Australia's Molly Picklum and Siargao's John Mark Tokong head to the Philippines' first World Surf League Championship Tour event

The Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 in Siargao, the first World Surf League Championship Tour event held in the Philippines, is scheduled from 31 October to 10 November, with Australia's Molly Picklum leading the women's rankings and local surfer John Mark 'Marama' Tokong given a wildcard.

Some of the world's leading professional surfers, including Australia's Molly Picklum, are preparing to compete at the Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 in Siargao, The Philippine Times reported. The competition is scheduled from 31 October to 10 November and marks the first time the Philippines has hosted an event on the World Surf League's top-tier Championship Tour.

The World Surf League said Picklum leads the women's rankings and wears the Yellow Leaders Jersey heading to Cloud 9. The event, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, is scheduled to bring together 24 male and 16 female competitors.

Siargao local John Mark 'Marama' Tokong has been awarded a WSL wildcard into the event at his home break. The WSL said Tokong has won the Siargao International Surfing Cup at Cloud 9 four times and in 2023 became the first Filipino surfer to qualify for the WSL Challenger Series.

"It was honestly hard to believe at first; getting the chance to compete in a CT event at my home break is one of my biggest dreams," Tokong said in the WSL announcement. The Philippine Times said the event also provides an opportunity to strengthen sporting connections between the Philippines and countries with established surfing communities, including Australia.

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