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Filipino Surfers Off to Claim Rightful World Class Status in the International Surfing Arena

Manila, Philippines – In a bid to put Filipino surfers at the forefront of the international surfing arena, Aloha Boardsports Team Riders Bonifacio “Arkipo” Figuron, Anthony “Kawkaw” Luebben and Rommel “Okoy” Rojo will pit their skill against the region’s best surfers as they compete in a series of global surfing competitions. As their first stop, the trio are set to banner the Philippine colors at the International ISC Tour in Bali, Indonesia—one of the region’s most prestigious surfing competitions.

Honed in the Philippine’s most notable surfing destinations, all three have garnered honors in local surf competitions and are in fact considered to be among the country’s top-ranked.

Just last year, the 14-year surf veteran Okoy Rojo was among the top 8 Filipino riders who qualified and competed internationally for the Billabong International Cloud 9 Competition. Most recently, Figuron was declared as the Champion in the Cloud 9 Masters held in Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte; while Luebben won the 3rd place in the Longboard Pro Invitational in La Union.

Aside from being among the Philippines’ top surfers, all three are supported by one of the country’s leading surfing advocates, Aloha Board Sports Inc. led by its President Freddy Gonzalez.

“We hope to grow the local surfing industry, explore the numerous opportunities that it presents for Philippine tourism as well as empower and support the country’s growing community of local surfers,” asserts Gonzalez. He says that with a coastline twice as long as that of the United States, the Philippines is a place where people can discover at least a dozen new spectacular breaks every season – a fact that can potentially secure the country’s place on the international surfing tourism map.

While Figuron, Anthony Luebben and Rojo have already distinguished themselves in the local surfing scene, they will have to prove themselves anew in the international events they will be competing in. These include: Oakley Surfing Competition, Bali Surf for the Kids Competition, the Scar Reef Pro Competition and the Rip Curl Surf & Music Festival. During the competitions, Figuron, Leubben and Rojo will be expected to perform radical manoeuvres in the critical section of a wave with speed, power and flow to maximize scoring potential. Their progressive surfing as well as their variety of repertoire will also be taken into consideration.

“Filipinos are a people equipped with natural agility and strength of character; both of which are traits that top surfers have,” says Gonzalez. “We hope that by supporting locals such as Figuron, Luebben and Rojo, we’re doing our part to let the international community recognize Filipino surfers for the world-class talents that they are.”

Aloha Boardsports Inc. is the exclusive distributor for leading action sports apparel and accessories. For product information and inquiries, please visit Aloha Boardsports, Inc. at Level R3 Powerplant Mall, Makati City or call (02) 899-7332.

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