La Union, Siargao rule Lanuza surf

MANILA, Philippines - Surfers from Siargao Island and La Union topped the recently concluded 13th Lanuza Surfing Festival at the Doot Poktoy Surfing Paradise in Surigao del Sur.

Led by veteran Edito “Piso” Alcala, Siargao surfers led the charge in the Shortboard Men’s Open along with Peterpaul Alipayo who captured first runner-up honors. Last year’s champion in the same division, he is also back-to-back winner in the Siargao International Surfing Cup, the country’s top surfing tournament held every September.

Jay-r Esquivel and Jefferson Basquina dela Torre, both of La Union, settled for second and third runner-up, respectively.

Daisy Valdez repeated her last year’s impressive showing to once again rule the Wahine Longboard Open, edging homegrown Debie Gumanoy who settled for first runner-up. Siargao surfers Nilbie Blancada and Keiko Tsukamoto rounded up the winning circle.

Local pride Juramz Ariate bounced back to capture the Longboard Men’s Open, outlasting Jay-r Esquivel, fellow Lanuza surfer Nexyol Ruina and La Union’s Benito Nerida.  

Siargao betsNilbie Blancada, Manette Alcala and Jovelyn Coldura barged into the Shortboard Wahine women’s category, with La Union’s Daisy Valdez preventing Siargao’s complete domination.

Lanuza Mayor Salvacion Azarcon said the sporting event aims to make Doot Poktoy the surfing paradise in mainland Caraga region.

The surfing fest also included an agri-aqua trade fair, coastal cleanups, surfing clinics, entertainment concerts, beach dance concerts, and the Miss Surfing Lanuza pageant which selected the town’s ambassadresses of sports tourism.

She added that the town also has other natural attractions such as the Magkawas Falls, Campamento Cave and Silop Cold Spring which make it a complete eco-tourism getaway.