GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR – About two decades ago, ABCD Beach was a well-kept secret. Known only to surf pioneers in the region, the wave named after the Advanced Base Construction Depot during World War II showed itself only to those who made the surf pilgrimage to the remote island of Guiuan in Eastern Samar.
It was Borongan that more wave-seekers frequented because of its accessibility. The very first national surfing competition in Eastern Samar, brainchild of the Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar (SCES), was primed for Borongan. But as fate would have it, waves were sparse on the event day. Not to be deterred by luck running dry, the club members and participants packed up their boards and tents to set up camp in a mythical spot that broke two hours away. To pay tribute to their journey, the contest was called the Calicoan Odyssey Waves.
The beginning of a new odyssey
Now in its 13th year, the Calicoan Odyssey Waves returns to the forefront of Philippine surfing as the 2nd stop of the 2023 NextGen Pilipinas Surfing National Tour. A total of 164 competitors representing 25 homebreaks across 15 provinces made the long and adventure-filled journey to Calicoan.
“Surfers amaze me,” remarked Mayor Analiza Gonzales-Kwan during the Opening Ceremony. “They face something [waves] that most of us normally fear. But surfers show how one can flow with the waves.” Indeed, the old fishing town of Guiuan now “prays for waves” to keep the island’s surf tourism dreams afloat.
Atty. Philip “PJ” Evardone, who spoke on behalf of Governor Ben Evardone, recounts how he fell in love with surfing in Calicoan. With a surfboard he borrowed from local pioneer, Junjun Balansay, he experienced his first wipeout, and, eventually, the wave that gave him that elusive feeling of stoke, here in Calicoan.
“Surfing will fuel tourism in Eastern Samar,” he shared. “Our region is the only one to host two legs of the national tour, one here in Calicoan, and another one in Borongan at the end of November.”
The sister municipalities of Borongan and Calicoan have entered an agreement that will pave the way for the ease of tourism in the region. Representing Mayor Dayan Agda of Borongan City, Rupert Ambil emphasized how flights to Borongan have made it easier to reach the city, which will serve as a gateway to the rest of Eastern Samar, especially the town of Guiuan.
But beyond the waves of tourists, it is the unique brand of Estehanon warmth and hospitality that Cong. Maria Fe Abunda is most proud of. “These are the waves na dapat ipagmalaki [that we should be proud of] because we are those waves,” her representative, Cora Basada, mentioned.
Ever since surfing became a part of the Olympics, the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA) set a clear path for surfers to climb the national rankings by joining national competitions like the Calicoan Odyssey Waves.
John Carby, Technical Director of UPSA, pointed out how these competitions launched the international surfing careers of Jay-r Esquivel in the World Longboard Tour and John Mark Tokong in the World Challenger Series.
As more contests run across regions far and wide, surfing will also “upskill” many surf coaches, technical staff, and organizing bodies. This will also raise the level of support across the industry as local board shapers and manufacturers of surf products will elevate their standards to meet the demands of a growing industry.
What can [the professionalization of surfing] do for a community? Everything.”
John Carby, UPSA Technical Director
Indeed, surfing in the region will benefit more than just surfers. “This will provide new avenues for livelihood and employment,” shared Atty. PJ Evardone. “With new players setting up new businesses like hotels and coffee shops in our towns, even non-surfers can come to Calicoan and Borongan to see what our places have to offer.”
Cong. Maria Fe Abunda, represented by Cora Basada, shared her all-embracing vision to lift Eastern Samar out of the list of poorest municipalities in the country. Although the task may seem Herculean to some, Calicoan and its neighboring towns have shown how they are capable of withstanding challenges of epic proportions. Standing in Guiuan today, one can no longer see the aftermath of the storm surge that swept its people just a decade ago.
Through the sustained efforts of the local government units, the provincial office of Eastern Samar, the support of Borongan City, and the House of Representatives through the Tingog Partylist, surfing in Samar will uphold more than just the dream of being the “Surfing Capital of the Visayas.”
“Hinay-hinay pero kanunay [slowly but surely].
Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan
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About UPSA
The UPSA is the sole recognized National Sports Association (NSA) for developing and promoting surfing in the Philippines. This recognition was granted by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) through Republic Act 6847. As the national governing body for surfing in the Philippines recognized by the International Olympic Committee, UPSA continues to support and foster the growth of exceptional surf athletes like Jay-r Esquivel, Jr.
About Pilipinas Surfing
Pilipinas Surfing is the country’s premiere professional surfing championship tournaments with multiple competitions held at different regions around the Philippines. These events are sanctioned under your Local Government Unit (LGU) as part of the only national competitions in a unifying and collective series of national legs around the country.
