GENERAL LUNA, SIARGAO — Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick C. Gregorio met with the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA) national team at Harana Surf Resort in General Luna to discuss training equipment needs ahead of a packed international competition calendar. The meeting comes as the country prepares to host the WSL Championship Tour – Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 from October 31 to November 10, 2026. With the national team based in Siargao alongside rowing and dragon boat athletes, the PSC is prioritizing the welfare of water sports athletes as they gear up for the WSL series, the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026, and the ISA World Surfing Games.
Filipino Surfers Shine on the International Stage
The national team's recent performances have been impressive. Jomarie Ebueza secured third place in the Men's Longboard division at the Lexus US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, California. The 24-year-old La Union native earned a bronze medal and valuable WSL ranking points. Fellow Filipino Rogelio "Jay-R" Esquivel Jr. also placed ninth in the same competition, giving the country two surfers in the tournament's top 10. The Philippines has also secured four qualification slots for the 20th Asian Games in Japan, underscoring the team's rising status on the international surfing circuit.
Building a Legacy for Philippine Water Sports
In partnership with the Municipality of General Luna, the PSC is developing the Regional Training Center for Water Sports as a dedicated training ground and home base for national athletes. The facility is part of a broader sports infrastructure upgrade in Siargao, with the General Luna Convention Center being transformed into a specialized watersports training academy for surfing, coastal rowing, beach sprints, and dragon boat racing. As the Philippines prepares to welcome the world's best surfers to Cloud 9, the PSC's commitment to athlete welfare and facility development is laying the groundwork for a lasting legacy in Philippine water sports.
