skimboarding (last dakan gayud, 'mor pa!)

As i wrote earlier in this blog, serendipity started it all!

Last summer we went to the backside of the cemetery near Bongtud to see the extent of damage wrought on tombs by huge waves. Done, we didn't back track, instead we walked along the shore toward the FMES area. And that was when we saw boys riding the wash of waves in their crude woodie board.

Impressed and wanting to inspire them, I told them to practice and make good for we might organize a skimboarding competition come Araw ng Tago. Because it was nothing but a whimsical spur-of-the-moment statement, I forgot about it. But what did i know? Two weeks before Araw ng Tago, these boys looked for me to ask me of my promise. Without hesitation I said it's a go!

Leap of faith, yes!

That night my mind went on maximum overdrive. By daybreak, I had my blueprint.

Early that day, I sent a text message to Gov. Johnny T. Pimentel, saying I need P15,000.00 for prizes and trophies. He texted back, saying he would shoulder it. Just like that.

I sent another text message to Engr. Nick Laurente and his wife Bebels, saying I want SK-Tago to be a co-sponsor of the activity and as such, SK should shoulder the cost of two snacks and one lunch for 70 people. (Their daughter Dimple is the SK Federation Chair of Tago.) The ever reliable husband-and-wife team said no problem, even adding that SK-Tago would pay for the tarpaulin. Just like that.

I prepared a nice and novel solicitation letter and asked Mayora Tata Pimentel (who earlier had joined the "I-Love-Tago" Movement) if it was okay to send one to Cong. Philip A. Pichay. (Remember that if there's one thing I hate with a passion, it's soliciting for funds.) She said she would handle it, adding that Mayor Henrich said that he would review the budget of Araw ng Tago to see if he could take charge of the balance of our event's budget. Cong. Pichay and Mayor Pimentel would later shell out P10,000.00 and P10,500.00. Just like that.

Though I made solicitation letters for the Vice Governor and all SP members, I only sent two for Vice-Gov. Mange Alameda and his son, SDS SK Federation Chair JR Alameda. They gave P5,000.00. Just like that.

The next day I was chatting with US-based Gemmadel Medrano, a fellow Seagull,and mentioned to her the event. She said she'd give P2,000,00. Another Seagull Emily Patrimonio gave P400.00. Just like that.

Out of respect, I sent solicitation letters to all members of the Municipal Council of Tago. Only Vice Mayor Alex Bautista (P200.00), SB Tata Yu (P500.00) and SB Al Espinoza (P500.00) showed support. Another solicitation letter to Ex-Mayor Jun Pimentel yielded P1,000,00.

Mayora Tata Pimentel and Ms. Gingot Dolon-Insame conceptualized and actualized the unique trophies made of stenciled tin mounted on narra driftwood. Mayora also made the bannerettes, flaglets, and wind cones that made the venue festive. Special mention to Mayor Roxanne Pimentel for lending us the tent that sheltered our judges. A lot of nameless people supported the event and we couldn't thank them enough.

The Statement of Receipts and Disbursements, now a matter of public record, showed a surplus of P13,020.00. (Because it came after the preparation of the financial statement, the P250.00 printing cost of thank-you card charged by Bag-ong Subang is yet to be deducted.)

"I-Love-Tago" Movement made the 1st Tago Skimboarding Competition happen.

thank you so much

The 1st Tago Skimboarding Competition was successful because of the following, thus:

