Haler Baler

PROLOGUE aka "The Joy of Joyride Experience"

My brother Mike and I meet up at McDonald's Mindanao Avenue first to meet up with my Highschool classmates for our adventure last holy week. We needed to leave before midnight to avoid the traffic jam as everyone will be heading up north for a long weekend holiday (well, mostly: Baguio. Sagada. Ilocos. Pangasinan and so much more are just some few known destinations during Summer and all of these are at the Northern Part of Luzon). So much about the back story, I am here to talk about my Baler Experience anyway.

Surfin is what first comes to mind when you hear the word BALER. But there is more to that, that this place on earth has to offer.

Welcome to Baler, our home for the next 3 days. The most romantic place, the most fascinating place, and our Holy Week Adventure Begins now.

1st STOP: The Balete Eco-Park

During our visit, we were able to chance upon the Millennium Tree, also known as the “Balete Tree”, located in Brgy Quirino, Ma. Aurora, which is perhaps the largest and oldest Balete tree in Asia. It is estimated to be 600+ years old and is recognized by international scientists and media.It looks scary at first glance, but the tour guide was very funny, he's been doing a lot of camera tricks so it ease our fears. Hahaha


Next: The Mother Falls

This tour requires trekking to reach the mother falls. Mother falls is the largest falls in Aurora. We have a tour guide with us and we just followed the river and in the middle of the forest stood the majestic waterfalls. It was heaven. We jumped right off even if the water is extremely cold.

ERMITA HILL

Accordingly, a huge tsunami washed away the entire town of Baler back in December 1735. It almost wiped out the entire town, as the tsunami devoured thousands of lives, except for 7 families who found their way on top of Ermita Hill to seek survival thereby saving themselves from the wrath of the tsunami. These statues, located at the bottom of the hill, honor the families who survived.

Ermita Hill  gives a perfect top view as to how beautiful Baler is. Here doing our Team Baler Photo ops and the magnificent 360 degree view of Baler is our backdrop.

ANIAO Islets

Sup brother? Ano pinaglalaban natin.

Probably one of the highlights of this trip. A good place for photoshoots, having my brother on this trip who is also an actor is an advantage because I have a partner in crime for photo ops session. We took limitless photos. Visuals are really appealing.

HANGING BRIDGE OVER BALER WATER

Its good to learn that this is one of the longest hanging by bridge in country?

Railing is strong with good foundation, have adequate space and could accommodate many tourist at one time. For experience you need to cross the bridge to experience how it feels to walk and cross a hanging bridge. It will only take you a few minutes and proceed to your next destination.

SABANG SURF BEACH

Not your Boracay white beach, but the sand never get hot and the water is so nice to be in. Add the waves where everyone can play in... or SURF in... 

This one’s a no-brainer. You can’t visit Baler and not try surfing! All of us (10) had so much fun with the waves and water was just too much; quite a challenge and something different to do that you can't do in other beach... 

Plus, they made surfing easy. For 350 per hour, the instructors were so kind and patient to teach you how to surf properly.

If you love beaches, Sabang will not let you down with its vibrant and powerful wave.

CLINCHER

At the end of the long day full of activities, we treat ourselves with a funny dining experience. BOODLE FIGHT!!! We did all the cooking, buying fresh sea food at the public market, an extra added enjoyment for our getaway.

WE Will Definitely Go back BALER

I like everything about you. The smell of the earth is so pure. The cold water at Mother Falls and how I wanted to swim a little longer even if I was already shivering, the touch of the waves and its sounds whenever it crashes the shore is very relaxing, the sound of laughter from friends i get to spend the entire holy week with, the serenity of the lake, and the feeling of being full alive.

Go for it now. The future is never promised to anyone anyway. 

Until then,

Bibo

BUHAY AKTOR: Bibo in Chicken

Chicken
A film by Real Florido
Cinemalaya Film Institute



"Are you free tomorrow?" was the text I got from Real Florido, it was the same message I also received in Facebook messenger. I, for some reason just said yes. And he asked me if I have a camouflage pants and a gray shirt. Then I said Yes again. So he told me to be at Firestarter Office at 7:00 am and we'd go to Binangonan Rizal for a shoot.

This Director is the one that gave me an opportunity to act in a full length movie when I was starting to do workshop in acting. 

You may visit my previous post on my 1st ko si 3rd experience on these links:

My 1st ko si3rd experience

The Gala


I will be doing a special project for Cinemalaya 2015 where he is part of the Film Institute.

It is a great feeling to be part of this festival because it is the most patronized Independent Film Festival in the country.

Cinemalaya has always been a platform for aspiring actors, directors, cinematographers, and script writers to showcase their talents as well as to express their own creativity by producing such remarkable movies which I've been a witness years ago when it started. So here I am ready for my shoot.

By 6:00am I was already at the office waiting for the crew as we will travel to Binangonan for the shoot. 

My look for this film. A post-war surviving soldier.

with our Make-up Artist Rodolfo Sitchon

And some of the BTS photos which I have long shared on my Instagram and Facebook page.

After 2 days of Shooting, it's a wrap for us.

The Official Poster of Chicken

During the Gala Presentation of Chicken at the CCP

with our director Real Florido and my co-actor RJ Agustin

with my ever supportive friends

with GMA-7's VP for Entertainment Ma'am Lilybeth Rasonable

with my brother who's always been there for every project.

Thanks to my friends who came to support this film.

with Cinemalaya Institute President Laurice Guillen at the Gala night.

