Love.Risk.Surf.Live

Dahican, Mati Davao Oriental Oct 25-31, 2015 I must say this trip was yet again one for the books! And oh, THREE is a GOOD NUMBER. Harry and I waited for James at Davao International airport. By 8:30am we were on the road going to Mati. We were supposed to take the hours long bus ride but then opted to take a cab straight to Mati. Haha yes 3 hours cab ride but that included our long wait for the driver to buy a rope for our boards and a stop over for brunch. Past 12 noon we arrived at DSR, the stress free zone yiiiiiw! I was glad to see familiar faces again. Felt like home. We settled and set camp. There was an ongoing Frisbee event also. And oh this was our first meeting with the Nairud sa Wabad band! Hahaha. Text mates na sila ni James ok so alam ang whereabouts nila! They were in Menzi so we headed there to greet them. Eyeball lang ang peg! Haha. It was funny but it was a memorable experience. In the afternoon we surfed in front of Amihan. If you’ve be...

Today I was ranting on the volume of people going to Baler. It's not the same anymore where it used to be an 8-hour trip, a few lodging (no hotels), and a handful of surf shacks. Now it's just too crowded. It's everyone's home, everyone's claiming  and owning as their homebreak. Sabay banat naman sa aking.. hayaan mo lang sila, basta ikaw iyo ang San Luis! And don't worry about them wala ka naman kaagaw sa akin e! #uywow #woyeah # bombaboom  Hahahha I laughed and smiled! But seriously I miss the good old Baler. The simple small town with lots of coconut trees. We used to pitch tent and take a bath at a running water fronting the diners at Bay's inn and no one cares. There's just too much development and infrastructures and sacrificed the stillness and simplicity of the area. It feels good that I've seen and long experienced the quaint old Baler. It'll be all just good memories I guess. I hope I can bring back year 2009 when I fell in love w...

Dibulalan, Aurora  July 2014

April 4-5 The BNU Law Firm had their company outing at Baler, Aurora. I tagged along but really didn't join their activities and tour. Had for once the luxury of the Costa Pacifica experience. Well I've never checked in there before. Food served were all delicious. Room was very comforting. And the staff very polite and courteous. Waves were small already. Summer time yes therefore flat season starts. There were a couple of knee high sets but you have to grill your back and face first before the sets come. Really have to wait for it. In the evening, had a very nice and intimate jamming session with Oppo, Jonnel and Harry. Really missed having to talk with them. Can't recall the last time we had this sesh. Proud of Oppo for having finished his ALS program. He's know eligible to take a college degree! And I'm so happy to hear from him that he regained his love for teaching surfing because Jana was a great student. Well according to him Jana followed his instru...

January 18-19, 2014 Surf 1: Jaminum Decided to spend my prebirthday celebration in Baler. 12am of Saturday we met up with Chino at McDo BMW. I was with Reena and Yum. Chino's driving skills amazed me! 4 hours Manila to Baler. Wow! And I didn't feel dizzy. It was very cold when we arrived Baler. Freezing cold! We got Ate Gladis' big kubo as usual. Slept while waiting for the rest (Nicco, Camile, Halley, Cloch, etc.) to arrive. One big surf group we had! Morning surf of course! Fought the cold weather and got some waves. Evening was the highlight! Jaminuman na at Radas. Not just an ordinary usual inuman sesh I had before. Blue Island was present to jam for my birthday. How awesome is that! Cold cold beer from Radas and the mouth watering sisig equals perfect. Really enjoyed the night. And I thank Ser for helping me. Happy happy me. Photos to follow.

December 28-30, 2013 Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte This is so far the farthest and the longest travel ever with my mom! It's a last minute decision and there's not much planning made so all flights to Laoag are booked. We went the long way and took a bus supposedly to Laoag, but since there were a lot of passengers, we had to take an 8-hour bus ride to Vigan instead. From Vigan, we took a 2-hour bus to Laoag. And then from Laoag, 3-hour rockstar bus with vegetables and chickens to PAGUDPUD! Whew finally made it! There's no time to waste so as soon as we got off the bus, we got a tricycle to take us to the North bound Pagudpud tour. Kabigan Falls P100-tour guide fee P10-entrance fee It's a 20-30min trek to the falls. The trail is easy. Very nice and majestic falls. Worth the trek and worth seeing. Kabigan Falls Patapat Viaduct It's just along the highway. A lot of tourists stop here to take photos because of the scenery. Agua Grande P25-entrance fee Pi...

It's been a month since my last surf! I miss the waves and the gang in Charlie Does and the rest. Medyo mapusyaw na ako! Hahahah eeee not me! My tan lines are almost gone. One more month. Whew last push. For now study study study. Board exam coming up, and oh I have my final exam in masters (almost forgot about it). Ahhhh keri. Sharing this video clip of the surf last July. Waves were small but still had fun. We went to Dianed, an hour away from Sabang beach (read my post  River Flat )..   tribu surf nah from rommel lubguban on Vimeo .

1972-2013 Edmond "Janggo" Mendoza. Kuya Janggo to most people. He's one of the classic surfers in Baler, Aurora. It's such a blessing to have known him and have had close encounters with him. I will never forget that one jamming night in my soul surf in 2011. He shared a story of how he's been pushing his kumpari to learn to surf and eventually changed his life for the better. It's really heart breaking to hear his death. Another Surf Legend who will forever stay in our hearts. Thank you Kuya Janggo for being one of my surf instructors. I remember we had a surf sesh at secret spot and he'd signal me when there's an incoming wave. I'd paddle hard for it and ride it successfully. He taught me how to wall and really perfected it with his guidance. Thank you Kuya Janggo for being so welcoming and extending your hospitality by offering your home every time I go there. I'll never forget you.  Surfing can change one's life for the better. ...

Surf 7 Flat Sabang July 13-14, 2013 Dianed, Aurora Ok so a day before the trip there were photos in Facebook on how waves were soo big and nice that day. I was hyped to go back to Baler, hoping that I'll catch those waves. Unlucky me! Saturday morning, July 13, Sabang was river flat. Why?? Huhu. But hey good thing there are a lot of spots in Baler. I went with Chino together with some lokals to Dianed, a surf spot, one hour or so away from Sabang by motorcycle. Yes! Endured the ass pain riding the motorcycle to surf. They say waves in Dianed can be as big as a house "ga-bahay" as what lokals would say but that time when we got there, waves were manageable. Not really nice, but there are good sets from time to time as compared to the condition in Sabang. So generally pretty stoked, I must say. We were the only ones at the line up. It's a reef break. Reefs were smooth that my feet can handle. There were also a lot of sea weeds. Eeeeky feeling when my legs get sur...

Surf 6 May 23-26, 2013 Isabela, Philippines This surf trip was months in the making. Thought it wouldn't push through because of a lot of changes until only three of us were left for the trip. But hey 3 is still a good number! Last minute changes and yiii ended to have 9 as a good good number! Boards loaded  Thursday morning all of us met up at Baler. We rented a van to take us to Dilasag Pier. And the ultimate Love.Risk.Surf.Live episode begins. 5 hours trip to Dilasag. We thought once we get there we could all leave for Isabela already. But no! We had to wait at the Pier for 13 hours! The long wait was bearable because of each ones company. Yeah. Fishing while waiting, SLEEPING, eating, SLEEPING. Boat ride to Palanan My bed for the trip       12:30am the next day Friday, we finally left Dilasag. 8 hours boat trip. Whew! What a relief that we got to our camp safely. Agenda for the day: rent a boat, visit Papa Jack's Tita Mary (whom he has...