nickname!

On sundown there were 4-6 foot sets blasting over the reef for the two dozen freesurfers enjoying a late session, so tomorrow’s finale should see some event better waves than today for an exciting finale to the event.  There is a 6:30 am call out for the 8 quarterfinalists, so stay tuned!   

 
Check out the highlight clips so far, courtesy of Indo Inc’s Sean Gilhooley
Day 1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfas6Oz6eJc Day 2:  Round 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m7DwFy50_A&feature=youtu.be Round 3:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaeA4qqXuUw&feature=youtu.be
Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion tomorrow, and see all the results athttp://www.aspworldtour.com/events/2014/mqs/1078/siargao-cloud-9-surfing-cup/results
 

The 2014 Siargao International Surfing Cup is a co-sanctioned 1-star ASP Men’s World Qualifying event and a ASC Grade 4 event that will run from 24 - 28 September 2014 and boasts US$15,000 Prize Money.  

The 20^th Siargao International Surfing Cup is presented by the MVP Group of Companies and Manila Mining Corporation, with event organizers the Municipality of General Luna and Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte) and support by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the Philippine Department of Tourism, Cloud 9 Boardriders Club and Fluid Surf.

The event is sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals and the Asian Surfing Championships with the assistance of the Philippine Surfing Federation. 

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About the Asian Surfing Championships (ASC) The Asian Surfing Championships was established in 2010 as the progression of the highly successful Indonesian Surfing Championships that began in Bali, Indonesia in 2004.  The mission of the ASC is to develop and progress the sport of surfing in Asia by assisting in the organizing and sanctioning of professional surfing events, which will help their growing surf communities and draw more attention to their areas for the progression of surfing locally, nationally, and throughout the Asian Region. 

The attached images are royalty free for editorial use only, no commercial rights granted. The copyright is owned by the Asian Surfing Championships. ONLY LOW RES WATERMARKED IMAGES MAY BE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES WITH THE APPROPRIATE PHOTO CREDIT. Sale or license of the images is prohibited. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Philippines counts down to first ever ASP QS event at Cloud 9

Cloud 9, Siargao, Philippines. PIC ASP/Will H-S

COOLANGATTA, QLD/AUS (Wednesday, September 17, 2014) - The 20th Annual Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup is only weeks away from creating history as the first ASP Qualifying Series (QS) event at Cloud 9 in the Philippines. The event will be co-sanctioned by both the Association of Surfing Professionals and the Asian Surfing Championship (ASC), with surfers battling for precious ranking’s points and prize money at one of the world’s best waves.

While the event only carries a 1-Star rating and won’t be attracting the stars of our sport the way the 6-Star and Prime events do, this event is more about offering competitive experience for local surfers and giving up-and-coming international surfers and future stars of the sport valuable competitive experience at QS level.

Byron Bay's Soli Bailey at the 2011 Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup. Pic ASP/Will H-S.

“It’s fantastic to be working with the ASC to help grow the sport of surfing throughout Asia,” ASP Australasia General Manager Dane Jordan said. “1-Star QS events are the ideal way to test your competitive skills and learn what it takes to fight through a draw of talented surfers. Not to mention have the chance to surf one of the world’s best waves with just a couple of other surfers in the water.” 

16-year-old Quinn Bruce (Coolangatta, QLD/AUS) is one of Australia’s most exciting up-and-coming talents. Bruce works hard to perfect his skills at Snapper Rocks, the training grounds of some of the world’s best surfers — Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore.

“I haven't been to Cloud 9 before and I can’t wait to check the place out,” Bruce said. “I’ve heard it’s a perfect right hand barrel with a section at the end of it which is what every natural footer dreams of. I think living at Snapper and being a natural footer could be an advantage for me. There’s quite a huge difference surfing at QS events compared to the Juniors, in Junior events average scores are no worries, but in QS events it’s much harder to get a good score, plus you’re coming up against bigger and more experienced guys which can sometimes be intimidating. I haven't been told anything negative about the place yet so I'm sure it’s going to be a magical trip.”

Dede Suryana (IND) is one of Indonesia’s favourite surfing sons, and is a threat in any and all conditions. Coming off an equal 3rd place finish at last year’s Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup, Suryana is hungry to go one better and make the final this time around.

"I can't wait again to get back there,” Suryana said. “It’s such a good wave and it's a right hander. I love rights and especially barrels! I hope for more barrels again this year. Last year I finished in equal 3rd place. So, this year I need to be in the final! I'm coming Cloud 9!"

The 2014 Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup will run from 24 - 28 September 2014 and boasts US$15,000 Prize Money, and will be run in conjunction with the Philippines Surfing Federation.

This year's surfing event is brought to you by the MVP Group of Companies and Manila Mining Corporation and organized by the Municipality of General Luna, Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and the Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF) in cooperation with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Philippine Department of Tourism, Cloud 9 Boardriders Club and Fluid Surf. 

