Showing posts with label Baler Aurora. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baler Aurora. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Lotus Handshapes, Baler, Philippines

Posted by roma on March 26, 2019 in
I am writing this post only because this good guy Byron kindly helped me out with a ding on my surfboard. I did not know the guy, I did not know about the shop. Until I did.


It started out with a semi-planned trip to Baler. My partner and I booked our room at the newly-renovated Bay's Inn Resort (great stay, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, read more here) the day before our trip (3.23.19).



We got to the place, settled in, and because I got a brand new surfboard from Free Pig Movement at The Pit Surfshop, Kuta, Bali  (good guys too and of course, good surfboards, know more about them here), I had to assemble the surfboard, fins and all, at the driveway, because it's a longboard and our room was at the 3rd floor, we did not want to bother taking it up. While setting up the surfboard, a staff named Ednalyn looked at the board closely and found the ding on the rail near the tail. I got the ding when I landed in Manila because of airline mishandling (I will post the whole story with my complaint and their response soon). She volunteered and said that she had a friend that repairs boards, but there's also one across the street, pointing at Charlie Does. She said she'd text the people from there and ask them to check out the board later.

I used the board before any repair was to be done -- the ding was about a two-inch hairline crack on the gloss resin so I put a thick layer of wax on it to hopefully stop the water from seeping in.

After playing in the sea for a while, I came back and Ednalyn greeted me to tell me the person who does repairs was at the shop and she'd take me there.

We went there, to a "shop" beside Charlie Does. It is called Lotus Handshapes. This guy Byron greeted us and told us it will take him three days to carefully repair the ding. I could not afford 3 days. He looked at it and said "maliit lang pala, lagyan na lang natin tape na pangkaldero." I thought he was kidding but off he went and came back with the silver tape and tools in his hand. He carefully placed my board on the table outside the shop, cleaned up the wax I put there, and even said my center fin was positioned too far which of course I would not know -- it's my first time assembling a longboard! I asked about the repair and what they do exactly, and what do you know? He told me to come inside to see what exactly they do.

Voila. A full-pledged shape shop! "Wow, it's my first time to get inside a shape shop, may I take photos?!" I took photos.





Now that I am writing this, I remember I was also able to see a part of RPM's shape shop in Bali (see it here too)!

So Byron used the temporary tape and said it's for "pansamantagal", fixed my center fin's placement, and said the side fins were centers too! Wut? I said I would only understand and realize it on my own if I were a good surfer! Anyway, does not matter. The point is -- he took his time, telling me about it and fixing it without me asking.

That's Byron with the shirt on
So, the ding on my board was temporarily fixed for the next day's surf, I had a quick tour at a shape shop, and when I asked how much I owed him, he looked at me like I was being ridiculous! I wanted to buy him beer but it was 5:30 in the afternoon and it seemed like he was still working so that is why I am writing this - to help promote Byron, the nice guy shaper, and his shop Lotus Handshapes right beside Charlie Does. Visit Byron and maybe his are the hands that will shape your first (or next) surfboard!
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Monday, March 25, 2019

New Look: Bay's Inn Resort, Baler Aurora, Philippines

Posted by roma on March 25, 2019 in
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

New rooms, new linens, efficient and helpful staff, good breakfast buffet, free parking space.



A last-minute plan to go to Baler on March 23, 2019 left us with a very few choices for accommodations. Since I know Baler a little, I have some idea where a specific resort or eatery is. I messaged around 10 properties and all of them actually replied (Pro tip: look them up on Facebook and message them via messenger, they reply faster than trying to message them via their websites), some faster than the others. I had to consider the location, first of all, the the T&B, and so on. But since my partner is a lazy traveler, she just went to Agoda and browsed for 2 hotels and asked me which one was better and clicked "BOOK", all in the 5 minutes that she was "searching" for a room -- more like "glanced".

I told her it's where The Hungry Surfer is. That it's a bungalow-type lodging with the beach vibe going on.

Borrowed this from their Facebook Page - The old beach front
She did not understand what I was saying and just told me she thought I was talking about a different hotel because, whoah, the Bay's Inn I knew had renovated!

Don't mind the cement drips. Inside it's pretty!

Soft Opening of the Restaurant



Floor corridors for 2F, 3F, 4F all leading to different endings

I have never stayed in Bay's Inn before, but if it's part of the renovation, the staff did really good.

When I walked in the reception area, everyone (there's probably 4 people) behind the desk stood up and greeted me -- I hope they keep it up forever! The two security guards -- one helped us with our stuff, the other one took us to the parking lot with a shuttle -- were also very attentive, like waiting for anything we would need.

