Philex, Smart support surfing event on Siargao
A three-story, nipa hut-inspired structure on stilts and boardwalk serving as a hangout area for the surfers, residents, and beachgoers
Philex, Smart support surfing event on Siargao
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Government leaders spearhead holding of prestigious ‘Cloud 9’
By Madelaine Cabrera
About 100 professional surfers from all over the country and abroad yesterday gathered on the southern Philippine island of Siargao for a surfing competition organized by its local government and is supported by Philex Mining Corp., its subsidiary Silangan Mindanao Mining Co., Inc., and sister company Smart Communications, Inc.
Michael Toldeo, media-bureau head at the MVP group of companies and SVP-Corporate Affairs at Philex Mining, has expressed solidarity with Siargao Island, in Surigao del Norte, in what he described as having great potential to becoming an investment hub for tourism.
The MVP group has long been a partner of the province in its efforts toward protecting its environment and in building awareness toward its vast investment potential,• he said in Manila. This partnership has remained strong and shall continue to be so for the years to come.
Dubbed Cloud 9, this prestigious event has been organized under the leadership of Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas and Rep. Francisco Matugas for the 20th Siargao International Surfing Cup.
Gov. Matugas (foreground), Rep. Matugas (holding a mallet), and Jaime Rusillon (in bright yellow T-shirt), mayor of General Luna, lead the board-breaking ceremony as “Cloud 9” kicks off on Siargao Island. Also pictured are Ronald Sumalinog and Don Pallugna, representatives of the Philippine Surfing Federation; Tim Hain, manager of the Association of Surfing Championship Tour; and Dane Jordan, manager of Australasia Association of Surfing Professionals
Gov. Matugas emphasized that this year•s event has been brought to a higher level as it is sanctioned by international surfing organizations, such as the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and Asian Surfing Championship (ASC).
We expect this year to be the biggest surfing event because it will be Siargao•s first time to be a part of the world surfing circuit,• she stressed, as the event, which runs until Sept. 28, kicked off yesterday. •It is now confirmed that it would be an ASP-sanctioned event in partnership with the ASC.•
She said that more world-class surfers, who are participating in the world circuit, would come to Siargao and participate. •Last year, we had the ASC to give us a 6-star surfing ranking, making the Siargao Surfing Cup one of the qualifying stops for the Asian Circuit,• she added.
This will give Siargao the ratings of ASP-World Qualifying Series 1 Star and ASC Grade 6, the highest rating for ASC Tour.
Professional Filipino surfers and their counterparts from Australia, Indonesia, the US, and Japan, among other countries, are now competing for a $15,000-prize money and valuable rating points in an effort to qualify for the ASP World Tour.
We are expecting more or less a hundred of professional foreign surfers from the different parts of the world for this event,• Gov. Matugas said. •We will continue to invite everyone to support our eco-tourism drive•for the love of sports and adoration of the environment.•
She added, •This is a year-round event, and people from around the world are here not just to surf, but also be caught by the beauty of the place.