TACLOBAN CITY — Local surfing talents took center stage at Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, as 108 surfers competed in the Calicoan Odyssey Waves 2026 local surfing competition, with Norman Dalora and Cindy Balbuena emerging as champions in their respective divisions.
The three-day competition, held from Oct. 8 to 10 and concluding Saturday, showcased the skills of local surfers across several categories, highlighting Guiuan’s potential as a surfing and tourism destination.
Dalora won the Men’s Open Shortboard title, while Albert Sabas claimed the Men’s Open Longboard crown.
In the other divisions, Ceasar Anthony “Buboy” Balansay topped the Juniors’ Shortboard category, while Balbuena emerged as champion in the Women’s Open Shortboard division. Rona Odullo Arevalo secured the Women’s Longboard title.
The competition was presented by the municipal government of Guiuan, led by Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan, Vice Mayor Veronica Cabacaba and members of the Sangguniang Bayan, in partnership with the provincial government of Eastern Samar under Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone, Vice Gov. Maricar Sison-Goteesan and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas, through OIC Regional Director Ma. Catherine Apostol, and Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Sheen Gonzales also supported the event.
Gonzales-Kwan said the competition was deliberately kept modest and limited to local surfers in consideration of Memorandum Circular No. 114, series of 2026, issued by Malacañang on March 6, directing government agencies and other covered entities to implement strict austerity measures.
In a message delivered by Board Member Nesty Cablao, Evardone said the competition gave local surfers an opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent, discipline and determination, as well as their passion for the sport.
Cablao also recognized the collaboration between the municipal and provincial governments in staging the event. He encouraged the participants to persevere, reminding them that losing a competition does not mean the end of their surfing journey.
The provincial government provided cash prizes for winners in selected categories, while Gonzales pledged additional prizes for winning surfers and new infrastructure at ABCD Beach.
The planned improvements are expected to help strengthen Guiuan’s appeal to surfers and visitors while supporting the municipality’s tourism economy.
Through the competition, local officials underscored their continuing efforts to promote surfing talent and develop Calicoan Island as a destination for sports tourism.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