The parking though -- is about 500 meters. But it's free and there's a free shuttle back to the hotel.

The staff are all attentive to your needs -- dial 0 for anything and you get someone by your door to attend to you in about 5 minutes!

We requested for in-room massage twice, and wait time is about 30 minutes. The massage was good too! Ask for Ate Janet. Massage is Php 500/hour.

There is a pool but it was not yet done so we were not allowed to take a dip.

Pool view from the 3rd Floor

The room rate of almost Php 4,000.00 included breakfast for two. We did not know that it was a buffet breakfast but the night before, I requested for "vegetarian" and they served me with this steamed veggies. I did not feel bad because I'm used to not having a lot of food choices, and this stir-fried (but really seamed steamed) veggies tasted fresh.




Now this is the best part, I have an 8'2" surfboard with me. And since our room was at the 3rd floor, we could actually leave the board at the "guard house". And Ednalyn, a staff, pointed me to where I could get my board ding repaired. The brand new surfboard was mishandled by Cebu Pacific (I will write a full story about it -- including my complaint and their response.) But to end this with a positive note, Byron of Lotus Handshapes helped me out for free!

Now it was at its soft opening so most stuff were new so they get a five star, the photos online are of course great too. Cleanliness and location, both five stars too! But the attitude of the staff really sold it for me to go back.

Extra:

Just wanted to have these photos taken in their very new, not even functional yet, function room! :)
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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The 6th Baler Beginner's Cup: The Results

Posted by roma on April 23, 2014 in
So you already know my efforts to be able to join the The 6th Baler Beginner's Cup. Read the story here.

Now what happened?

My friend Rhea gave me a seat in their tour van to Baler, a good seat at that -- the passenger seat beside the driver. I was late at the meeting place in Eastwood because I had to stay on the set until our director gave his last set up. But I was still reprimanded for leaving the set 1.5 hours earlier than pack up. I am currently the Production Designer of Be Careful with My Heart, one of ABS-CBN's longest-running prime time show to date.

Anyway, after a lot of efforts, I was Baler-bound.

April 12, 2014

An hour before arriving to Baler, I changed my clothes from work-wear to surf wear. Yes, I did it while inside the van, beside the driver. I was using my jacket to cover what I was doing and voila, I was already wearing surf bikini, rash guard and surf shorts under my clothes. Talent. :)

I had to change clothes while in the van because the competition organizer said I had to be at the beach by 7 or 8 AM for eliminations. I was there at past 7 AM. Had to pass by at the Rolling Stores where Rhea and company had breakfast while I had two bananas and a bottle of water.

A sunny day
I went straight to Mahdox Surf School to check my "heat" schedule. I did not go anywhere. I just sat there and watched the competition so I could get nervous. Haha. Target time for my first elimination was 9AM. But 9AM passed and my name was still not called. So I went to the burger joint just beside Mahdox and got me a burger, and an iced tea. Then later, halo halo. I was slowly getting sleepy so I got myself a monobloc chair and propped myself beside the Mahdox entrance.

Halo halo with mayonnaise. Kidding.

At 12 noon, the boys of Mahdox were waking me up because I fell asleep on that chair! They were asking me if I wanted to go have lunch first. So we did.

When we came back, the announcer was already calling my name!

Finally, it's real now. I'm competing!

I had a lot of worries -- I wasn't prepared to be called immediately after lunch, I might vomit because my stomach was still full, and I was not able to watch the heat before mine.

But anyway, I went on. I had no choice. Eliminations, Semis, Finals.

Yes, I was able to make it to the finals!

I caught the first wave that my coach Daniel gave me. Actually, I caught all the waves that he gave me. And I was receiving some cheers from the audience at the shore. I was doing a bunch of long rides and I was loving it so much because this was all quite new to me!

To win the competition, they said I should get a lot of long rides. A competitor would be judged according to his/her best two rides in 15 minutes! Tricks would serve you well too.

We were identified through our rash guard color. I was designated to wear blue in the finals.

My coach, and the other coaches, were telling me my opponents were "walling" and were really good so I should do my best. I tried. And on my first finals heat, I heard the announcer calling "Nakatayo na si Blue at nagwa-walling!" I was so happy.

Then my coach said, I should do some tricks, like a switch foot, or a cross-step, but I thought, wasn't that a conflict if I was competing for Novice? Do beginners do tricks? And I was afraid I would not be able to pull it off. He said "nakapondo ka na ng long rides saka walling, sige na, mag-tricks ka na, pampataas ng points." I did not do it.

