I started skating again 1-2 weeks before the event just to get the “skate feel”  and the confidence in bombing hills after not skating for around 5 months. Thanks to my skate buddies Juancho Abejo, Miggy Carandang, Quito Abejo, Ayin Tamondong, Mykee Alvero, and Kaloi Sulpa for the company.

SAD PART:

However, things don’t always go your way. My dad was VERY MUCH against it AND my sister  refused to drive me to Longboards MNL to complete my registration. This was probably because of the huge fat keloid I got during the Bombahan Outlaw last June. My dad despised seeing it and has always discouraged me from skateboarding. Bottomline is, no one wanted to drive me to Makati so I had no chance of completing my registration! I have decided to give up and planned to surf that weekend instead.

huge fat keloid

HAPPY PART:

The day before the deadline of registration, I got a call from Carl Sambrano (The United Skate Shop/TUSS) and told me that he already registered for me. I thought the registration was “sayang” so I rode a cab and rushed to Longboards MNL. Yeah, I commuted even if the taxi fare was so expensive.

So stoked to find my race number on Gmail and get a good luck from TUSS:

——————————————

RACE DAY

United riders spent the night before the race at Carl’s house aka TUSS HQ in Ayala, Alabang (yeah I really wanted to say the Ayala, Alabang part, so conyo, haha). There I got myself some goodies from, of course, TUSS. Thanks, really!

Before I talk about the race, I’d just like to thank Dex Tan for sponsoring the breakfast of those who rode in Ralph Ng’s car. HAHA. You the best, Dex! And thanks Ralph for driving us there safely!

My Board

Again thanks Dex for lending me your board. I was trying out his board and he asked me if I liked it but I told him I’m not into drop-throughs. He said he had a topmount and offered me if I wanted to use it, I immediately said yes when I saw it. The set up was really beautiful, how on earth can I reject that offer!! Beautiful hemp deck, beautiful Rey Trucks, Magic bearings, spacers- everything Dex Tan except for the wheels. OH NO!! Respect to that! And to be honest, I really got star struck the first time I saw him in flesh!!

The Race Course

It was okay. I was expecting a faster and gnarlier one though. The first (and I guess the only) hairpin was a very critical one. Di ko matimpla. I wanted to take it through the inside and it was only during my last ride that I realized I had to take it from the outside first. After that was the straight part where the speed starts to pick up, I got very stoked during my first ride. Some riders got wobbles probably because of the sudden change in speed. As for me, I have my own technique to avoid wobbles. Because of that, I managed to get through the race course alive and wipeout-free.

The thing about the race course is that it has cracks that must be definitely avoided. Thanks to Jay Mitra and Paolo Villacorta for giving me tips on how to bomb the course safely. Hearing from them was actually very encouraging. Sobrang respect to both of them.

I always came in last so I guess I need more practice and knowledge in drafting, lanes to take, and all those things in DH a have a little knowledge about.

The Event (Overall)

Kudos to the organizers! It was the safest race I have ever witnessed. The food was so good! The CR, a kuya kept cleaning it. The air was so fresh. The random heat assignment was very professional. We didn’t get thirsty. The shirt was very decent and good-looking. The entire event was just so professional. Respect to all of you.

The After Party

Mickoy Cagalingan offered his place for the after party. It was a good place to socialize and have fun. There were people from United, Skate of the Nation, Contach Longboards, Society Longboards, UNITEC, Funbox Skate Shop, and a lot other skaters. We had bulalo and chicharon bulaklak for dinner. As for me, I grilled liempo which Mickoy placed in Rosemary marinade. Respect to you Mickoy!

———————-

THANKSGIVING

I want to thank God first and foremost for this amazing experience, my parents for allowing me to join, my sponsor TUSS for basically everything, GGA and HC3 sponsors for making the event possible, Bea Celdran for the helmet, Dex Tan for the board and breakfast, MLOB for the energy drink, everyone who helped me and skated with me, and those who believed and cheered for me! Respect!

And to those who doubted me, respect to all of you.

Photo credits: Ayel de Pano, Gethro Velasco, Mark Cahiles, MLOB, TUSS, Mickoy Cagalingan, Juan Janeyo

He’s not my type, physically, but he has amazing talents in music. He is a saxophonist and gets paid big to play. He is even good in flute. I have not heard him play but in my mind I really thought he was very interesting.

I get kilig when he talks to me. We love comparing photos and asking each other’s opinion about our plates. I spend more more than 8 hours in the dark room per week. That’s the amount of time I spend with him.

