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I have always maintained that there is magic in Baler, Aurora. There is a powerful, mystical magic that permeates not only the Sierra Madres but the town of Baler itself. If you respect it and honor it, it will reward you.
This has been proven to me time and time again, one surf trip after another. Never more so than our last trip there when, after almost seven years of just watching from the platform, I finally paddled out to Cementos. Not just paddled out but actually caught my first Cemento wave. Not only caught my first ride but actually caught my first ride on the first wave that I paddled for.
It wasn't epic. I never would've paddled out if it had been. It wasn't a fun size. I would have actually liked it to have been a bit bigger on the smaller sets. And yet, it was sooo much fun. Partly I think because, even at waist high, Cemento is powerful. And partly too because this was it -- I was popping my Cemento cherry. Finally.
And even though the photos of Manong Boatman did not capture the ride, I will never forget it. I will never forget what the nose of my board looked like as it slotted itself into the wall. The color of the ocean. The tip of my right foot. The sounds of everyone cheering behind me. Even the sensation of the wave finally dying out underneath me. I will never forget any of it.
Other highlights from the trip - - Fun sessions (albeit in kind of less-than-ideal conditions) at Sabang - Daily drives to Logbot and Charlie's to check for swell - The obstacle course right-hander at Logbot that Philip witnessed - Arvin's secret spot kainan on our way home - Sexy time with corals nila Phil, Kuya Jayps, Raf, Yuri and Super Perry - "Pating o. Gusto niyo?" - Rox and Kev's sunset couple's cruise - Room service kasi umuulan at tamad na kami bumaba
Cemento photos courtesy of Atty Ely. Sierra Madre photos courtesy of Atty Viva.
This is my official song for the last long weekend's trip to Baler. Sunshine, fun waves, great company and of course, the magic that can only be Baler's innate vibe. Whether it was just being happy to surf with friends (instead of bitching that the waves weren't as big as expected) or paddling back out along the shoulder of a wave that a friend is just about to drop on... or finally surfing a spot after seven years of watching it... the mood of this song encapsulated it all. It wasn't an epic trip but it was really steady and filled with good vibes.
This is an intro to the article I did for the Philippines Yearbook 2008 whose theme for the year is Travel and Adventure. Filled with informative activities throughout this awesome archipelago, supported by excellent photography from some of the country's best, the book as a whole is an excellent addition to any bookshelf. It makes a great gift as well.
This article has photos of Jeff dela Torre, Django Mendoza and Corey Wills.
Apocalypse Wow: Baler, Aurora Text by: Kage Gozun Photos: Ivan Sarenas and Kage Gozun
Baler is the capital of the province of Aurora. The political and economic center of this historic province has long called to those drawn by the call of the wild.
The journey truly begins at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Driving along its cliffside roads is breath taking for two reasons: the overgrown foilage makes for spectacular scenery and the deep ravines a few feet away from the edge of the road makes for some nervous driving.
The drive is well worth it. The town is as rich in history as the mountains are in giant ferns and vibrant trumpet flowers.
In 1735, a wave struck this town and completely eradicated it. The destruction it left in its wake, and the fact that nearby areas where left virtually intact has become the stuff of legend. Slowly, the surviving inhabitants began to rebuild the town, first known as Kinagunasan. By the later 1730s, Spanish clergy had set up shop. To this day, there is evidence to the strong ties Baler has with its Spanish roots. Among them are the annual Filipino-Spanish Friendship Day and the presence of the Baler Catholic Church, where Spanish troops held the American soldiers at bay during the later 1800s. The town that had once been wiped off the face of the earth by a freak wave fell under American rule in 1900.
It was the existence of waves that drew another historical figure to the town of Baler. Back in the late 70's, Francis Ford Copolla himself set up shop along one of Baler's rivermouths and shot key scenes to his hit film Apocalypse Now. Among these scenes was the infamous surfing sequence along Charlie's Point. The film wrapped up, Copolla flew out with his wife in tow and the crew left behind the first surfboards ever to be used in Baler.
Gloomy Baler weekend for Aya's first despidida. Only one day of surf where it took me an hour to get out during the morning session. Moro, Aya, Dom and I were all on borrowed boards. JB didn't even have a board at all. Then Tin's new board came with faulty screws, which led to the immortal phrase of the weekend "All I need is a long screw." Hahahaha.
The afternoon session had a majority going to Cemento and me, Moro, Del, Raf and Aerika staying behind to surf the beach. By sunset, it was raining haaaaard.
Sunday was pouring down rain and howling winds. So for the first time ever, we were out of Bay's Inn before lunch. And yet it still took us 10 freakin' hours to get to Manila. Why? Well... first there was the rickety bridge incident. Then Raf's front tire bearing decided to call an early retirement. Then Philip's rear tire went flat. I'm just glad nothing more adventurous happened to us (like landslides and getting swept away by the raging rivers).