Cinemalaya doesn’t only focus on full-length films but also gives importance to the short features.
The Cinemalaya shorts provide great, witty and oftentimes humorous stories that are unusual, exceptional and sometimes eccentric all under 20 minutes. This year the panel asked the students of Film Institute to provide short feature in Black and white, with no speaking lines. And that's quite of a challenge for a filmmaker.

We all have to support Philippine Cinema, I choose to be part of this industry because I have so much faith in the artistry of Pinoys. I am hoping though that I may be able to participate this year's festival.So to any Directors and Producers out there, aheeemmmm. Hahaha

Until then,
Bibo 

 

Taste of Korea: DAEWANG

It’s been after a year since I first eat in this restaurant. It was my friend Nel Gumalog who suggested to try out here in Kalayaan, I was with my group of friends Nel, Mark and Chelina. 

I liked the food so I invited my brother/food buddy Mike to try it there and it became our favorite Korean Restaurant. We go there almost every time we have something to celebrate or sometimes even if we just feel to eat Korean food.




Daewang is located along Kalayaan Ave., Quezon City. They offer various Authentic Korean Dishes, but the most popular in their menu is the unlimited samgyupsal (grilled pork belly). For the price of P300.00/person, you can enjoy unlimited pork, charcoal-grilled right in front of you while you wait. And I kid you not, it is unlimited! Right beside the front door is the buffet table where you can get some sidings, veggies and for Filipinos, rice of course!


I used to have a Korean employer so I've been used to seeing them eat samgyupsal where they wrap the grilled pork with lettuce and eat it just like that, almost like tacos. The lettuce tastes bland of course so it’s up to you to put in some more spices and seasoning. It’s also a good alternative for those who want to cut on rice and carbs.


The place is simple, there is no air-conditions running, but there are fans around the place. Like a typical barbeque restaurant in the Korean dramas, the tables have a big hole in the middle where the charcoals and grill are placed to cook the striped pork belly. We usually visit the place afterlunch-hour;  like between 2 pm to 5pm where we find ourselves the only customers being served at. And we like it because we have freedom to always go back and forth to the buffet table. lol


It’s advisable to bring extra shirt, if planning to go somewhere after eating there, because the smell of food always clings to the clothes.

Try my other Korean Food Resto Reviews on this link: Taste of Korea: Bulgogi

Korea: A Foodie Paradise

Taste of Korea: Wang Mart

and my latest entry You had me at SAMGYUPSAL

And YES: Good Food is sweeter when shared with Good Friends.


Until our next foodtrip adventure,

Bibo

Taste of Korea: O Ga Ne (You had me at Samgyupsal)

I frequent Tomas Morato, but I never really realized that there is a good Korean dine in this area near ABSCBN. A korean joint that is worth your money. 

TWO WORDS: UNLIMITED SAMGYUPSAL! How much? 350 pesos! with one serving of rice and a bunch of korean side dishes (Kimchi will always be my favorite) and boy, you gotta see how thick their meat is.

On this food trip adventure, I was joined by my brother Mike, it was our first time to eat there and I already see myself going back again this week. It was about midnight and we just came from an audition, we were looking for a good food. And I'm glad that this resto is 24-hours open. We were able to eat around 5 plates filled with meat. It was tasty and soft. Their sauce paired off really well with the meat including the sides. Mike especially loved the baby potatoes and seaweeds that were extra salty. 
We had fun cooking the meat. The smell though is quite strong but with the food, i didn't care about it that much. 

YES I am ALIVE

Going back to blogging after a long break can be very difficult.

It is after 6 months that I am logging in to my blog.

Yes, I went away for an extended holiday. Yes, I went with the full intention of logging in as soon as I am in front of my computer. Sadly it didn’t happen for me like that, nothing like that at all. I've been used to doing Facebook and Instagram and putting lengthy words can be tedious at times. In short, I got lazy. I am sorry.

And YES, I am inlove. So I give all my time to the person I am with because, I am, well- uhmmm, norturing a baby relationship. Yes, the past few months have been truly wonderful and frankly just what I needed. It was good for me to step back and slow down, to savor sunny and sweet moments with the love of my life, attended casting calls, did some films, mostly shorts, had an AVPs with some corporations, celebrated Christmas and New Year and Valentines Day, hahahaha but the truth is that I missed this place, and all of you. And I know that my relationship is going to last a lifetime anyway so here I am unapologetic and jumping into Blogging again. 

Hello 2016, I am again dusting off my favorite spot in the cyber world, THE BiboBayona.Blogspot.com page. 

Today is a big day. I am on my way to Makati for  my rehearsals and fitting for the first commercial I booked this year. Shoot will be on Monday and Wednesday, so I think that everything is smooth sailing I figure  this is the perfect point to return here, to this spot I love to do this thing I love. It’s high time to tell more small stories about self and world, to unpack and honor the sweetness and struggle at the heart of my life, to ask big, unwieldy questions that seem urgent and interesting and meaningful somehow, to share simple and profound things I love and admire.

I still have to come up with a plan as to how I can regularly update my site, maybe I should schedule my post like M-W-F or T-TH-S,  but this is what make me being me, the unpredictability, and unfrequency, feels so right. 

But if you want to know more stuff about me, my Instagram is also public, follow me there: www.instagram.com/bibobayona, where I tend to eschew limits and go overboard and post tons.

Anyway, I’m genuinely thrilled to be back to blogging and and there is so much to smile about. And write about.  So that’s just what I’ll do.

Happy March everyone.

Until then,

Bibo