Our class officially ended today. We talked again before saying goodbye, congratulating each other for surviving the semester. He walked away, I walked away. Still I do not know his name.

If one day, you happen to stumble upon this blog post, I’d like you to know that you are worth remembering.

Kilig days over. Moving on to the next and sadly, the last semester.

This summer, I had the chance of joining the first ever Mindanao Longboarding Tour which was hosted by the BXU Local Locos in partnership with The United Skate Shop (TUSS), Driftwood Local Ent (DWLE), Joint Outdoor Culture and Fun Box. YAY for this dream come true.The event covered areas like Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Nasipit, Butuan, Liangga, and Lanuza.

My favorite hill was the Serpent Road in Iligan. It speeds up to 80-90 kph. I was really scared to bomb it in the first place because I haven’t skated for three weeks, as in literally no skate. I bombed it little by little, going higher after each run until I felt like I was ready to bomb it from the top. Doing it slowly helped me bring back the confidence I needed when bombing hills. Here’s the thing: Even if you start from a low point, when your scared, you’ll fall, but no matter how high you start from and how fast you get, as long as you’re relaxed, you’ll get out alive. Like I always tell myself when skating and surfing- Once you doubt, there’s no way out. It always ends up with a wipe out.

I asked Fab and Dandoy to accompany me as I bomb the hill from the top. They suggested that I do a free ride first for safety. Being hard-headed, I tucked from the shoulder of the hill. Reaching the finish line, I realized it wasn’t that hard. So I asked them again to accompany me for a second run from the top, this time I decided to tuck it all the way. Dandoy told me not to because it was too fast and I wouldn’t make it. Di ko daw kaya. I understand that he was just concerned but I know deep inside that I can, na kaya ko, and I’m gonna own it. So I did it. I tucked it all the way from the top. And hell yeah, I MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS REALLY REALLY STOKED THEN! I felt the craving for more.

When the Iligan local, Jo Romano, invited everyone to bomb the hill from a higher point, I was overjoyed. It was faster, and much better

(C) Kent Sato, Mark Andrian Ian Flores

Ahh, Serpent Road…I am in love. I hope to see you soon.

Day 1 (April 16, 2011)

Arrived Bagasbas Beach at around 6AM. Our Surfing Sensei, Hiroshi Yokohama, offered to give us a ride since he also had to go to Bicol for a meeting with the governor on wakeboarding-related matters. He told us that Daet isn’t really on his list of favorite surfing spots in the Philippines but the waves were good that morning that we ended up renting longboards and having a quick surfing lesson with the Surfing Guru.

 Ayin, the best surfer among us. Naks.

(I’m going share my experience on this through another blog post)

After the morning surf, I met up with my friends (finally) Kaloi, Neo/Alexis, and Duke. It was only my second time meeting them but they seemed so much like brothers to me.

Duke, Kaloi, Kat, Alexis

(sorry naman sa cycling shorts ko, cycling over boardshorts na ko, mas comfy, wala pang rashes)

They had to leave us for a while because they have skim lessons (them teaching). Hiroshi invited us for lunch at Leo’s (which we later figured out to be owned by Duke’s family). But before walking to Leo’s, I saw someone at the scramble store waving at me, haha, TJ, another friend, who owns Slicksurf Skimboards (check out their Facebook page).

We had singang na hipon, calamares, and sizzling dinorado (must try at Leo’s!). Then we viewed our photos for a while, had a cup of scramble, and said goodbye to Hiroshi. Thank you so much for everything, Sensei.Hiroshi, Ayin, Kat

 We then moved our stuff to the surf shack which served as our home for a night together with the Slicksurf crew and the Uragon Longboarders.

The Surf Shack

That night we had some slalom sessions and enjoyed a great performance from the [Coffeebreak Island].

In conclusion, maaksyon ang DAY 1…pero mas maaksyon ang DAY 2.

Day 2 (April 17, 2011)

We woke up at 530AM for a morning surf. Waves were really good that morning but we had to go back to the surf shack at 7AM. A bomb session at the Bitukang Manok was scheduled at 830AM that day. For the longest time, I have been wanting to bomb this hill. That day, my dream came true.

Because not everyone slept at the shack, we all met up at the Slicksurf workshop. The place had a backyard skate bowl where the boys played while waiting for the others to come.

Joker, Duke, Van

I thought it was just an ordinary bomb session. To my surprise, a GMA crew went with us. We even rode in their van. I never thought my first attempt of bombing bitukang manok would be televised. LOL. Before the run, we were briefed by the crew. I was a surfer, a skater, and an actress for a day, haha.

