Surfin' Baler

If you thought you will visit Baler just to surf, then you're wrong. Over the weekend adventure in Baler starts from their zigzag road with 6-8hrs of travel time from Manila you may really start your adventure at 1AM of Saturday just like what we did. Enough of talking let's start the listing.

How to get there
There are buses available that will bring you to Baler. Just make sure to check their schedule and book a reservation for sure seats.

Bus Company	Contact Info
Genesis Bus	http://www.genesistransport.com.ph/
Joy Bus	(02) 709-0803/ 421-1443

Est. Cost: Php 800-1400/head (roundtrip)

But my friend told me that there's an alternative cut-trip but I'm not familiar with the how to's of this option. He suggested this since travel time of this option is less than the public bus Try to check other blogs they might have written something about this option. I'll try to edit this post if I'll be able to retrieve the details he gave me.

However, if you are planning a trip with 10-12 pax, it is also good to consider renting a private van that will take you to Baler and will serve as your private transportation around town.

Est. Expense	Details
P 4,500	Van rental
P 4,100	Gasoline (for 1 1/2 tank which is more than enough)
P 500	Toll Fees
P 900	Driver's meal (set at P150/meal)

Est. Cost: Php 10,000 (as a group)

Where to Stay
There are lots of choices for everyone, from a nipa hut priced at P500 per night and it is good for 2 person. But here's the list of my recommended accommodation:

Inn	Contact Info
Aliya Surf Camp & Resort	http://www.aliyasurfcamp.com/
Bay's Inn	09089823509/ https://www.facebook.com/baysinn
Bayler View Hotel	09273668735 / 09192863105

You may also visit the official website or Aurora Province and check their massive list of accommodations. For easy access to the beach, choose a resort along Sabang Beach.
Est. Cost: Php 500 up/head

Where to Eat
This may be the easiest thing to look for in Baler. There are lots of dining place along Sabang Beach, but these place are usually full during peak season and meal time. Another option would be the "kalinderias" in the public market. Food tastes fare and they're cheap. And yeah! I think finding a place to eat in Baler should be the least of your problem. Btw, don't forget to try Gerry Chan's Buffet for just 200/pax.

What to do In Baler
Of course, most if not all people who go to Baler wants to surf, and that's given.

Aside from surfing, you might also want to consider trekking to reach Baler's Ditumabo Falls.

Another good thing to try in Baler is to have a PhotoOp inside and outside a very big Balete tree.

There are lots of things to do in Baler aside from surfing so better book now while it's still summer.:)

Tuloy na Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko...

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and be courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

-Joshua 1:9

After the magnitude 7.2 earthquake happened in Bohol, historical churches in the province became ruins. But despite what happened, a group of children sung The Prayer in front of national television (see video) to encourage everyone to help not just those people who were affected by the disaster but also for the restoration of the destroyed churches.

Several emotions came rushing me while watching them. It broke my heart watching them sing the song while their faces shows more than just hope. I felt proud being a Filipino as these children became evidences of our race's resiliency. I was also even thankful that I am one of those people who are capable of helping them and not the one of those who needed help.

By the way, I am talking about the Loboc Children's Choir. I never thought that I will be able to see the faces of those children in person until last Friday when they personally invited everyone in our office to watch their benefit concert that day. I was having a goosebumps while watching them. But I started fighting my tears when they are already singing this line of Tuloy na Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko,

Mabuti pa nga ang Pasko noong isang taon

sa ating hapag mayroong keso de bola't hamon

baka sa gipit, Happy New Year mapo-postpone

at ang hamon ay mauuwi sa bagoong.

Now, please allow me to share with you my video as they sing their own version of Tuloy na Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko. (Sorry for the unnecessary noise.>.<)

On the other hand, I would like to take this opportunity to ask everyone to donate for the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan (Bagyong Yolanda). For international donors, your may extend your help through globalgiving.com. For those who are in the Philippines, you may choose from various channel summarized by sunstar.com.ph.

Beatus: Embracing the holiness of Blessed John Paul II

I came from Makati and rode an MRT going home. While walking in Farmers Market, I remember the news the previous night about the exhibit for Blessed John Paul II. Since I have a great feeling that this exhibit is in Gateway Mall, I didn't take the escalator going up, which I usually do if I'll pass through the mall to go to the LRT station. Fortunately, the exhibit was indeed there.

There are roughly around 20-25 panels where quotations from the homily made by the Blessed John Paul II on his masses around the world as well as his time line which indicates his most memorable experience from the day he was born up to the day he died on April 2, 2005.

Among those quotations being posted, my most favorite quotation was the one he made during the 17th World Youth Day in Toronto. To quote, "Do not let that hope die! Stake your lives on it! We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son." (You may click the photo to view its full-size.)

It was not just quotations, there are also pictures. Lots of pictures! And this one really caught my attention and considered as my favorite among those pictures in the exhibit.

And the most beautiful thing in this exhibit is the side where items being used by the Blessed John Paul II are displayed. And this is the most beautiful set and I think the most religious collection is the exhibit. It includes the first class relic of Blessed John Paul II ex-sanguine blood.

Here are the other photos I was able to get. There are lot more of this when you visit the exhibit in Gateway (sorry I was not able to ask the duration of the exhibit.)

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And by the way, there are several kneeling benches infront of the altar or the display where all religious items of Blessed John Paul II are used.

Pastel: The Taste of Camiguin

My uncle had a visit somewhere in the south. When he came back here in Manila, he gave us two boxes of Pastel, one for me and one for my sister. The first time I saw it, I said, I will not dare eat it cause its kinda weird. A bun with a yema filling???

I think it was 3 days after before I opened mine and I was really hungry during that time. Since its been in the refrigerator for about 3 days, I set the box on the table first. I don't like to eat a cold bread.

Minutes after, I started to eat one. The bread has nothing unusual about its taste, but when I was able to bit the part of the bread with filling, BOOM!!! You will surely let other people have a bite on that bread (in case you were able to resist eating the rest. hehehe..).

I am very sure that this delicacy of Camiguin will give you a reason to be proud again as a Filipino. Yum, yum, yum.. I think I'm craving for one again...:)