Press Release
December 11, 2019

SPONSORSHIP SPEECH FOR SENATE RESOLUTION COMMENDING FILIPINO SURFER ROGER CASUGAY FOR EXHIBITING ACTS OF HEROISM AND BRAVERY IN ORDER TO RESCUE AN INDONESIAN COMPETITOR DURING THE SURFING COMPETITION OF THE 30TH SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES-Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go

Mr. President,

An athlete's ultimate goal in any competition is to bag the gold medal. But on December 6, 2019, at the height of the men's longboard surfing competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Monalisa Point in San Juan, La Union, a Filipino surfer named Roger Casugay set aside that goal.

Casugay chose instead to help Arip Nurhidayat, his Indonesian competitor, who was being hit by big waves after his leash snapped and he was separated from his surfboard. Casugay made Nurhidayat climb up his board, and together, they rode to the safety of the shore and the applause of onlookers.

That moment is the epitome of the official slogan of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Roger Casugay showed us what "We Win as One" truly means. The Filipino people beamed with pride for his selfless act, which exemplified Filipino value of bayanihan.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who himself thanked Casugay, said it best: "Winning the competition and upholding sportsmanship is important, but humanity is above all."

It is therefore my honor and privilege to sponsor Senate Resolution No. 230 commending Filipino Surfer Roger Casugay for exhibiting acts of heroism and bravery in rescuing an Indonesian competitor.

Nais ko ring ibahagi na nang mapag-alaman ko ang kabayanihang ginawa ni Casugay, agad ko siyang kinontak sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang coach. Nagkausap kami sa telepono noong December 7 ng gabi at sinabihan ko siya na manalo man siya o matalo, makakatanggap siya ng Order of Lapu-Lapu Award mula kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

Ngunit kahapon, December 8, ipinakita ni Casugay na lahat ng maaari niyang gawin upang makagbigay karangalan sa ating bansa ay gagawin niya ang lahat, at nakamit nga ng ating dakilang surfer ang gold medal sa men's longboarding category.

Walang dudang si Casugay ang hero ng 30th Southeast Asian Games, (aside sa mga arnis ni Senator Migz Zubiri, at sa mga kickboxing ni Senator Tolentino). Lahat po ay hero para sa amin. In fact, bibigyan po ng award ni Pangulong Duterte lahat ng gold medalists, silver medalists, bronze medalists, sa Malacañang sa December 18. Pinaunlakan niya po ang ating imbitasyon na makasama siya ngayon, kaya hinihiling ko na bigyang pugay po natin siya.

In interviews, Casugay humbly said that it's normal for surfers to help one another. His statement gives us a glimpse of the spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie that exists within the surfing community. Thus we must also recognize the men and women who share the same passion with Casugay and helped form his character.

It is the first time that the SEA Games had surfing as one of the competitions conducted. With us today are the other other members of the Philippine Surfing Team who also brought immense pride and honor to our country, Nilbie Blancada, who bagged a Gold medal. Rogelio Esquivel, Silver; Jevy Mae Agudo, Silver lll; John Mark Tokong, Bronze; Daisy Valdez, two Bronze medals; Edito Alcala; Ian Saguan. Nandito po sila kasama ang kanilang coach na si Luke Landrigan at ang United Philippine Surfing Association President Dr. Jose Raul Canlas.

Team Surfing Philippines garnered the most number of medals in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games surfing match. We won a total of seven medals -- two gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Mabuhay po kayo! Ang puso, tapang at galing na inyong ipinakita ay nagpapatunay na karapat-dapat suportahan ang mga atletang Pilipino at pagtuunan ng pansin ang long-term sports development.

With the performance of the whole Philippine delegation, especially the heroic act and podium finish of Casugay, our hosting of the recently concluded sports event has been successful indeed. We did not only garner the most number of gold medals. We were also able to show to our neighbors and even the world the best of the Filipino athletes and the Filipino people.

Mr. President, my distinguished colleagues, it is for these reasons that I seek the Senate's approval of this proposed Senate resolution, commending Filipino Surfer Roger Casugay for exhibiting acts of heroism and bravery in rescuing an Indonesian competitor during the surfing competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Thank you.

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