Since it was my first drop at the hill, I really had no idea how fast it would get. Nonetheless, I went on bombing. I only did a few pushes and carved my way down to the first hairpin. I felt my board speeding up after that. I realized I just cleaned and lubed my bearings prior to the Daet trip so my board was kind of…fast. I overtook some guys (and I didn’t mean to do so) and cut in their lanes at the second hairpin. Two guys, Nico and Kaloi ended up getting wiped out. Again, I’m sorry. BIG HUG guys, hehe. We were interviewed by the GMA crew because of that.

We stayed at the Bitukang Manok for several more hours but the bombing didn’t end there. There were a lot of really awesome hills on our way home. There were the Military Hill, Queen’s Hill, and some unnamed. My favorite one’s the Queen’s hill. It runs up to 70kph for a minute and a half. It was so long I couldn’t tuck it all the way! I have to strengthen my hams to do so.

The last photo was the last pack run at the Queen’s hill. We in front of them, filming.

Upon arrival at the Bagasbas Beach, we immediately took of our outer clothes and went for an afternoon surf. We were tired but we didn’t want to waste no time. Darkness came and we had to go back to the shack and dressed up for the Sunday Rock at the Slicksurf Workshop.

Love ko na si Aizza at Aica!

Great bands, great party, awesome people.

Sulit Daet, 2 days pa lang yan.

Photo credits: Ayin Tamondong, Hiroshi Yokohama, John Lyter Liwanag

Hiroshi Yokohama

April 10 2011.

I know that my passion for surfing is sometimes unusual.

But I think it is a natural thing when it comes to sharing my thoughts with my friends who also love surfing and sometimes think the same way.

By the way, it is true that I was once very concerned about the surfing industry in the Philippines.

I established the first surfing school in this country, Yokohama Surfing School, and I also opened Yokohama Surfing Café around 15 years ago.

I don’t believe I am exaggerating when I say that surfing in the Philippines began here, whether or not you agree.

I was able to experience so many pleasures and exciting things as a pioneer. Some have called me a Surfing Guru.

I also went through a lot of sorrow and disappointment.

The struggles I encountered made me lose my passion for the surfing business and the whole community itself. But I decided to forget about those struggles and I eventually went back to soul surfing – no more events, no more contests, no more surfing business. Just surfing for myself as a soul surfer.

I have avoided acquainting with other surfers after I closed the surfing school and café. I started surfing by myself.

On the day of one of the La Union Longboard contests, I was surfing alone on 8 foot waves at Carille.

There must have been more than a thousand surfers crowding Monaliza for that event, and here I was surfing alone. I felt great sorrow and solitude, but I also got an ultimate feeling of freedom and it was then that I realized which direction I wanted to go as a soul surfer.

This was the start of my journey as a soul surfer.

I tried to search for points that I never encountered with other surfers and I was able to find several secret spots.

One day, there was a typhoon, and I went out to a secret point by boat but I had to pay extra to the boat man who hesitated to take me out because of the typhoon waves. We also had to bring along another boat for security. After we passed through the raging waves, I saw beautiful and huge breaks which I had never seen before. And these waves were only for me. I felt much solitude and sadness being alone, but also satisfaction that was overwhelming.

During a full moon, I paddled out in the middle of the night and surfed under the moonlight.  I felt like I went back to ancient times. I felt like my senses got sharper and I was slowly turning into a beast. This was the new foundation I had developed, the world of moonlight surfing. This is the world of soul surfing.

One of my ultimate encounters as a soul surfer was what I called “Blue Heaven”.

I didn’t go to this spot for 10 years.

I decided to check out the waves again and see what has become of the spot after all those years. I fell back in love in an instant.

Through surfing here, I realized that surfing to me had previously been absent-minded and carefree. This place made me remember that you need philosophy and order in surfing.

My values and philosophies of surfing seriously changed after surfing here again.

The waves were severe. If you so much as blinked, the hollow wave will eat you, and you will become a victim of the shallow reef.

I was possessed by the magical power of this place and it kept me going.

Before dawn hit, I passed by a forest of mangroves and walked on the coral reef toward the point. Then paddled out.

I would then leave when the other surfers arrived.

I frequented that spot, and I would always surf there alone.

Continuing this practice, my life as a surfer had completely changed.

The wonderful woman brings up a man.

This ultimate woman who was called “Cobra” had trained me well.

She surely changed me in terms of surfing, photography, writing, and my overall lifestyle.