An opponent, the only male competitor I had at the finals, did a switch foot somewhere in our final heat. And damn he was really good!
They said the finalists should take a group picture. So we did. Those topless boys are the Mahdox Coaches. The guy in the right was the one who "switched foot"!

Anyway, the competition ended and the results would be announced that night.

I treated the boys with a drinking session before I went back to my room to rest.
With the Mahdox boys and Jao, a regular surfer at Mahdox. We're happy but nervous, awaiting for the competition results.

At dinner time, I went to Yellow Fin Restaurant on my own and had dinner, went back home and my coach kept on texting me to not forget about the awarding later that night.

Grilled food is Yellow Fin's best sellers! And they are jam packed at lunch and dinner time! I got this without having to go to the line of customers. Charm :)

I went to Rushie's Point, just behind Mahdox Surf School where the The 6th Baler Beginner's Cup Awarding Ceremonies would be held and it was still too early. No one was there yet so I went back home and took a nap.

I woke up at 12 midnight with the following text messages from my coach:

"Mam, sunduin ka ba namin?"

 "Mam, san ka na? Awarding na."

 "Mam, tinatawag na pangalan mo."

Uh oh! So I got up and hurried to Rushie's Point. It was drizzling and the awarding was over.
Party continues even if it's drizzling

But I got to watch Indio I. But I could not find my coach and the organizers were already drinking so I was too shy to ask if I won.
Indio I for The 6th Baler Beginner's Cup

I went near the stage to see Indio I up-close and saw a friend from a long time ago -- Rodel. With the most unexpected person -- Digo Ricio, former production designer of Be Careful with My Heart, who, I've always heard by name but never met personally. Digo said "Ikaw ba yung Roma na nananalo kanina?" I thought to myself -- I won??? But just said "ahm, siguro. Nakatulog ako e."
Digo, my friend Rodel and I

Now pretty boy Digo and I are friends :)

After a beer, I went to my room and slept, without knowing if I really won anything or not.

The next morning, I went to Mahdox to check out the waves and ask if they know if I won or not, but before I was even able to ask, one of the boys said "Hindi to pumunta sa awarding o, first runner up pa naman at best in long ride!" REALLY?!

*insert dance of joy here*

My prizes: a plaque, a loot bag that comes with it and another bag for the "Best in Long Ride" award.
(Shoes, pull over shirt, one-piece swim suit, stickers and a 30% Roxy discount card)

There. I won. And there were only two best in long ride awards, they said. I was so happy. :)

*insert dance of joy here, too*

But I was still quite a maldita for telling the organizers that I should get the CHAMPION plaque for Women's Division since the person who topped me was a guy and he got the Champion plaque for Men's Division. So technically, I was the champion for the Women's Division. Actually, the organizer agreed, technically. But since the plaques were prepared that way, I was protesting. But we did not compete in divisions, so I could not get the Women's Champion plaque. But he said they will try to make sure the gender divisions will be applied next competition. Well, I only tried if I could get that plaque. Hehe.

But all is well, very well, in fact. I did not even expect to do good, more so win. Now the coaches are telling me to join the next surf competitions.

And I might just do. :)
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Monday, April 21, 2014

The 6th Baler Beginner's Cup: Read the Signs

Posted by roma on April 21, 2014 in
I didn't.

*DISCLAIMER: This is a long story 


Let me track back 3 weeks ago, March 21, 2014.

I went with a group tour to Baler, Aurora, through a late (3 days ago?) invitation from my friend, Macy. I came straight from taping in Laguna, arriving at our meeting place at Eton Centris at 11 at night. They (my co-tourists) were not there yet so i decided to eat a well-deserved midnight snack at my favorite cafe, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

My comfort food - CBTL's Dark Mocha and Caesar Salad
I just needed to mention that i have been taping for five straight days (M-F) for that week. And despite the lack of rest and decent sleep (total of 15-20 hours in 5 days), I went on and boarded that tour van bound to Baler.

We arrived Baler at around 8 AM of March 22, went to our hotel (Machiavelli Lodge), had breakfast and while waiting for our room, decided to go to the beach to see the swell. 
Machiavelli Lodge's Dining Lounge

All is swell at Baler Aurora


We started surfing in the afternoon, after lunch. We rented surfboards at Mahdox Surf School, where we also got our surf instructors.
That';s my rashguard -- I was letting it dry. Haha. Photobomb!

To cut the story short, the day ended and we surfed again the next morning. Some other instructors, and a local, Mahdox's "muse", Lala (Macy's cousin), told me again to try to join the competition. I said no. They said the competition was for beginners and I'd better try.In the middle of surfing, my instructor, Bentong told me, jokingly, I assume, to join the upcoming surf competition, The 6th Baler Beginner's Cup. I told him no, because I can't even paddle out on my own because of my weak arms. He said I have a very good stance so I could try to join. He was even asking me to do tricks when he saw me doing some side-steps on the board when the waves slowed down.

