Tanauan riders rule national Skimboarding competition

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
April 12, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The 3rd National Skimboarding Competition successfully ended with the festive awarding ceremonies and reggae party with four live bands, which lasted up to the wee hours in the morning.

Lording the Open Competition is defending champion Dariel Espada of Tanauan, Leyte who got his third championship trophy this year. Coming in as first runner up is his own brother Leo Espada and the second runner up Ricky Bañez who is also from Tanauan. Lemuel Cobacha who collided with another skim rider and hurt his foot got the third runner up trophy. Another skim rider from Tanauan, Obet Yanuario received the fourth runner up trophy.

The Wahini (Women’s) Category was won by Sheryl Pajelleno of Tanauan as the Champion, Kikay Espada of Tanauan as first runner up, Tina Cumpio of Tanauan as the 2nd runner up and Charmie Ann Deliarante of Talisay, Cebu as the 3rd runner up.

In the Groumet Category, Carl Gabas of Tanauan claimed the championship trophy. Nico Cobacha of Tanauan was the first runner up while Arjun Jimenez of Talisay, Cebu was the second runner up. Rolly Abarca of Tanauan was the third runner up while Herold Vargas of Tanauan was the fourth runner up.

The trophies and the cash prizes were presented to the winners by Mayor Roque Tiu assisted by Vice Governor Mimyet Bagulaya and PIA Director Olive Tiu.

To the awe of the huge crowd, the Champions in the three categories were given by Mr. Castillo of Victoria, P20,000.00 worth of skimboard, skim bag, skim pads and waxes. All the runner ups were also given skim pads and waxes.

Mr. Castillo also announced that he is making true the promise to bring the Open Champion to Laguna Beach, all expenses paid, to observe skimboarding in the United States.

Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu said the success of the Competition inspires the local government officials and the provincial officials together with the sponsors to make it even bigger and better next year.

Vice Governor Mimyet Bagulaya who represented the provincial government of Leyte said that the Sangguniaang Panlalawigan will support the Governor and the Local government of Tanauan in really making Tanauan the skimboarding capital of the country by echoing the dream of Governor Petilla and Mayor Tiu to improve the area and to put up more permanent facilities and structures in order to attract more people.

The Department of Tourism through Director Karen Tiopes, assured Mayor Tiu and the public that the Department will do all it could in order to make Tanauan, truly the skimboarding capital  of the Philippines.

The certificates of Appreciation to the Skimboarding Groups were presented by Mayor Roque Tiu assisted by Vice Governor Mimyet Bagulaya, DOT Director Karen Tiopes and Mr. Niccolo Castillo of Victoria Skimboards of Laguna Beach, California.

Presenting the Plaques of Appreciation to the principal sponsors and the judges from the Philippine Skim Association were Mayor Tiu, Vice Governor Mimyet Bagulaya and PIA Director Olive Tiu.

Also present during the awarding ceremonies, was An Waray Partylist representative, Congressman Bembem Noel, who is also one of the sponsors.