It was the combination of the photogenic waves, the beautiful location, and the amazing surfer (Edmond). All these things created such perfection, in a sense that it was impossible not to take great pictures or write one of a kind pieces.

I was so attracted to the waves and the atmosphere in this place. I was not able to think of, let alone even go to other points anymore.

I surfed, took photographs, and wrote my thoughts.

In the beginning of this letter I wrote “my passion for surfing is sometimes unusual”, but that might change to “my passion for Cobra is unusual”.

To me, surfing meant surfing at Cobra. It may be true that my pursuit of surfing was equal to my pursuit to surf Cobra because Cobra to me, meant soul surfing.

My art was taking photographs of this point and to continue writing about my passion for Blue Heaven.

I was on a pursuit of soul surfing at this heavenly place, when some friends appeared to me who also shared the same passion and thoughts as me.

They were Mara, Kanta, Edmond, Gladis, and other soul brothers and sisters in Blue Heaven.

Not only did these people never distract me from my rhythm as a soul surfer, but they also made me feel very comfortable when I surfed with them.

They became my comfort zone, to the point that I didn’t surf as well when I was not with them.

I met many young locals there through Edmond and Gladis and we all became very close. We always spent time together after surfing.

It was really fun and I felt like it taught me not to alienate, and that I didn’t need to be alone because I could be happy with these friends. We were compadres of the ocean.

I wanted to take good care of these friends, and treat them like true soul brothers and sisters.

Through these people, my solitary, unsociable attitude slowly faded away, and I gradually started changing to a gentle and peaceful person.

In return I wanted to convey my knowledge, experience and passion for surfing to this younger generation.

When this thought came to me, young surfers began to appear to me. There happened to be a lot of very attractive girls.

They were very intelligent and energetic people, and they had charisma and the traits of a leader in all of them.

They might not realize this by themselves, but I know that they have the capacity to lead the next generation.

They were only just realizing their love and passion for surfing.

I believe I inspired a lot of these young hearts.

There were two young students that would go to Blue Heaven by bus and stay by the beach in a tent. One was an excellent student of UP and she was a scholar. It’s amazing because they could easily use their charm and get what they wanted from people but they were not the type to do such things. They were like cowboys, in fact the soul surfer could also be called the lonesome cowboy. This means that they are real soul surfers whether or not they know this.

They were also possessed by the spirit of Blue Heaven just like me, and they associated with my soul brothers and sisters.

If they associate with my soul brothers and sisters it means that they are one of us. I told them that, and treated them that way.

They shared my passion for Blue Heaven and we always talked about how we could help one another as a Destined Community in Blue Heaven.

Another girl, takes trips around the world and has an article in a magazine and newspaper. She cares for street children by volunteering when she comes back to the Philippines.

Another girl had considerably good looks, but she didn’t like being together with other surfers. She especially hated city surfers. She said they are very boastful, and they only think of pleasing themselves. She got many invitations from them but never accepted. She was lonely, and she let out all her passion into Siargao  and her friends from the island. She was a delicate and sensitive girl. She liked photography and writing.

I asked her what her dream was, and she said, “I just want to be a good surfer and share what I know to the next generation”.

Such a young and attractive number of people were gathered around me now.

I wanted to support these young people and I wanted to teach them all that I knew.

Actually, I shared my knowledge to them whenever possible.

However, now I’m wondering if my thoughts ever actually reach these people.

I also wonder if maybe I push my thoughts onto these kids too hard.

“You must do it like this, you must be like that.” I’m worried that my surfing philosophies and thoughts might make them feel that I am controlling them.

As for how I feel, meeting and hanging out with such young, attractive girls simply made my feel happy and excited again.

Maybe I dreamt that one day they would also want to be my disciples in surfing, and maybe I want to be like Mister Miyagi of Karate Kid, or the world of Kill Bill, like the master and pupil relationship of the movie “North Shore”.

I somehow made them call me “Sensei”.

However, I notice that some of these things are part of my selfish dream.

They are young, and they will still experience and do a lot of things before they reach their dreams. I sometimes wonder how big their passion truly is for surfing. How much of their heart is occupied by surfing?

When I think of these things, I sometimes feel that I pushed nonsense into these people about my way of surfing.

When I think about my past and how I was at a young age, I was not the best example in terms of soul surfing. I used it as a tool for my excitement.

They might be similar to how I was, maybe their drive is fueled by excitement like I was.

Maybe they only want to enjoy surfing as a romance for the summer moments.

They might not understand my intensity and what I always told them, “Surfing is my full time passion” and they may feel that it is a bit too much.

In fact, the more I talk about my passion and intensity for surfing, the more they might begin to feel uncomfortable.