That's me, Macy and EJ

Cut to weeks later, the thought occurred to me that I have nothing to lose if I join. I thought, how could I go back to Baler?  One and a half weeks later, our assistant stylist to Jodi Sta. Maria told me, casually, "Ate Roma, we're going to Baler this weekend, April 5. Join?" Without even thinking about it, I said yes. Read our adventures here.  

I went back to Mahdox, surfed and got stoked. Bonded with the instructors and got all tanned up. Then the instructors asked me again to join. The competition was coming the weekend after, I said, "ok, I can go and pay now for registration." But there's no registration booth or any office that would accept registrants in Baler. There's only an online registration form.  

When I came back to Manila, I paid the registration fee and contacted the organizer and found out that the registration has been closed since March 31. Lala said for me to mention that a slot was reserved for me by Okoy Rojo, Mahdox's owner and a local surf star. So I did. And the organizer asked me to fill out the online registration form. 

Then I booked for a bus ticket to Baler for Friday, April 11 at 2:30 AM, a bus back to Manila for Sunday, April 13 at 1:00 PM and asked a local to find me a room in the competition dates. Though it was a weekend, a competition weekend at that, my contact Kuya Verjan, got me two room options. Both were not beachfront though. But I got a room, and that's what's important. If I were reading the signs, the signs were all good and all pointing to a positive direction -- I would make it to Baler to join the competition. I was all set! Everything was going right.

Until it wasn't.

I got all my booking for my bus ride (Joy Bus Deluxe), registration and room on Tuesday, April 8. Although too late, I got everything set up. On wednesday, April 09, on the set in Batangas, I asked my boss that I would not go to work on Friday, and lo and behold, he did not grant me a leave.

I almost cried. Literally.

I went outside and smoked, and thought to myself...what would Roma do?

What Roma did was called up the organizer and told him that I would not be able to make it on Friday. He said it's ok as long as I come early on Saturday. Ok, that was easy. It was at noon when I called up the organizer so I still have time to do re-book my reservations.

Next I did was try to re-book my trip to Baler. http://iwantseats.com.ph said all trips on Saturday were fully booked. They gave me the direct line to Joy Bus Deluxe and nothing happened too. I called up Genesis Transport Inc., and they said I could not book in advance -- just go to the bus station on the day of the trip to buy a ticket personally. And Genesis Transport Inc., being the umbrella owner of Joy Bus Deluxe, said maybe I can try to rebook my e-ticket personally too if I go to the bus station's office in Cubao. I was at Batangas, remember?

I searched my brains for anyone that I could actually ask to go to the bus station and rebook my ticket. A lot of people came to mind, but I dialled my friend Eshei's number. I thought about him because he just came from a one-week trip to Sagada which made me think he's not busy at all. He said he was busy but would try.

I waited. I waited for  him to get back to me. It's been hours and there's no news. Until I got a phone call from him. Short story: it was bad news.

So I resorted to where all desperate people resort to: I posted a status on Facebook that said:

May ibang buses ba or private vans bukod sa Genesis/Joy Bus papuntang Baler? 

All set na ako, bus tickets, registration and accommodations. 

Nang biglang hindi ako pinayagan ng boss ko na umalis ng Friday. 

At wala na ako makuhang trips ng Saturday ng madaling araw unless pumila ako sa bus station ng Friday night. Hindi ko na ma-rebook yung Joy Bus ticket ko. Eh sa Batangas ang taping ko so kakailanganin ko pa rin umalis ng maaga sa taping para makapila sa bus at pagdating ko ng Baler, pagod ako galing sa byahe.

Juskolord, once a year lang po ito at matagal ang decision making process ko dito.

Susuungin ko ang pag chance passenger at pagod ng taping at byahe maitawid ko lang to. Bigyan mo lang ako universe ng masasakyan.

PLEASE!!!!!

People replied saying there are buses, vans and "cutting trips" to Baler. Someone even messaged me privately saying that they would be going to the bus station on Friday at 11 PM to try to get tickets. 

But I thought, it's not good enough but I could try and ask them to get me a ticket. 

I posted another status saying:

Sobra akong psyched up for Baler, yung #accuweather app ko, naka-set sa Baler. Ugh. :(( Sino gusto i-drive ako to Baler, sagot ko gas, food, room. Haha. #desperate

Then Rhea, a friend that I haven't seen for a long time, messaged me. She said they have a tour van bound for Baler on Saturday, 12 midnight. She said she could ask her tour-mates if I could join them. I waited for results. It took the whole night before I got an answer. 

