Surf & Music Festival 2012 goes to Pagudpud

MANILA, Philippines - Sometimes it’s just good to give in to the stereotype, you know? Surfers have always been viewed as a bunch of happy-go-lucky folks, riding smooth on the waves, lounging by the beach, and getting a nice tan while listening to the cool beats of reggae. It’s a tough image to live up to, that’s for sure, but then again, it certainly is inevitable.

Aloha Boardsports, in partnership with the Department of Tourism and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, give music fans a chance to live the surfer’s high.

The Surf & Music Festival 2012, happening from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, is the only festival in the Philippines that puts together the advocacies for an active lifestyle, local tourism, and the practice of environmentally-aware travel front and center, creatively combining them all using the ever-reliable tandem of music and action sports.

The Surf & Music Festival has always been very conscious about tapping into local surfing hotspots in support of the Department of Tourism’s mission to encourage Filipinos, not only to travel to local destinations more, but more pertinently, to practice responsible tourism. In the past, the festival has been held in various surf towns in the country, both established and up and coming. For this year, and in the spirit of continuing that mission, the 2012 iteration of Surf & Music heads way up north to Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud.

“Pagudpud being recognized as a haven for surfing enthusiasts in the country has made it the easy pick for this year’s festival,” said Freddy Gonzalez, president of Freesurf, Inc., exclusive distributor of core action sports brands through concept stores like Aloha Boardsports. “We are, of course, simply excited to be working hand in hand with the local government to solidify the region’s foothold in being one of the country’s top tourist destinations. Ilocos Norte has always been home to a rich history and deep appreciation for the arts, after all, so obviously, they’ll have more than just their beaches to offer to visitors.”

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos shares the same excitement for the event, saying, “The surf spots the North has to offer, like Dos Hermanos, Vista, Heartbreak, Private, The Blue Lagoon, Level Up, and Bantay Abot in Pagudpud, as well as those in Saud Beach and Bangui Bay, make it an irresistible destination. We are very eager for Pagudpud and Ilocos Norte as a whole to host this festival, especially for those who can enjoy the most our natural resources have to offer. That, plus the fact that it would help with the growth of business and tourism opportunities for our region, particularly the surf communities, convinced us that this is a project worth diving into.”

The Surf & Music Festival 2012 includes the GSI Longboard Pro and the Aloha Boardsports-Manila Surfers Association Beginner Surf Competition.

There will be surf classes for curious beginners — Luke Landrigan, the first Filipino to be signed and sponsored by Billabong Asia, and one of Aloha Boardsports team’s very own, will be bringing his surf-teaching skills to the event — surf competitions with serious prize money and top-of-the-line products at stake, and mountain bike and location tours that should be a great way to take in the sights of the province.

For information about the festival, visit www.alohaboardsports.com/surfmusicfest