If my teachings start to confuse and complicate things for them, then I am really saying nonsense.

Surfing should be released from such a thing and should be free from everything.

I chose the world of soul surfing to escape from such things and complications.

Now I am totally contradicting myself by pushing such teachings to these young people who are just beginning to find the passion for surfing.

The one thing that they should be learning is freedom, liberation of the mind through surfing,

And every surfer although learning from one another finds their own style by themselves.

There is no limitations or regulations in surfing.

I have almost crossed this line and maybe taught too much of my own style.

I intend to get back to solitude again and reflect upon myself as a soul surfer.

Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.

An old surfer never die; it is simply a state of mind.

PS Thank you Hiroshi for allowing me to repost this.

The ULTIMATE way to shedding off those excess baggage.

The ULTIMATE way to avoid becoming a couch potato.

And the ULTIMATE way to avoid boredom this summer!

That is, to learn and play the ULTIMATE beach sport!

Take your first step to being a CHAMPION!

Join UP DUO!

Summer Application starts April 4, 4pm.

Main Library Steps, North Wing, facing Long Island.

UP Diliman, Quezon City

OPEN TO UP AND NON UP

Contact Landon @ 09273821112

Venue: La Trinidad, Benguet

Budget: PhP 1500 (kanya kanya na lang)

Lodging: West Burnham Place, Kisad Road, Baguio City (c/o Mark Reyes)

Fare: Php 460, Student: 361

ACTIVITIES :

DAY 1, MArch 19

1.  Strawberry picking (8:00AM)

- Php 200

- bought strawberries too for PhP 50/kilo

2. Opening Program (11:00 AM)

- featured Cordillera Folk dances

- held at the gymnasium

3. Strawberry Eating Contest (3:00PM)

4: “Duting” wines and spirits (4:00PM)

- held at the Municipal grounds

DAY 2, March 20

1. Strawberry Fun Run and Walk (6:00AM)

– did not join but went there to watch

2. Strawberry Photoshoot

- did not have photo taken, line was long, too many people were there

3. Departure for Manila

-12noon

-8pm arrival

PLEASE BE GUIDED ACCORDINGLY. PHOTOS TO FOLLOW.

S, JARIC, MARCO, JAPES, PLEASE UPLOAD THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

(C) Carlo Navarro

I don’t owe anyone any explanation.

Surf and Friendship.

No pressure. No moneymaking.  Just pure stoke and genuine friendship. Away from the city.

BALER. Babalik-balikan kita.

February 5- GRAVITY GAMES

GG was held at Tagaytay Highlands. Went there with Jackie Junio and the cute couple Juancho Abejo and Steffi Relampagos. We didn’t finish the event since we all got sleepy but we were able to watch a few heats.

Wipeout!

Niqui Cui, the only girl who joined. Strong!

February 12-13 – UP MBS VALENTINE’S DAY DIVE @ PAGKILATAN, BATANGAS

First time ko mag LOMAG (J-TYPE). Doing it the the diver way.

Justin and the Lomag by Trixie Estomata

Here are some of the underwater photos. For the complete set of photos, click here.

Gene Villapando

(C) Ayin Tamondong

Here’s a video I made of the Pagkilatan Dive:

Awesome reef although some parts were destroyed due to the strong waves.

And oh, I got a love letter. Epic dive it was.

February 25-28- SURFS UP BALER!

Again, I went on a trip with my Outdoor Recreation classmates to my place of peace, Baler.  We were supposed to stay there only till the 27th but KTZ Noel allowed me to stay til the 28th. Thank you so much KTZ!

This Baler trip is actually very special. Why? I got my first surfboard. It’s a 5’7 Southpoint fish (epoxy). In my 4 days of stay in Baler, I only got to ride 4 waves! Well, it was fine since it was only  my fist time to use a short board. I don’t have a single picture with it but my classmates do.  lolTroy Limjap, (C) Ada Estanislao

My classmate, Marcotizer, made a video of our class trip to Baler:

I also met Christian Japanese  surfer friends, Hiroshi and Kanta and two other locals, Ate Gladis and Kuya Janggo. Isn’t it awesome? I think God made a way to actually  bring Christians to the surfing community. Here is a photo of us while hanging at Bahia de Baler. Photo was taken by Hiroshi.Apparently it was Kanta’s birthday so I sang a song for him.

Another epic event happened after this. That event actually made me love Baler and Charlie Does Family even more. We all agreed to keep what happened a secret, so yeah.  Till next time. Excited to go back to Baler!