Tourism Undersecretary Ferdinand “Cocoy” Jumapao (3rd from left) and Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II (2nd from right) lead the opening of the 15th Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament in Pilar on Friday (April 11, 2025). The week-long competition features 32 competitors from seven nations fishing Siargao’s bountiful waters. (Photo courtesy of DOT Undersecretary Cocoy Jumapao’s Facebook page)
PILAR, Siargao Island — The 15th Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament officially reeled in its opening day on Friday, welcoming 32 top-tier anglers from seven countries to the vibrant waters of Surigao del Norte for a week-long sporting spectacle that runs until April 25.
The ceremonial kickoff at the Pilar Municipal Plaza was graced by notable figures, including Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas II—whose family founded the tournament in 2009—and Tourism Undersecretary Ferdinand “Cocoy” Jumapao.
“From modest beginnings, this tournament has evolved into the premier game fishing event in Asia,” said Rep. Matugas, as he highlighted the event’s growing international appeal. This year’s roster includes participants from the United Kingdom (three anglers), the United States and Canada (two each), and solo competitors from Sweden, Hungary, and New Zealand. The majority of this year’s participants—22 in total—are local fishing veterans hailing from various parts of the Philippines.
More than a competition, the tournament has become a vital part of Siargao’s eco-tourism identity, contributing an estimated PHP50 million to the local economy each year through tourism, hospitality, and related services.
In a move to reinforce its commitment to marine sustainability, this year’s edition introduces stricter conservation protocols. These include mandatory catch-and-release rules for all billfish species, satellite tagging for scientific research on migratory behavior, and a plastic-free policy across all tournament operations.
Former Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco “Lalo” Matugas, who spearheaded the first tournament in 2009, was in attendance alongside General Luna Mayor Sol Matugas, showing strong continued support for the event that helped shape Siargao into a global angling destination.