SIARGAO, Philippines — No promise, no expectation – just all heart.
That’s John Mark “Marama” Tokong’s vow as Siargao’s own takes on the world when the WSL Championship Tour Philippines Pro fires off today at Cloud 9.
Four Filipino wildcards – Tokong, Jayuard Alciso, Mara Lopez and Noah Arkfeld – have been unleashed to face the world’s best and brightest, including reigning world champions and Olympic medalists.
Tokong opens against Brazil’s Samuel Pupo – and if he survives, a monster Round 2 awaits in former world champion Gabriel Medina.
It doesn’t get easier for the rest. Lopez, 15, draws an opening-day nightmare in Australia’s Molly Picklum, the reigning Portugal champion and current Yellow Jersey holder. Alciso faces French Polynesia’s Olympic gold medalist Kauli Vaast, while Arkfeld battles Australia’s George Pittar.
In a bid for upset, Tokong, the brightest hope among the Filipino bets, will bank on familiarity of the waves, knowledge of every hollow section, every shift of the wind in Siargao waters.
The world has come to Siargao, but PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio had a warning for the invaders during yesterday’s press conference at Café Loka.
“Watch out for our bets,” said Gregorio, who is presenting the historic event with Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga.
From today to Nov. 10, Siargao is not just hosting a contest. It’s showing the world what Filipino surfing is made of.