HOMESTRETCH: Surfing legends make history in Siargao

From a little-known island to a global stage, Cloud 9’s world-class waves capture the charm of Filipino culture and talent

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – The top 40 surfers in the world made Siargao a global stage.

As the Philippines hosted the 11th stop of the World Surf League’s 2026 Championship Tour for the first time, the best international surfers got a chance to experience the world-class waves of Cloud 9 in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte from October 31 to November 3.

Rounding out the 40 participants were the top four Filipino surfers who competed as wildcard entries for the Philippines Pro:

• 15-year-old Mara Lopez, who was born and raised in La Union
• 22-year-old French-Filipino Noah Arkfeld from Siargao
• 21-year-old and Siargao native Jayuard Alciso, who won bronze in the shortboard category of the 2026 Asian Games
• 30-year-old and top Filipino surfer John Mark ‘Marama’ Tokong

The Filipinos defied expectations, with Alciso and Tokong reaching Round 2 of the competition.

Brazil’s Gabriel Medina and United States’ Caitlyn Simmers claimed the top honors in the men’s and women’s category, respectively.

In this episode, HOMESTRETCH host Pató Gregorio speaks with the country’s bets — the four Filipinos who proved that they’re among the sport’s exciting discoveries, growing up in these previously little-known islands and eventually taking on the biggest names in world surfing.

Gregorio also chats with World Surf League Asia and Pacific president Andrew Stark on how the Philippines Pro came to be, sharing their thoughts on the Philippine surfing community, and what the country’s hosting means for the sport.

HOMESTRETCH tells stories of people whose struggles and triumphs inspire others, along with the places that help define the Filipino spirit.

Watch on Sunday, November 8, 8 pm, on Rappler’s YouTube channel. – Rappler.com