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| (Image Source: Journal News Online/ICE Integrated Communications & Events) |
A wave can put an island on the world map. For 10 days, one reef break will carry a whole community and a whole country onto the global stage. Now running until November 8, 2026, the World Surf League (WSL) Philippines Pro Championship Tour, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), brings 40 of the sport’s elite to Cloud 9. For Philippine sports tourism, this is the moment the island has been paddling toward with a lineup that sells a destination.
The field is a billboard no campaign could build. World No. 1 Yago Dora of Brazil, Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti, Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi, and Brazilian heavyweights Italo Ferreira, Miguel Pupo, Gabriel Medina and Filipe Toledo are showcased on the men’s side. Equally impressive is the women’s side with Australia’s top-ranked Molly Picklum, U.S. sensation Caroline Marks, rising talent Erin Brooks, Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan and veteran Lakey Peterson. On the other hand, three Filipinos will paddle out as powerful ambassadors for Philippine surfing and tourism: the King of Cloud 9, John Mark “Marama” Tokong, alongside Jayuard Alciso and Mara Lopez. PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, who is also the Chairman of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC), was unequivocal that the biggest tourism events are sports events such as the WSL CT and their value extends far beyond competition. “Sports tourism is more than staging competitions. It is a powerful platform that showcases destinations, drives local economies, inspires communities, and places the Philippines on the global map,” said Gregorio. The NST-IAC was established by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Administrative Order No. 38, to enhance the Philippines’ position as a premier destination for international sporting events. Its primary role is to coordinate government efforts in promoting sports tourism, which aims to generate employment, attract investments, and stimulate local economies. Philippine Sports Ambassador and Presidential Son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, a dedicated force behind the rise of Philippine surfing, sees the tour as the proof point, stating, “The waves have always been here. The talent has always been here. Bringing the WSL Championship Tour to the Philippines is the perfect opportunity to finally show the world what Filipinos have known all along: the Philippines has everything the world is looking for. Siargao will be unforgettable.”
The formula is simple. Put a world-class sport in a world-class setting, and let the images do the selling. “Let this hosting remind the world that the Philippines is ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best,” said Gregorio, whose relentless push for sports tourism underscores its value as a strategic driver of investment, global visibility, and national progress. It is the first time the Philippines has hosted surfing’s crown-jewel circuit, a global meet that ranks alongside Formula 1’s Grand Prix (motor racing), the four Grand Slam tournaments in tennis, FIFA World Cup (football), and Tour de France (cycling), among others, in terms of popularity. For Siargao, it delivers global prestige and lasting infrastructure. For the Philippines, it sparks a surfing revolution, inspiring a new generation of talent and proudly proving that sports tourism is a monumental triumph of Filipino vision and ambition. Hosting the best means being ready for everyone who follows them. The tour came together through a coalition spanning the PSC and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Department of Tourism (DOT), public works, electrification, aviation, ports, and the flag carrier with agencies including DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), NEA (National Electrification Administration) [with SIARELCO (Siargao Electric Cooperative Inc.)], DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), DBM (Department of Budget and Management), CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines), DOTr (Department of Transportation), the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Airlines (PAL), TCP (Tourism Congress of the Philippines), and SDMI Sports. Surigao del Norte Governor Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Doc Minmin Sajulga were at the center of preparations with a clear aim to show Siargao as a premier destination for global sports tourism.
Gregorio stressed, “This will be a historic moment for Philippine surfing, and the arrival of the Championship Tour will usher the sport into an exciting new era.” He thanked WSL Chief Executive Officer Ryan Crosby and WSL Asia Pacific President Andrew Stark for their unwavering confidence in the country’s surfing potential and for choosing Siargao, one of the world’s premier surf destinations, to host the milestone event. Gregorio concluded, “Let it inspire a new generation of athletes. Let the world discover not just our waves but the vision, ambition, and heart of the Filipino people.”
