The 2019 SEA Games competition in the Philippines not only conveys the achievements of the athletes who advanced in the match. It also leaves an interesting story about the heroic action of a Filipino surfer who saved Indonesian surfing athletes.
In fact, at that time Roger was only one step to get the victory of gold medal. Yet, he chose to turn around to save the Indonesian surfer, Arip Hidayat, whose rope was released. The action received many responses from various parties.
Not a few Indonesian netizens who thanked Roger for his actions through Roger’s Instagram account. “Roger Casugay is a real athlete. Utmost respect from Indonesia, Bro”, wrote the @achmad_lanang account. “Thank u, Roger. Your heart is really like a diamond … you already make your country Philippine proud in the whole world … thank you from Indonesia,” said @ jansen7715.
Roger Casugay himself is a professional surfing athlete from La Union Philippines who was born on March 10, 1994. Reporting from the official website of the SEA Games, the representative athlete from the Philippines has a weight of 58 kg and 158 cm high.
Past Participation
Roger is one of the best-known surfing athletes who often participate in national and international competitions. One of them is the RAST longboard championship in 2017 which was participated in by various countries held in La Union Philippines.
In addition he had participated in a match held by PSCT in Lanuza and Cabugao in 2018 and won the third national champion. This year in October, Roger who participated in the 9th match Guiuan Odyssey Waves surfing competition was also crowned as the first champion.
In November 2019, Roger again showed his ability by becoming the first champion in the men’s longboard category in the La Union PSCT competition. PSCT is a major professional surfing competition where top surfers from all over the Philippines compete with each other to get the top position in the national surf team.
Netizen Reaction
Roger’s action, not only received reaction from Indonesian netizens, but also positive reactions from Filipinos. “At La Union we have a local surfer, a humble and professional surfer from Bacnotan named Casugay,” the Dew Luis account said through his social media as reported by Tempo Nes Philipines.
Casugay also considered his actions might not produce gold, but what he did had shown the heart of the Philippines to the world community. “What makes the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines great is not the glitter of greatness. But all about the heart behind it. In times of danger, Filipinos will put their hearts first, they won’t think twice about doing the right thing, “Freddie Lazaro said.
