La Union surfer rules Billabong-backed tilt in hometown

MANILA, Philippines - Jay-R Esquivel didn't wait too long to become a champion. Just four years after choosing surfing as his career, the 12-year-old found himself at the pinnacle of the sport after he dethroned Philmar Alipayo of Siargao in a closely fought final round in the 2008 Billabong Grommet Surfing Championship recently. Esquivel used a combination of hacks, turns, floaters and aerials, as the South China Sea dished out four-foot waves that pounded the sandy bottom beach of San Juan, La Union. A La Union native, Esquivel was hardly bothered by the venue's familiar conditions, sailing along the waves and putting on a show in front of the hometown crowd. "To win a new surfboard, that's the best thing I'm getting from this," said the youthful Esquivel, who received a brand new Anacapa surfboard from Aloha Boardsports on top of his trophy. Asian Beach Games silver medalist Luke Landrigan, Indonesian junior champion Raditya Rondi, Stoked Inc. president JV Borromeo and head judge Marco Villareal praised the 46 competitors in the 16-year-old and below category. "Jay-R was very patient as well as confident, knowing how to choose the right waves and which maneuvers to make," Villareal said. "I have seen a remarkable progress with the kids. With better equipment and the ability to travel to compete, the standard is rising rapidly," Villareal added. - GMANews.TV