𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞, 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧 — The TIEZA San Vic Surf Cup, organized by the United Tourism Enterprise Association (UNITEA) and the Surfers Association of San Vicente Palawan (SASVP), with TIEZA as co-presenter, officially opened on 01 February 2026 at Barangay Alimanguan. Serving as the national competition of the 2026 San Vic Surf Fest, the event brings together the country’s top surfers and underscores San Vicente’s growing recognition as one of the premier surfing destinations in the Philippines.
The opening ceremony was led by Engr. Bernardo C. Alarilla, TIEZA representative and Administrator of the San Vicente Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (SVFTEZ). Festivities featured a live performance by local band Konek-Tibo and an inspiring message from Ms. Elaine Abonal, Bicolana international surfer and Surfista Coach based in Siargao. A welcome dinner followed, bringing together athletes, organizers, and stakeholders.
Day 1: National Elites Meet Local Talent
Competition opened with strong performances from national surfing standouts Philmar Alipayo, Jay-r Esquivel, Jomarie Ebueza, and Benito Nerida, among others. The tournament hosts 132 surfers, including under-13 competitors, with longboarders from La Union and shortboarders from Siargao sharing the lineup with emerging local athletes.
Fresh from topping the 2026 Last Frontier Invitational and securing a berth in the 2026 World Longboard Tour, Jomarie Ebueza claimed the TIEZA Wave of the Day for one of the highest-scoring rides of Day 1. Equally impressive runs were delivered by Edgar Calvo (Eastern Samar), Roldan Pacanor (Siargao), and La Union’s Jay-r and June Esquivel, widely regarded as benchmarks in Philippine longboarding.
Local pride ran high as five Palaweño surfers—Marion Bati-On, Jelloyd Flores, Jolas Batuta, John Michael Labanancia, and Jing Rey, advanced to Round 3 of the Men’s Longboard Division despite challenging conditions.
Day 2: High-Performance Surfing Takes Over
Day 2 saw consistent chest-high waves at Alimanguan Beach, setting the stage for explosive action in the Men’s Shortboard Division. Rogelio Esquivel Jr., currently ranked in the Top 8 of the World Surf League World Longboard Tour, earned the TIEZA Wave of the Day and the highest score of the competition so far after landing a near-perfect tail-high air reverse.
Siargao standouts Noah Arkfeld and Philmar Alipayo dominated their heats with powerful rail work and modern aerials, securing slots on Finals Day. In a breakthrough moment for the home crowd, local junior surfer Mc Justine Regalado advanced to the finals after outscoring seasoned competitors from Palawan and La Union.
The TIEZA San Vic Surf Cup forms part of the broader San Vic Surf Fest, a multi-day celebration of surfing, culture, and community running from 27 January to 8 February. The festival features three major components: the Last Frontier Invitational (international competition), the TIEZA San Vic Surf Cup (national competition), and Grom Revival (grassroots youth program), complemented by lifestyle events, arts and cultural showcases, hospitality activities, and nightly entertainment.
As the major sponsor of the national competition component, TIEZA holds naming rights to the event—now officially known as the TIEZA San Vic Surf Cup—underscoring its commitment to developing surf tourism while supporting both elite and grassroots surfing talent.