All eyes will be on 13-year-old Cathleya Casals in the Baler International Pro QS 4000 andLQS 1000 that puts Sabang Beach on the world surfing map anew from 17 to 23 November.

Casals, who’s been riding Sabang’s waves since she was five, leads a fiery Baler and local contingent in the competition — the second in the four-leg World Surf League (WSL)-organized Philippine series that started two weeks ago in General Luna in Siargao off Cloud 9.

With Casals — ranked No. 17 in the WSL world junior tour alongside compatriots Kaila Jane de la Torre and Mara Lopez — are Neil Sanchez, Allen Magos, John Mark Tokong, Nilbie Blancada and Eduardo Alciso, as well as longboard specialists Mark Agila and Warren Valenzuela.

John Carby, technical director of the official Philippine license holder and event operator SDMI Sports, said the strong Philippine presence in Baler that lured more than a hundred top surfers in the region, makes the competition high-octane.

“But don’t count what Baler offers,” said Carby ahead of the competition supported by Bagong Pilipinas, Philippines Sports Commission headed by John Patrick “Patò” Gregorio and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. with official radio partner RX 93.1, NYC, LGU Baler, ASRAI, Kudo Surf, Vissla, Costa Pacifica, Sulong and the Department of Education.

“Baler is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines with unique sand bottom waves that make surfing more intense and competitive,” Carby said. 

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to see the competition off the elegant Sabang Beach.”