Thanks millie. Maybe I'll look into this. It's good to hear of a local Philippino shaper- importing boards is always very expensive and it's be a great benefit to have a local shaper. My AU friends spoke of some mall in Manila that sold boards, and they just rolled their eyes   when I asked about the prices!  HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!!!

...Like surfboards in Paris- very expensive.  

This is how it is in most international cities away from the sea. Still, for the traveling pro surfer, of which the Philippines may see more of, the ability to buy a new board 'in transit' is crucial. Manila needs a real surf shop, with local shapers boards for sale at realistic prices. For anyone looking to start a business in Manila, it'd be worth considering...  

Who, me? Why, I'm from cyberspace! I'm actually a mixed breed of Anglo-Saxon, Parisian, Atlantisean, and, and... Superman! But don't worry- I am no part Magellan.  

OK- this is where I live...

Hi Mark! Regarding surfboard prices for a new board worldwide... Surfboards, especially new, are pretty expensive by anyone's standards just about everywhere in the world.   But I know that there have been a few factories recently in operation in Thailand and Japan that make hundreds of surfboards a day on machines. I know that sounds 'soul-less', but these boards are very durable and cost less than half of most standard, hand-shaped boards. As they are being manufactured in SE Asia- I believe there will soon be more surfboards in RP. millie- SF- you got it! So you've been here?

HeLLo Mr. OcEaN!!! I'm surprised so many of you Pinoys have been to SF - THAT's GREAT! Yes- there is a left point break right underneath the ][/glow]

The Philippines has a lot to benefit from native girl helping promote surfing there in a sensible way- so more power to, Millie!

Surf was heavy here in SF on Monday, with some big rights bowling into Ocean Beach. I think I duck dived about 100 waves (in 50 degree water!), but finally made it to the outside and caught some bombs!

My movie recommendation of the year:  Les Miserables, starring Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush. You all should rent it- you will not be disappointed!

I'm sorry to hear that Liam Neeson is anti-Filipino. It seems very out of character for him.

Millie- how can I see you product line? Do you have a website?

It's rainy and cool in SF today- but I am at work so no worries. Ciao!

Knefut- Correct assesment about the skill of a good actor/actress to masquerade their true self behind their assumed character- that's what makes a good actor. I know there are some bigoted people in English gentry still- this carries over from their imperialist history, unfortunately. Yet, most Brits are extremely progressive, and encourage civil rights and well-being for most foreigners (French aside)- just look at the recent anti-Iraq protests there- the biggest anti-war protest in British history. I have never met Mr. Neeson, but I will say this- he and Geoffrey Rush gave mind-blowing performances in 'Les Mis.'

The Philippines is a great place. There's a lot of nice people there, and there's a lot of bright

Hey PI locals. I hear there's a surf shop on Siargao that sells surfboards

PAL charges between $150 and $200 one way to transport a surfboard to/from the USA. They always charge going back to the States, but don't always charge going to PI. But if I am charges full baord transport fare, it will be between $300 and $400. THAT'S WHY IT MIGHT BE BETTER JUST TO BUY A BOARD THERE, THEN SELL IT AT A REASONABLE PRICE BEFORE I LEAVE

Georgshe... (Is that German for George?) Please try to learn something of the Philippines and its languages before you go. That takes a priority over learning about where the surf spots are near Manila. Once you know something of the place and culture you are visiting, about a 4 hour busride west of Manila is Batangas, which can have waves but only when a storm or typhoon (or big N swell) hits the South China Sea. Zambalas further to the north (about 6 hours from Manila) probably has better surf. On the right swell you may even find waves on Corrigedor Island... an hour by fastjet ferry from the wharfs off Roxas Blvd. near the PCC. On the West coast, forget about Quezon Province (Infanta) for the season. There's a million giant logs on the beaches and the dead are still washing ashore. But if you want to go and help with the recovery efforts, that would be the best way to get orientated in the Philippines.

OK Reccos thankx for the ETA clarifications. I didn't realize Zambales was just 3.5 hrs. from Manila. Probably the quickest way to surf from Manila is to go to the domestic terminal, fly up to Laoag, and go surf. The NW has more waves than Zambales. Does Cavite get waves the right typhoon swell? That's much closer than Batangas. Well Hawaii is getting hit by 10 foot surf as I write this (about 20 foot faces) and the swell's still on the rise. Supposed to double overnight!!!  

Hey reCcOs. I Live in SF But WiSh I WuS On OaHu RiGhT NoW To WAtCh Da EdDiE In PeRsOn! WeLL, MaVs Is SuRe To FoLLoW!!!  

Folks, from research and a few years of personal experience I can tell you that when some of these storms first come off of China and cross Japan (before they head across the Great Northern Circle path), they can send some big surf down that will at least get into the South China Sea. And when that happens (at least about once a month in winter), N adn NW Luzon can get some Hawaiian-style power.

Yeah, Mavericks should be pumping. A whale wahsed into the beach at Mavs though, and there were a lot of big great white sharks feeding on it and trying to get to when it washed through the surf. Just have to hope the waves are really big so the sharks get scared away fromt the surf zone! But doubel-O OB gives me enough poundings for the time being. Plus I'll be at Trestles this weekend.  Hats off to Peter Mel, Nor Cal representin' at the Eddie. He came in fifth place.  

Yea Mark I heard about that - terrible and spooky, indeed. For those who say that great whites don't like to eat people I say they better get their head out of their asses and face reality.   Regards.

I will not get into a row over if the Philippines has more power than the North Shore of Hawaii because I'd be a fool  to take such a positon.  Yet I've gotten hit hard by big waves at Cloud 9 and some unnamed reefbreaks up north that had just as much power as Hawaii in the winter. It all depends on the swell and the break. They don't compare C9 to Backdoor for nothing. As for the north, they take the brunt of many of the winter storms. If you are surfins a shallow reef break facing a powerful storm off Japan or Kamtcha that's sending surf directly at the coast, believe me, it's got some real N-Pac juice! The waves may not have as much time to wind up, but their raw energy can kick some serious butt. As per the helicopter tour, I was all set to go over late November but typhoon Nanmadol came and so the place I was going to go check out got whacked. Also the few private helicopter businesses were requested by the government to help with the rescue effort. Will have to try to reschdule much later during better days....        

White pointers eat everything from humans to seals to rubbish to license plates. I have seen the autopsies... and now just on Jaws. The tendency to show compassion and 'food chain science' with such a species cannot erase the fact that humans do get eaten by great white sharks, be it an 'accident' (the human turtle) or not. Here in America there is all this scientific mumbo jumbo that sharks don't to like to eat humans. That's a bunch of crap if you ask me. A big enough shark will gladly grub a Homo Sapien, no questions asked. BTW - this has nothing to do with mark's statements, which I agree with. And yes, condolences to the Peterson family who lost their son off Adelaide yesterday. As for hunting the sharks, sometimes a rogue shark will repeatedly frequent an area and attack humans. Such a rogue is often identifiable with some accuracy. This is common in Hawaii and like in Hawaii when a rogue tiger or bull shark stakes out its feeding ground at a popular surfing or swimming area, a big shark hunt ensues with locals and authorities alike happy to hunt down the 'recidivist' man-eater.