We are Surfer, even when there's hardly any surf to be had. (We are Surfer is a trademark of Paeng de Leon)
This album was supposed to be called "Surf Trumps Lola" for reasons only Vic can truly explain. ;)
Roxy and Tin are introduced to Baler. The swell shifted while we were driving through the Sierra Madres towards Baler. And instead of the green that was waiting for us, we were met by a rather bluer shade of swell. Oh well.
Small but fun sessions at a break that went left on Saturday then right on Sunday. Low tide, current and mini-barrels. Getting used to the 6'0 Xanadu. Eating at GERRY SHAN's!!!
Sorry not a lot of surf shots. I was making the most of whatever waves we could get.
Some photos that I nicked from Mons' gallery. I'll add pa from her Day 2 gallery when she uploads them.
She wrote something in her intro that made me smile. "Life is indeed like surfing. No matter how long or short your ride may be, it's how you're able to catch and survive those waves and enjoy your rides." Nicely said Mons.
There is peace and freedom in surfing. There is also frustration and the occassional extreme wipeout. But mostly we remember that it's about having fun and playing. This particular group has become addicted to the pursuit of waterplay. ;)
These photos are from Sunday morning and were taken by JP Sarmiento with a little post-processing from me.
Pop Up, Close Out Sessions. Appreciating the gift of a wall. Wishing JP had gotten at least one of my walling waves. Seeing Aerika becoming more and more addicted. Philip's floaters (yihee). Sunblock, sunblock, sunblock. And of course, some of our funniest wipeouts ever.
This is a long ass intro. But I'm going to write it out anyway. ;)
You know how you learn a new skill? And then later on you realize you've lost the touch and you arent as on the money with that skill as you used to be? It could be a grande jete, or a 3 point shot, or an au sem mao... and it frustrates you cos you know you can do it... you've done it before... how come it's so hard to do it now? Well, that's basically how I've been feeling lately with my pop-ups and my walls.
So the mission for the weekend was to relearn those skills, fix the mistakes I am making before they become bad habits. The first morning was frustrating and then after lunch we saw that the beach break was working... and even though Dom and I hadn't slept for over 24 hours, we went out to play. Aya stayed near me to make sure I stayed focused. And I fixed the problems!... the popping up, the turning so you slot yourself into the wall... committing to those drops. All of that. To make it even better, everyone was getting good waves too. Aya's frontside is looking better and better. Dom is dialing into that retro fish so well. Nicola, Tin, Kim, Mons, Aerika and Raf joined us later and made the line-up even more fun. Too bad there are no photos cos the boys were all asleep.
By far, one of the most memorable trips to Baler with the Band of Brothers.
These are just the snapshots taken with the Pentax OptioW30. The action shots taken by Coy and JP will be in another album.
Super highlights? 1. That Saturday afternoon session. I stayed out until it was too dark to see. "Too tired to paddle, too stoked to stop." Nica and Aya win for coming up when the stars were coming out. :) 2. Trying to hang on to six boards on the back on the pick-up with Philip. 3. Raf getting smacked by a center fin... and snapping the center fin clean off the board with his cheek. 4. Dom to Aerika "Paddle!" (Aerika paddles) Dom again "You're not paddling!" 5. Watching Saddam demolish waves AND a bottle of Nutella 6. Vic playing along with "Astro" by Sago on the car horn as we sped through the Sierra Madres 7. The group photo with Gerry Shan the Man! 8. Pop up Close out sessions at "Lubot" 9. Using Pandora again. First time since November. 10. Twenty people for one Baler trip, a record breaking cast.
Shot by Aston Sarmiento. Edited by WOOF Productions. Surfers in action: Vic Gamboa, JP Sarmiento, Miko Sarmiento, Moro Gandawali, Abdel Elecho, Saddam Faraon, Carlo Cruz, Lui Tortuya, Paolo Soler, Corey Wills, Okoy Rojo, Hawaiian Jim, and Jeff dela Torre
After a week and half vacationing in Manila, our favorite Baler Power Grom said goodbye. Pizza, crazy rain and Japanese pranks. We'll miss you Sadam... see you in Baler!
Akaw! The very first longboard comp to be held in Baler. Partial photos. Light was iffy so a lot of the photos I decided to delete. The rest to be uploaded next week, including the finals heats of all the divisions.
I actually joined this comp because I figured it was a zero pressure situation -- first, it was a longboard comp and everyone knows I dont really know how to use longboard and second, I had zero expectations for myself. All I knew was that I wanted to get at least one wave naman during my heat. Plus I had a full day to get used to using a longboard and paddling for the super baby waves. Super fun, super zero stress. In fact, so stoked that I decided after this trip to seriously consider getting a longboard to widen my "quiver."
The one thing wrong with this trip? We didnt get to eat at Gerry Shan's. :( Haaay. No mapo tofu, no sweet & sour fish, no buttered chicken. Sadness. Pero may Bay's Inn Onion Rings naman so okay lang din.
