When in Manila and wanting to beat the heat, I bet you could only think of two things: cozying up the cool, mountain ranges of Baguio or taking advantage of the golden rays by getting a nice tan at the beach!
Recently, surfers, music enthusiasts, travelers, and friends got themselves stoked at the first ever Philippine surf and music festival in Aurora, Baler.
Aloha!
Aloha Boardsports in cooperation with Travel Factor hosted the largest surf and music festival held in the Philippines. With more than 600 registrants, the beautiful province of Baler has turned to a very welcoming host to riders, surfers, music enthusiasts, and beach bums.
A remedy for getting bored is getting aboard a board!
Only in Baler did I know what skimboarding is. Heehee. I take it as I should go out more.
We kicked off the first ever Philippine surf and music festival with surf classes held by no other than our country’s award winning surfers, including Jeff dela Torre, Corey Wills, Mona Neuboeck, Buji Libarnes, Nikki dela Paz, Wilson Faraon, and Rommel Rojo.
…and stoked themselves they did.
It wouldn’t be called surf and music festival for nothing! As if the day on board wasn’t enough, numerous bands, including Franco and Tropical Depression, started the first night (yes, there was a second night!) with a bang! And a huge one, I should say.
My friend from Talahib, Burn Belacho, playing for Juan Drama
Coffee Break Island
Tropical Depression
Franco
Paolo “8″ Toleran and Franco Reyes
Franco firing up the crowd
Wife and husband tandem Pam and Mike Eijansantos of MyLifeOnBoard.net
Moi with Rico of Aloha Boardsports and Bern of OneSport Magazine
Our little “after-party” party with Tropical Depression
As if not tired from a day of partying, the second day of the Aloha Boardsports Surf and Music Festival was made awesome by the much-awaited Surfvivor Surfing Competition. Hundreds gathered, both as spectators and surfers, at the shores of Sabang to witness and give cheer to the participants.
Getting ready at the shores of Sabang
The ever-intense competition has declared Julienne Sayoc as the champion of the mix tandem category and Ting Manrique for the mix solo category.
I’ll be all smiles like Julienne Sayoc, too, if I surfed as good as her and won, too!
Surfvivor’s final four (mix solo competition)
Wolfgang
Salamin
Photos Cortesy of Pam Eijansantos
That’s so much fun and awesomeness packed in two straight days! If only weekends were longer, I bet we could have pulled-up something Woodstock-ish on the shores of Baler, Aurora.
A pair of glasses during breakfast only means one thing: someone partied hard last night! That’s Joan of JackTV with her staff
One of the best things about festivals like this: meeting and making new friends! Mike and Pam Eijansantos of MyLifeOnBoard.net with Edsel Ochoa and Bern Agbulos of OneSport Magazine
Surfing mavens Nikkie and Budjie with OneSport Magazine’s publisher and OneSport Radio’s Edsel (or boss, as we call him)
Yup! Jericho surfs too. And I have nothing but kind words for this guy. He has a genuine, kind heart so yeah, swoon over.
Meet Tereze Lamdang – the youngest surfer who can really (and I mean REALLY) ride waves. At 6, she has already earned the respect of local surfers.
Catching some last-minute waves before heading home
Poi!
Now that summer is nearing, I bet you are already itching to go to the beach! Check out an Aloha Boardsports shop near you – their collection includes a wide variety of apparel, boards, and other cool stuff you need for ANYTHING involving sand and boards. And while you’re at it, you may also want to check some tour packages organized by Travel Factor.
The first Philippine surf and music festival has been brought to you by Aloha Baordsports, the biggest surf and skate retail company in the Philippines, and Travel Factor, the leading organization dedicated to providing adventure tours in the Philippines and abroad. This even is presented by the Local Government of Baler, Aurora, Aurora Tourism, Jamba Juice, Havaianas, Manila Beer, and Pentax, and in cooperation with Jack TV, Uno Magazine, One Sport, Lokal Soul, PinoyFitness.com, Republic, MyLifeOnBoard.net, and yours truly, WhenInManila.com.
Aloha Boardsports
Travel Factor
Aloha Boardsports Surf and Music Festival – First Philippine Surf and Music Festival in Baler, Aurora
