by Robert E. Roperos

General Luna, Siargao Island (September 21) -- Local surfer from this town is leveled to top surfers in the world.

Carlito Nogalo, a local resident of this town, is among the four surfers presented by Billabong International – Southeast Asia to local media in a press conference conducted on Saturday (Sept. 20) at Cabuntog Resort here in connection with the 14th-year staging of Siargao International Surfing Competition from September 20-26, 2008 at Cloud 9, in this town.

When asked what's his feeling being considered and leveled to top tube riders/surfers in the world, Nogalo said "it's a great feeling to be with the three top surfers" referring to Wade Goodall of Australia who is the defending champion, Dylan Longbottom (Australia) and Jayson Shibata (Hawaii).

Nogalo also said being the best surfer requires proper discipline and perseverance. "In order to excel, you must be physically and mentally prepared", he said.

Meanwhile, Australian's Dylan Longbottom is a famed free-surfer and super-shaper in his own right. He has been living within foam-blowing distance to the snapper takeoff spot for four years now and has his sleds under the feet of a bunch of local guys' boards.

Hawaii's Jayson Shibata, on the other hand, is a third-timer in the Siargao International Surfing competition. In his previous interviews, he said he was fascinated with the waves of Siargao that made him participate in this annual surfing event in Siargao without having a second thought.

With Longbottom and Shibata's presence in the Siargao Surfing Cup this year plus the expertise of our very own Nogalo, they are considered a threat and close-rival of defending Champion Goodall, also a fellow Australian.

A total of 48 local and foreign surfers compete in this week-long tourney considered as the most prestigious international surfing competition in the country.