For more information, visit ASPWorldTour.com or send email to Philippine Surfing Federation at zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph or pallugna_don@yahoo.com.  (by Tim Hain)

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Philippines' Cloud 9 surfing tourney becomes ASP Qualifying Series tournament

For more information, email us at zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph or pallugna_don@yahoo.com.
Photo courtesy of Ronald Allan Chua of Karaga Republic.

This year's Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup, slated to run in the Philippines this September 24-28, will be a historic event. It has been running for 20 years, but this fall will be the Cup's first to offer ASP Qualifying Series (QS) points. The contest event will now be co-sanctioned by both ASP QS and Asian Surfing Championship (ASC), giving competitors a unique opportunity to better their respective standings in each league.

Defending champion Putra Hermawan (IDN) is looking forward to competing in an even bigger event and taking full advantage of the chance to compete for both ASP QS and ASC points simultaneously.

"Surfing Cloud 9 is like surfing my home break, Lacerations, in Nusa Lembongan," Hermawan said. "Last year was my first time to surf at Cloud 9 and I'm so excited to go back there again."

With ASP heading to the break, local surfers like Osot Alcala (PHI) will have the chance to compete among some of the sport's top athletes in the world.

"The locals are super excited to have the ASP and ASC here at Cloud 9," Alcala said. "We want our chance to surf against some of the best and can’t wait until September."

Siargao's governor, Francisco T. Matugas, has been a driving force behind getting this event on the world stage. Along with offering more opportunity for the surfers, a QS rating is a chance for the region to put a spotlight on its waves and its talent.

Surfing continues to gain footing in Asia and the Siargao is another step up in the upward mobility of the sport there. The president of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno S. Aquino III, plans to attend the opening ceremonies, a sign of the growing popularity of surfing in the country.

The ASP sanction will also create a huge draw for both regional and international of surfers, furthering the Asia Pacific region's standing as integral part of competitive surfing.

"I've been lucky enough to see Cloud 9 first-hand and it truly is one of the world's best waves," said Dane Jordan, ASP Australasia General Manager. "It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to make these events happen so I'd like to thank the people of the Philippines and everyone who's involved."

The 20th Annual Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup will run from September 24 to 28, 2014 and it is brought to you by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, Municipality of General Luna and the Philippine Surfing Federation in cooperation with the MVP Group of Companies, Philex Mining, Fluid Surf and Cloud 9 Boardriders. (by Tim Hain, ASC)

About ASP

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the sole governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the ASP World Championship Tours (WCT), the ASP Qualification Series (QS), the Big Wave World Tour; the ASP World Longboard Championship (WLC) and the ASP World Junior Championship (WJC).

The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves with the International organization supported by seven regional offices in Africa, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, Japan, North America, and South America.

The ASP serves to celebrate and grow the history, elite athletes, diverse fans and dedicated partners that together embody professional surfing today.

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Siargao women surfers win in the 7th Siargao Int'l Surfing Cup

The winners (L-R) - Kim Woolridge (Australia), Nildie Retenbach (Philippines)
and Manette Alcala (Philippines)

On its 7th year, the all women's surfing event in Asia (which was held from May 6 to 10, 2014) successfully concluded last May 10, after days of intense competition among the 19 surfers from Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Greece, Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, France and Philippines. at the world's best surfing spot, Cloud 9 in Siargao Island, Philippines. 

Whopping the US$5,000 prizemoney with trophies were three women surfers from Siargao Island plus an Australian surfer, Kim Woolridge, who was last year's defending.

Champion: Nelvie Blancada (Philippines)
1st RU: Manette Alcala (Philippines)
Equal 3rd RU: Nildie Retenbach (Philippines) and Kim Woolridge (Australia)

This 5-day event was organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF), Local Government of General Luna, Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and Philippine House of Representatives for the first district of Surigao del Norte.  (Photos by Wilmar Melindo)

The surfers together with the government officials (L-R) - Mayor Jaime Rusillon, Governor Sol Matugas, Congressman Francisco Matugas, Board Member Simeon Castrense, Vice Mayor Vic-Vic Solloso and Vice Governor Egay.

Special thanks to our sponsors - Surf Angel, Fluid Surf, Smart Communications, San Miguel Corporations and Nature Spring.

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Guide to Siargao for Non Surfers

If you are non surfer then try find another Siargao attraction like white beaches, enchanting lagoons, caves, sand bars, coral reefs, bizarre rock formations, exotic wildlife, endless rice fields, waterfalls, a large mangrove forest reserve and much more...

Photo Credit: Just One Way Ticket

Video Credit: Just One Way Ticket

Siargao Map - Click here

Siargao Accommodation - Click here

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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

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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

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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

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