* Hon. Johnny T. Pimentel (15,000.00);
* Hon. Philip A. Pichay (10,000.00);
* Hon. Henrich M. Pimentel (10,500.00);
* Hon. Manuel O. Alameda Sr. (3,000.00);
* Hon. Manuel F. Alameda Jr. (2,000.00);
* Hon. Nneka Marie P. Laurente (for taking care of food and snacks and tarp);
* Ex-Mayor Hermenegildo P. Pimentel Jr. (1,000.00);
* Hon. Alejandro S. Bautista Jr. (200.00);
* Hon. Wilfredo M. Yu (500.00);
* Hon. Aloysius R. Espinoza (500.00);
* Ms. Gemmadel L. Medrano (2,000.00);
* Ms. Emily O. Patrimonio (400.00) ;
* Ms. Roxanne C. Pimentel (for lending us the tent);
* Dr. Earl Cloyd Mira (for judging the contest);
* Mr. Veni Vidi Vici Suarez (for judging the contest);
* Mr. Rey Mcfe Tutor (for judging the contest);
* Ms. Maria Isabel P. Dolon-Insame (for facilitating some things even if she's in Quezon City);
* Ms. Victoria L. Quinonez;
* Engr. Vidal M. Luna (for providing the "portable sounds" during the opening);
* Mr. Junde Espinoza (for promoting the tilt on FM radio);
* Mr. Richie Lisondra and Ms. Mekmek Cruz (for facilitating the release of Gov. Pimentel's commitment);
* Ms. Anelie Manzano (for facilitating the release of Mayor Pimentel's commitment);
* Barangay Council of Purisima (for acting as fund conduit);
* Hon. Jug Gundran (for reading the contest mechanics during the program)
* PNP personnel (for controlling the crowd);
* Drivers of dumptruck and service vehicle;
* Casual employees (for doing tasks we couldn't do ourselves);
* Trisikad drivers;
* Mariele's governess;
* Prayer warriors (for bending their knees for the activity to enjoy fine weather);
* Nameless others who, without our knowledge, did something that contributed to the success of the tilt;

and most specially,

* the skimboarders who provided us with great entertainment!

WE OWE YOU BIG! Thank you very much.


I-LOVE-TAGO Movement
***
Ms. Maria Elena P. Dolon-Pimentel
Engr. Nicolas C.Laurente
Ms. Belen C. Pareja
Romel M. Oribe

jevan, the skimboarder

Jevan is a child of the sea. And when skimboarding began gaining popularity this side of the Pacific Ocean, he practiced day and night and became good at it. Now he’s an unbeatable force in the Grommet category of skimboarders 13 years old and below.

A poor fisherfolk’s son from Bongtud-Tandag, Jevan’s skimboard was made from a piece of marine plyboard washed onshore when a Cebu-bound cargo ship capsized near Mancagangi Island three Decembers ago.

Jevan joined the 1st Tago Skimboarding Competition as “expert” because there was no grommet category. Easily he won the hearts of spectators both with his skimboarding skill and his honesty to show what he really is----a poor boy who wants to excel in a water sport he has learned to master!



Unlike his opponents, Jevan wore no board shorts because he had none. What he had was a faded black jersey shorts whose seat had holes. As a rule, surfers and skimboarders don’t wear briefs (don’t ask me why), but because his shorts had holes in them, Jevan wore formerly-white briefs with bacon waistband.

When it was his turn to hit the waves, that was when Jevan turned into a riot. Poised on a mound of slate-gray sand meters from the shore, he would then clutch at his woodie board with two ebony hands and run toward the waves. But halfway through it, his shorts and briefs would fall and his other hand would be quick to pull them back to prevent himself from riding the waves in full monty.

Laughters! Whistles! Claps!

Tiny and fragile-looking, Jevan rode the wave like a flotsam: light, graceful, and pliant. Though he had to tug perpetually at his shorts and briefs from the impact of onrushing waves as he flipped and glided, Jevan still managed to enter the semis. Eventually he lost to much better and older skimboarders.

Jevan may have won a petty sum of two-hundred pesos for performing the best long-ride, but deep within him he knew he won big by captivating the hearts of Tagon-ons!

See you next year, Jevan!

the 1st tago skimboarding competition made waves

Take that to mean literally and figuratively!

The 1st Tago Skimboarding Competition unfolded on 13 August 2011 at 9:00 in the morning at Tago shoreline before a crowd of at least 300. The weather would have been perfect if not for a slight shower. And when it finally improved, the wind turned gusty, the better for the waves to form and for the multi-colored bannerettes, flaglets, and wind cones to unfurl in full splendor, thus transforming the venue into an arresting setting that could only come from the glossy pages of Mabuhay magazine.

The competition had beginners (exclusive for Tagon-ons) and expert categories (open to all), with 13 and 20 skimboarders composing the two sets. Judges were themselves both skimboarders and surfers, namely: Dr. Earl Cloyd Mira (Chair) and Messrs. Veni Vidi Vici Suarez and Rey Mcfel Tutor as members.

