MANILA, Philippines?As I sit on the beach in San Juan, La Union, enjoying the salty sea breeze, I see a guy in a horse suit paddling out on a surfboard. I?m still pondering it when a man catches a wave with a red cape flying behind him, wearing nothing but black briefs. A bizarre sight opens up before me: a traffic enforcer is chatting with Charlie Chaplin while waiting for waves; a French woman in a googly-eyed costume that can only be meant to resemble a tarsier (It might?ve been the sign on her back saying ?I love Bohol? that gave it away) is paddling for a wave to the cheers of a cheerleader; while a ninja is sitting on her surfboard, goofing around with Shrek himself.

What?s going on? I thought I was here to attend a surfing competition?

But this isn?t just any surfing competition: It was organized by the Manila Surfers? Association, or MSA. There are surfers dressing up in crazy costumes and riding the waves because that?s what MSA is all about: having fun, and sharing the feel-good vibe that is at the heart of surfing, beyond all the surf gear and lingo.

MSA is a nonprofit organization started three years ago by people from Manila, drawn together by their love of surfing and desire to promote the sport. MSA represents a fast-growing community of Manila-based surfers who travel every weekend to surf spots like La Union, Baler, and Zambales. For them, surfing is an escape, a chance to let loose and be yourself, away from the stress of the corporate jungle. They say the best surfer is the one having the most fun. Manila surfers may not be pros, or hardcore, but after hanging out with them at their parties and competitions, I?d say MSA are champs in this arena.

And that?s why Lokos Only: The 3rd Manila Surfers? Cup is unlike any other surfing event. Held on the weekend of Feb. 23-24, 2008, and sponsored by Aloha Boardsports, Havaianas, Antonov Vodka, San Juan Surf Camp, and Little Surf Maid, the name says it all: Urging you to escape the everyday and be whatever you want to be, to go loko.

At the awarding ceremony for the intermediate competition on Saturday evening, winners from the Aloha Boardsports team, dominating the intermediate level, kept the spirit of camaraderie alive by donating their prizes, which included Dakine bags, Sticky Bumps traction pads, leashes, and surfboard wax, to the La Union Surf Club (LUSC), without whose help this event would have been impossible. After the awarding, everyone, winner or runner-up, competitor or spectator, partied under the full moon to the funk-happy sounds of Coffee Break Island and Cosmic Love.

As Sunday came around, beginners were given a chance to shine?with NSP longboards awaiting the champions. After the LUSC expression session, it was time for everyone?s favorite part of the event: the Loko-Loko costume session. Not surprisingly, the man clad in cape and underwear, aka. King Leonidas from the movie ?300,? won by popular vote, an accomplishment that might take him years to live down.

But fun can have a purpose. MSA introduced to the surfing community Green Zinc, an organization advocating the protection of our beaches. The show of support was literally visible as kids and adults alike painted their faces with, well, green zinc. Green Zinc donated a garbage-collection truck to the San Juan municipality and held a beach cleanup on Sunday morning, headed by Luli Arroyo herself, honorary chairperson of MSA, who also presided over the competition?s awarding ceremonies.

Catching waves in ridiculous costumes, competing in heats where friends cheer each other on, or even just hanging out on the beach, soaking in the sun and good vibes, there?s something special about this community.

In finding a place where one can truly get away from it all and be completely at ease, I think everyone came home a winner.

For anyone interested in surfing and MSA, check out http://manilasurfers.multiply.com, or e-mail them at msaregistration@yahoo.com.ph.