Leading surfers from the Asia-Pacific and beyond are joining the Siargao International 6000 Surfing Cup scheduled from Oct. 23 to 31.
A total of 128 males and 64 females will compete for the USD50,000 (around PHP2.8 million) top prize in the highest-ranking World Surf League (WSL) qualifying series to be held in the country.
Last January, the WSL staged the World Junior Championships in San Juan, La Union.
“It’s not just for the athletes but for the local communities as well,” presidential son and sports ambassador William Vincent Marcos said during Tuesday’s special Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at a restaurant in Makati City.
“I love all sports but surfing has a very special place in my heart,” the young Marcos, who also surfs, added.
He said the upcoming event is a perfect chance for the Philippines to promote sports tourism.
Also present in the forum were Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Patrick Gregorio, Isabela 5th District and House Committee on Youth and Sports chairman Rep. Mike Dy, Aurora Lone District Rep. Rommel Angara and United Philippine Surfing Association president Dr. Raul Canlas.
“This hosting is part ot the sports tourism program that we are pursuing. We believe that sports tourism is an economic driver. And why surfing? Because it’s a beautiful sport,” Gregorio said.
“And with 7,100 islands, how can we go wrong? As long as we see the leaders really pushing, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t support it,” he added.
Tournament technical director John Carby, world No. 3 and longboard champion Jay-R Esquivel and Nildie Blancada of the Siargao Surf Association, also attended the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app Arena Plus.
“This is a top-level event. It’s world class,” Carby said, adding that with Philippine surfing destinations such as Siargao, Baler and La Union known for their unmatched hospitality, “that makes it very easy for the WSL to host such events.”
“There’s magic in Siargao, there’s magic in Baler, there’s magic in La Union,” Gregorio said.