If I were reading the signs, all signs were telling me not to go. Because there's no ride to Baler. And I've been trying all sorts of ways to rebook my ticket but to no avail.

On thursday, I heard what I wanted to hear. Rhea and friends said yes! They would let me get a seat in their tour van.

I felt so happy. Like I proposed to someone and got a YES! Now I'm back on track.

On the way to Baler, my boss was calling. I answered and I was reprimanded for leaving the set before the taping was packed up. My boss was really disappointed.

If I was reading the signs, maybe i should not have gone.

What happened next? Read here.
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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

What the "BALERinas" are Made of.

Posted by roma on April 09, 2014 in
Coming to Baler, Aurora  on March 22, 2014, I got invited again to go back this week. This is our story.

We met at McDonald's Mindanao Avenue and boarded a van straight to Baler. Arrived at Baler around 9 AM and had breakfast at the famous Rolling Stores. They had to do the usual "city tour" where they would go to the Mother Falls (which I've been to in 2011) and some other sites in the city so I did not go with them. I had lunch with the Mahdox Boys (and some regular clients) instead.

With the Boys of Mahdox Surf School
(Taken with GoPro Hero 3+)

Then I surfed, lots of people trying out for the first time!

Mahdox Surf School is Fully Booked!

Surfing alone, or traveling alone was never a problem for me. I never feel bored with my self. And my Skittles always keep me company.

Skittles and Yosi break :)

Here comes the fun part with the "BALERinas". So we only met at the van. And I did not join them for the city tour. But we regrouped at Aliya's Resort for a quick drinking session before dinner. Yes, drinking before dinner. I was not aware that they have already formed a group aptly called "BALERinas". I don't even have to explain, right? The only person I knew here pre-BALERinas is Gino (the person in green), but I had so much fun with the BALERinas, starting this night.

Them fun and pretty boys and girls.
(Taken with GoPro Hero 3+)

We got to know each other and I got to recommend the dinner place. We went to The Hungry Surfer. Waiting time for food: 48 years. Quality and quantity of food: great! The wait was worth it. Read a bit more about The Hungry Surfer here.
Us waiting for our food to arrive. Oh my gaahhhh. 48 years of wait but still smiling.
(Taken with GoPro Hero 3+)
After dinner, we wanted to look for a place to drink (again! I did not know these pretty boys and girls were such drunkards! Haha.) But did not find a good place to drink so we ended up making our own bonfire at the beach and buying beer at a nearby sari sari store.

We were burning bottles
Little did I know too, that the BALERinas love taking pictures so much. So here we were in front of the bonfire and behind the bonfire. And there were a hundred more shots which I don't think I have time to watermark and upload here. :)
The bonfire is in front of us!

Then the bonfire is behind us!
(Taken with GoPro Hero 3+)

The night ended. Maybe someone got drunk, maybe someone got high, maybe someone even met someone. That's all I have to say. The next morning...

My breakfast!
We had lunch at the Yellow Fin Restaurant. And... picture!!!

Brekky at the Yellow Fin Restaurant

Then finally they surfed!!!

This was after they surfed. Look how happy they look like!
On the way home, a stopover at McDonald's Cabanatuan for snacks, and yeah, pictures.

No caption.  You get the gist. Haha.
Sooooo... we had so much fun. Though it was the first time I met them, I love them boys and girls already. They are made of picture-perfect smile and alcohol and courage (hahaha!) and I'm still friends with them until now. We still see each other once in a while and still have an active Viber Group with the name "BALERinas".
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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

The Hungry Surfer, Baler Aurora

Posted by roma on April 08, 2014 in
Pinoy Big Breakfast

Choice of tocino/longanissa, fried fish, scrambled eggs with tomatoes and onions, fried rice, juice or coffee or tea or hot choco = P190.00


Find the The Hungry Surfer in Baler, Aurora

On Facebook

On Foursquare

Their Menu

It is located in front of Bay's Inn Resort in Baler, Aurora. Beach front.
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Monday, March 31, 2014

Mahdox Surf School

Posted by roma on March 31, 2014 in
Mahdox Surf School is where I go to when I go to Baler.

The instructors are friendly and they all want you to be able to ride a wave or two.

Photo grab from Mahdox Surf's Facebook Account


Find Mahdox Surf School:

On Facebook

On Foursquare

Their Contact Details:
Address: Buton St, BalerPhone:0928 379 7349
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