March 10-11. Back in, you guessed it, Baler for another weekend of stoke. The waves may not have been epic but the stoke sure was.
Saturday was a bit windy come 10am so we surfed til about then (got super fun rides) and then everybody crashed 'til just past lunch. (Surfers, today we will dine at Gerry Shan's!). In the afternoon at Cemento was hella low tide so Dom, Aya and I strung up the hammock and enjoyed watching the tide pools for reef fish, octopus and herons. Woot, woot. The boys, by the way, had a good sesh.
Sunday morning and it was all sunshine, waist to head high glassy waves. Moro surfed with the big boys. The girls had our own patch of ocean that we had to ourselves (after Okoy left, that is). The band of brothers and Del staked out their own portion a little bit away. But not too far that we couldnt clearly see the fun waves they were getting.
Speaking of fun, Aya and I party waved once and it was so long we were able to actually have a conversation while we rode it. Haha. Love it.
We all finally came out only when it was obvious that we had to come up for food and water. Lunch at Bay's Inn. Packed up and loaded the cars. Home by 9pm. Good weekend.
There are almost no photos of waves or people one them because we were in the water like... all the time.
What: Two days in Baler. Epic swell. Epic food. Epic room. Epic-ness all around.
With: The Band of Brothers (Sarmiento and Gamboa), Moro, Raf, Marky and Olracs plus Team Dakine, Papajovs, Annie C, Vince "ST" Liwanag, Lets Get Piskal and Earlmoticon Noche.
What an insanely great weekend. We used the epic shortcut and took two hours off our travel time. We booked the epic room at Bay's Inn. The boys got epic rides at Cemento and then the rest of us got jealous so we left them there so we could surf the beach break and, later on, the rivermouth. (Na linakad namin at binato pa kami ng buhangin nung mga bata!) Di bale na na 36 hours yata akong gising at walang tulog... sobrang worth it yung puyat.
We ended that first day with an epic dinner at Gerry Shan's. Stoke all around I tell you.
Oh and Olracs got barrelled at Cemento but we have no photos cos that's when I was back at the beach break. There are, however, many eyewitnesses. So big ups to baby boy Olracs. ;)
Next up: Sunday photos and the nominations for the Epic Swell Awards. ;)
So we set the alarm for 5am... we eventually wake up at 5:30am... Olracs and Vic had a look and came back into the epic room to say it was hella raining and we could afford to sleep for another hour. By 8pm we were all mostly awake. Earl was already out there, the only longboard on a glassy (albeit rainy) morning. And Jovin paddled out to enjoy the inside section.
The Cemento Crew headed off for another epic session while Aston, Raf, JB and I decided to risk hypothermia and surf the beach break first. THATS WHY THERE ARE NO PHOTOS OF THE MORNING. WE WERE SURFING. ALL OF US. And despite the dumpy conditions later in the morning, stoked pa rin kaming lahat. No one though could possibly have been more stoked than Jovin.
Four hours later, it was time for lunch... and then a quick pack up and check out so we could go back to Cemento for one last shoot and surf session. Super high tide (Aston and I should've brought our boards). Super drop in sessions. Super super stoked.
Ahon nung madilim na with matching walk through the mangroves and almost getting lost. Dinner at Gerry Shan's with matching internet checking the forecast for next weekend. Back in Manila by 2am.
And now for the nominees of the EPIC SWELL AWARDS:
Best Wipeout Vic Gamboa with "Duck Dive Wipeout" Vic Gamboa with "Brokeback Wipeout Paolo Soler with "Tombstone on a Sunday" Hawaiian Jim with "The Aerial" (see photo)
Best Drop In Carlo Cruz drops in on Jeff dela Torre Menage a trois drop in starring Moro, Vic and Abdel Lui drops in on Jim Jim drops in on Lui (aka "payback")
Best Fake Swell Report Vic Gamboa with "Head High Lang Sa Cemento!" Allan Derecho with "High tide na, mahina na yung wipeout"
Best Stoked na Stoked Story Carlo Cruz gets his first barrel JP gets barrelled twice on a Sunday Annie, Kage, Jovin & Aston catch the tiny long walls on the beach break Raf goes on his second surf trip!
Best Cemento-related Injury Buji Libarnes with "Nasaan Na Ang Kuko Ko?" JP Sarmiento with "Butas Na Shorts Ko" Carlo Cruz with "Hazing sa Cemento" Fred's G Pang Board with "I Need Rhinoplasty"
Best Ulam at Gerry Shan's Sweet and Sour Fish Century Eggs Fish Tofu Buttered Chicken
Best Post-Sesh Snack Onion Rings sa Bay's Inn Sisig sa Bahia de Baler Avocado shakes sa Gerry Shan's Piazza sa Bay's Inn
