Forty-three (43) sportfishing enthusiasts from all over the Philippines joined in the recently concluded Samal’s 2nd sport-fishing tournament, one of the highlights of this year’s Summer Saya sa Isla 2023, held on May 13–14, 2023. The activity aims to promote sustainable fishing on the island through angling.
Among the competitors, Kim Francis Corros, who caught a massive amberjack weighing 8.6 kg, hailed as the champion and won a P10,000 cash prize. Kai Mauricio was the first runner-up with his catch, a grouper (Lapu-lapu) weighing 7 kg, and brought home a P5000 cash prize. Jay Yap, who caught amberjack weighing 6.65kg, declared as second runner up with a cash prize of P3000. Aside from cash prizes, the winners were given trophies and special prizes from the activity sponsors.
The boatmen of the winning anglers were also awarded with cash prizes and plaques of recognition. Jomar Allah, boatman of the champion angler, received P5000, Jemhar Ismael received P3000, and Paul John Balmas took home P2000, hailed as 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Heaviest Accumulated Catch category was won by Kai Mauricio with a total weight of 10.55 kg of grouper and silver and channel Scabbardfish (Diwit), bringing home a cash prize of P5000.
City Mayor Al David T. Uy, duly represented by Kaputian District Deputy Mayor Rolando Silawan, congratulated the facilitators and participating anglers for the accomplishment of the competition. He also looks forward to more anglers coming from the different cities to join in the future sportfishing tournaments on the island.
“I hope na kining atong Samal Sportfishing tournament, dili lang ni karun kun dili ikaduha na ni, ug sa umaabot na laing katuigan , anaa gihapon kini”, Deputy Mayor Silawan added.
The 2-day event was made successfully possible by the collaborative effort of the local government of Island Garden City of Samal through the City Investment and Tourism Office, City Agriculture’s Office-Fisheries Division, City Public Order and Safety Office, Philippine Coast Guard-IGACOS, and Sutukil Anglers Club, with the support of international sponsors from Qatar and China. (CIO-IGACOS/NBC/Photos:ChristianJuntong)