Donning a horizontally striped shirt that matched his Nikes, Mayor Henrich Pimentel arrived just in time for the short opening program to start. In his welcoming remarks, the mayor congratulated the organizers and made a pitch of making Tago the sport and adventure destination. When he added that the 2nd Tago Skimboarding Competition may come sooner that we all think, the crowd, most especially the skimboarders, applauded.

When the program ended, it was already low tide and the waves had receded, creating a sandbar in front. The judges decided to have the elimination round done in “free-style.” But first, they made the skimboarders perform a long ride (a special award) in a “kawa-kawa” just behind the makeshift tent that Ms. Roxanne C. Pimentel lent the organizers.

After the skimboarders drew lots to determine which heat they belonged, the competition began!

The thin wash of waves limited the skimboarders to execute some power moves, but still they enthralled the spectators, eliciting even ahhs and ohhhs from them. When all heats were done, the skimboarders, the judges, and the organizers went to the residence of Engr. Nick Laurente for some buffet lunch that included a lechon.

While the skimboarders and judges were enjoying their lunch, the waves at Tago shoreline began to grow and form beautifully. And by the time the riders hit the shores again, the sun was shining brightly and the Pacific Ocean was ready to provide the waves the players wanted.

And so the stage for high performance skimboarding was set!

From the semis to the finals, the waves were superb and the crowd had grown thick and more appreciative, just the way the skimboarders wanted them.

As the skimboarders romanced the waves and gave the performance of their lives, the audience clapped, cheered, and shouted their admiration. And surely, with the way the skimboarders did some power moves, the sea gods must’ve been flipping their fins in glee and screaming their gills hoarse!

When it was time to give out the awards, the spectators were clapping hard, giving a clear message that they agreed with the decision of the board of judges.

Mike Menardo was the champion (P2,00.00 with trophy) in the beginners category with Earl Urbiztondo as 1st Runner-up (P1,500.00 with trophy) and Ariong Medrano as 2nd Runner-up (P1,000.00 with trophy). The awards for Best in Long-ride and Best in Wipe-out went to Mike Menardo and Yolob Ambray (P200.00 each). Aldon Pamogas won as champion (P3,000.00 with trophy) in the expert category with Jasor Ortiz as 1st Runner-up (P2,500.00 with trophy) and Crisanto Cuizon as 2nd Runner-up (P2,000.00 with trophy). The awards for Best in Long-ride and Best in Wipe-out went to Jevan Judol and Jasor Ortiz (P200.00 each). Jaysor Ortiz also won the award for Best Woodie Skimboard, adding P200.00 to his winnings.

Ms. Tata Dolon-Pimentel, the mayor’s wife, made the unique trophies that combined tin and narra driftwood. Mrs. Belen Laurente took charge of the food so sumptuous the judges and the riders couldn’t help but say their profuse thanks over and over again.

The 1st Tago Skimboarding Competition was a project of SK Federation of Tago through Hon. Nneka Marie P. Laurente, LGU-Tago through Hon. Henrich M. Pimentel, Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur through Hon. Johnny T. Pimentel, Congressional Office through Hon. Philip A. Pichay, and the newly-organized and soon to be a foundation “I-Love-Tago” Movement headed by Romel M. Oribe, with members Maria Elena P. Dolon-Pimentel, Nicolas C. Laurente and Belen P. Laurente. Other benefactors include Vice Governor Manuel O. Alameda Sr., SK Provincial Federation Chair Manuel Alameda Jr., Ex-Mayor Hermenegildo P. Pimentel Jr., Hon. Alejandro S. Bautista Jr., Hon. Aloysius R. Espinoza, Hon. Wilfredo M. Yu, Ms. Mari Isabel P. Dolon-Insame, Engr. Vidal M. Luna, and Seagulls Ms. Gemmadel L. Medrano and Ms. Emily O. Patrimonio. DJ Brother Jay also helped in promoting the event in his radio program.

The 1st Tago Skimboarding Competition was successful in educating Tagon-ons about a new sport. But what is more significant is that the event made use of Tago’s natural resource that for the longest time had been thought of as something fearful and deadly. Another age-old urban legend had been dispelled!

And because the 1st Tago Skimboarding Competion made waves, the time has come for Tago to ride the crest and make a big splash in sports tourism!

******
(Note: for complete photos of the skimboarding competition, go to the FB walls of Maria Elena P. Dolon-Pimentel, Glynda and Romel M. Oribe.)