MANILA – When the World Surf League (WSL) Philippines Pro Championship Tour presented by the Philippine Sports Commission arrives in Siargao this October, it will mark a historic first as the nation hosts the most prestigious and competitive surfing tournament on the planet.
For Filipino fans, the spotlight shines brightest on John Mark “Marama” Tokong, who has been awarded a coveted wildcard to compete at his home break, Cloud 9.
The WSL Championship Tour is surfing’s equivalent of the Formula 1 Grand Prix or tennis’ Wimbledon and French Open – a global stage reserved for the sport’s elite.
Having a Filipino surfer in the lineup is a breakthrough moment for Philippine surfing, a chance to showcase local talent against the world’s best.
“Getting the chance to compete in a CT event at my home break is one of my biggest dreams. I’m really grateful for the opportunity and excited to represent my hometown and our country,’’ said Tokong, himself humbled by the opportunity.
Cloud 9, with its flawless right-hand barrels, has long been a proving ground for international surfers. But no one knows this wave better than Tokong.
Since the Siargao International Surfing Cup joined the WSL Qualifying Series in 2014, Tokong has built an extraordinary record of five finals appearances and four victories (2015, 2019, 2022, and 2023).
His dominance has earned him the unofficial crown as the “King of Cloud 9.”
“The waves have always been here. The talent has always been here,” said Presidential Son and Philippine Sports Ambassador William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, a dedicated force behind the rise of Philippine surfing. `
“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,” Marcos said.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio called it a “historic moment for Philippine surfing,” pointing out that the arrival of the WSL Championship Tour in Siargao is not just a sporting milestone but a cultural and national triumph.
“Hosting this event will inspire a new generation of athletes, elevate sports tourism, and showcase the vision and heart of the Filipino people. Let this moment remind the world that the Philippines is ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best,” Gregorio said.
The world’s finest surfers are set to test Cloud 9’s legendary barrels, led by standouts from the men’s Championship Tour – World No. 1 Yago Dora of Brazil, Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti, Brazilian powerhouses Italo Ferreira, Miguel Pupo, Gabriel Medina, and Filipe Toledo, Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi, and American star Tyler Wright. Their presence ensures a showcase of high‑performance surfing at its absolute peak.
On the women’s side, the lineup is equally formidable. Australia’s top‑ranked Molly Picklum, US sensation Caroline Marks, rising talent Erin Brooks, Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan, and veteran Lakey Peterson will bring world‑class skill and artistry to Siargao, promising a spectacle of speed, precision, and fearless tube‑riding.
The country’s hosting of this global surfing spectacle was made possible through the united efforts of key national agencies – the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Tourism and Events Infrastructure and Safety Administration (TIEZA), and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) in partnership with SIARELCO.
Their collaboration ensured that Siargao was fully prepared to welcome the world’s best 24 men and 16 women surfers, including three Filipinos, to Cloud 9.
Equally vital was the steadfast support of local leadership. Surigao del Norte Governor Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga, and Vice Mayor Doc Minmin Sajulga stood at the forefront of preparations, guiding every step with vision and commitment.
Their hands-on involvement emphasized the province’s determination to deliver a world-class event and showcase Siargao as a premier destination for global sports tourism.
In 2023, Tokong etched his name further into history by becoming the first Filipino surfer to qualify for the WSL Challenger Series, elevating Philippine surfing to the global stage.
His instinctive knowledge of Cloud 9, sharpened by years of competition, makes him the perfect representative for the Philippines in its inaugural Championship Tour event along with Jayuard Alciso and Mara Lopez, who likewise secured wildcard berths.
“Honestly, I’d be happy to surf with anyone. Just sharing the lineup with the best surfers in the world is already an honor. If I had to choose, I’d love to surf against Gabriel Medina or Italo Ferreira,” Tokong said. “That would be added to my core memories.”
As WSL APAC President Andrew Stark noted, “Marama has become synonymous with Cloud 9 over the past decade, and there is no better person to represent the Philippines in the country’s first Championship Tour event.”
From Oct. 30 to Nov. 8, Marama Tokong, the King of Cloud 9, will stand tall on surfing’s grandest stage, ready to show the world that Filipino surfers belong among the elite.
