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nigelly
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 Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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Riding the big waves in Siargao, Philippines
by Joba Botana
The Philippines, consisting of 7,107 islands, is blessed with world-class beaches that are not only a come-on to tourists but also well-known destinations for water sports like sea kayaking, wakeboarding and of course, surfing.
One of the most popular surfing destinations in the country is Siargao. Located in Surigao del Norte at the northeastern tip of Mindanao facing the Philippine Deep Sea, Siargao is known as the “Paradise of surfers.” It is bounded on the north and east by the vast Pacific Ocean, on the south by the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, and on the west by the historic Surigao Strait.
This unspoiled teardrop -shaped island is the country’s surfing capital because of the huge tube-like waves, which are present all year-round. As such, it has become the favorite venue of the International Surfing Cup, an annual event organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation 16 years ago.
Recently, the organization tied-up with the Tourism Department to celebrate the 2010 Surigao Surfing Festival. As part of the festivities, the DoT invited us to the opening of the Surfing Cup at Cloud Nine Resort in Siargao Island.
The crisp clean air and beautiful coastline that greeted us was enough to put us in vacation mode as soon as we arrived. And since we arrived a day ahead of the ceremony, we were able to explore the beauty of Siargao.
Hidden paradise
We visited the popular Magpupungko Natural Lagoon in the municipality of Pilar where we were unable to resist the tempting crystal clear lagoon. We spend almost an hour swimming and frolicking in the lagoon which was slightly covered by huge coral limestone formations making it a romantic place for those who want to stay away from the crowd of swimmers and surfers. A word of caution to those who decide to take plunge: Be sure to wear aqua shoes or slippers when swimming because the lagoon has sharp coral limestone along the edges and floor. What actually makes the place fascinating is the huge formation of coral limestone nestled atop another formation thus the name “magpupungko,” which means “to sit upon.”
An anticipated event
The next day, the front of Cloud Nine Resort was crowded with local and foreign visitors all waiting for the opening ceremony of the Surfing Cup.
About 40 surfers were slated to join the competition—15 of which are from Japan, Sweden, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China and Israel while the rest are local surfers from Baler (Aurora), Camarines Sur, Eastern Samar, La Union and General Luna.
“This year’s Surfing Festival is the most anticipated event in the Philippine surf season. The event is also a come-on to promote tourism and showcase Surigao’s natural wonders,” says Surigao del Norte’s Gov. Sol Matugas, a former Department of Education Region VIII director based in Tacloban City.
Among those who graced the opening ceremony of the International Surfing Fest were Australian Ambassador Rod Smith, Deputy Ambassador of Australia Andrew Byrne and Australian Agency for International Development Minister Counsellor Titon Mitra.
According to Zeny Pallugna, secretary general of the Surfing Federation, the champion in the national competition will receive the amount of P100,000 and the top 12 surfers are qualified to compete in the international level.
“The champion in the international competition will bring home the amount of P160,000 plus goodies and a trophy,” she says.
Last year’s champion in the national competition was 22-year old Edito “Piso” Alcala and he is set to defend that title this year.
Alcala started surfing when he was 15, thanks to his older sister who was then already a champion surfer in the women’s category. He quickly grew to love the sport, surfing two to five hours a day in Cloud Nine where right-breaking reef waves are higher and thicker than in other areas. Back then, he didn’t own a surf board so he would borrow from foreign friends. When he started winning in national and international competitions a few years ago, he was able to not only get himself three surf boards but even earned enough for a house for his family. Right now, Alcala is supported by Billabong, being the company’s official surf coach and representative in surfing competitions.
This year’s International Surfing Cup is supported by Surigao del Norte’s provincial government and House of Representatives, General Luna’s local government unit and San Miguel Corporation.
http://bhart-beachesofsurigao.blogspot.com/
http://blogphilippines.com/2009/10/siargao-island-of-the-philippines.html
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2010/october/21/lifestyle1.isx&d=2010/october/21 |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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More Islands in Palawan, Philippines
Last edited by nigelly on Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by nigelly on Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:35 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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Pictures By Christina Macfarlane and Kelly Hsiao |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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Camarines Sur International Dragon Boat Fest 2010, Philippines
by Camsur Events |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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More of CamSur International Dragon Boat Fest 2010, Philippines
by Camsur Events |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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Turista Magazine's May-June 2010 issue, Camarines Sur, Philippines
by Camsur Events
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nigelly
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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by Camsur Events |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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Check out the June 2010 issue of Kiteboarder Magazine! It is an Australian mag that ran a 6-page feature on kiteboarding at CWC, Camarines Sur, Philippines
by Camsur Events |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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Here are Coron - Busuanga, Philippines Diving Pictures. |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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Diving the Japanese WWII wrecks at Coron Philippines
 
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nigelly
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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Diving at Coron Philippines Pictures Set 2
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nigelly
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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Diving at Coron Philippines Pictures Set 3
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nigelly
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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Plazuela de Iloilo, Philippines
Last edited by nigelly on Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:01 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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Poro Point, La Union, Philippines
Last edited by nigelly on Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:02 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by nigelly on Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:03 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nigelly
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| Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:51 am Post subject: |
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