Believe me when I tell you there is more to Aurora than just Baler...
On a Saturday, 20 individuals were invited to be part of an intimate gathering by posting a selfie under the tree along with a personal story. Since our stories have already been shared on Instagram and sir Ito Kish and BJ have already read them, it was BJ Pascual's turn to share his own story of humble beginnings to current work success in the Fashion industry that involved his passion: Photography.
August has been pretty good to me in spite of the many negative vibes I have encountered. I was finally able to give myself a very belated birthday gift: A much needed trip to Baler. I cannot stress enough how badly I wanted to go to the beach ever since my last trip to Zambales last January. LAST JANUARY! Insane how time flies so fast as I'm writing this, it's already the first BER month of the year. 7 long months of waiting (which felt like forever) and finally...BALER!
Baler has always been one of the many beautiful places here in our country that I wanted to visit so badly. It doesn't matter if I burn my butt off for seating 5-6 hours just to get there because I know it'll all be worth it. There were a lot of changes in the plan before I proceeded with Baler btw. Originally, it was me and my boyfriend going together but due to work commitment, he couldn't come with me anymore so the thought of travelling solo triggered. I began researching safe places that female solo travelers can go and felt kind of sad because majority was part of the VisMin region already which left me a few options in the Luzon area: Sagada, Banaue and Pagudpud. Solo travel is something I have never done before. "You going to the beach alone? You're not really that insane yet right?" I remember my former TL telling me when I told her about my plan. Then all of a sudden, in the midst of researching, I found myself half thinking. I felt scared to proceed for my own security. Maybe next time when I feel much more determined and adventurous to go but for now, it's a NO (Oh my god that rhymed!). So I asked a few selected friends whom I think would agree to come with me and found Trixia.
We encountered a few glitches prior to our arrival in Baler. I left our house at 10 PM because we were trying to catch up the 1st direct trip to Baler at 12 midnight in Cubao. I did not expect how insane the Friday traffic was even at that hour! I arrived 15 minutes before 12 on the terminal and worst, we found out that all trips were already fully booked! My eyes narrowed for a good 3 seconds when I heard the news. I couldn't afford to wait long so we took the Cabanatuan route instead. From Cabanatuan, we had to ride another van bound to Baler which is cheaper. And our journey continued on the most uncomfortable van ride ever. I was mostly crouched on the same position for 3 and a half hours!
By the way our budget was PHP 3,000 for 3 days and 2 nights, ALL IN. It's very doable, you just have to mind your expenses all throughout the trip. We went a bit beyond the budget because we were eating all the time! Also, find the cheapest accommodation possible to stretch your budget. We stayed at The Circle Hostel. They have pretty cheap rates depending on the season. We were charged the "off season rate" which is PHP 450/night & head for a bunk bed. The main mode of transportation in Aurora is tricycle. Haggle as much as possible to tricycle drivers who can take you around the spots in a budget. Trixia and I spent 350 each for 2 days on 2 different tricycle drivers. PHP 150 for a round trip from the hostel to Diguisit Beach and 200 for a round trip from the hostel to Ditumabo Falls, Hanging bridge and Balete tree (We didn't proceed w/ the hanging bridge and Balete tree anymore). I think the price will all vary depending on what you have agreed upon.
During this trip, I realized a couple of things:
1. That I am not made for trekking or going up mountains. We trekked to Ditumabo falls and even though the path wasn't totally complicated, I was complaining all the time and kept asking our guide "Kuya, are we there yet?"
2. First time experiences aren't so bad. I have a knack for places I have never been to and slowly crossing out the many things I have never done. Like trekking and seeing an actual waterfalls and soaking in it. I was in total awe and wonder as to how come the water from the falls doesn't run out and doesn't flood in the entire area??? I mean, I'm curious. God created such beautiful places.
3. That I can live in Baler.
"Travel now, worry later." were the words I made out in my head that I want to leave behind as my track while I looking through the many words past travelers from the hostel has left behind. You get to paint and leave behind your "tracks" on the walls or pretty much anything at The Circle Hostel. I realized it takes some quiet time in a much calmer place to get a regular person's rhythm back again. Baler, you got me. I almost never wanted to go because everything just felt so chill. This is the kind of life I'd choose more than anything: simplicity.
#WHERESTEPHYWENT is a hashtag I made to properly label and document my travels. You may check out the hashtag on Instagram to see the many beautiful places I've visited. I will make it a point to document my experiences and travels (through the hashtag) and improve the way I speak in front of the camera. I still feel and look awkward! Please let me know what you guys think about the vlog! Thank you. x
Last April, I remember my best friend and I talking about Charlie Puth and how we wish him to come and have a concert here in the Philippines. A few days later, a concert announcement came for August 14th and we went nuts over the news. We made sure to buy tickets on the very day it went on sale to the public. I was aiming for front row seats but because TicketNet's website sucks, we landed at the 10th row spot after 30 minutes of trying. That's how fast the VIP seats were selling.
Since I loved most of his singles, I made sure to listen to his whole album as well so I could sing along with him and the crowd on the night of his concert. His songs also served as my go-to remedy for bad days, until now.
I cannot remember the last time I fan girled so much over someone that I admire. At some point during Charlie's concert last night, I was euphoric enough to get teary eyed. I never understood people who cry at concerts actually or whenever they get a chance to meet and greet their idols. I feel like they're over reacting but last night I slowly understood them. I was overwhelmed to live in that moment. As another Charlie (from Perks of being a wallflower) have said: "I feel infinite." and I swear last night, I felt the same way.
And if there's another thing I would advice people to try, aside from travelling young, it's to experience attending a concert. I swear it feels great!
I cannot remember the last time I fan girled so much over someone that I admire. At some point during Charlie's concert last night, I was euphoric enough to get teary eyed. I never understood people who cry at concerts actually or whenever they get a chance to meet and greet their idols. I feel like they're over reacting but last night I slowly understood them. I was overwhelmed to live in that moment. As another Charlie (from Perks of being a wallflower) have said: "I feel infinite." and I swear last night, I felt the same way.
And if there's another thing I would advice people to try, aside from travelling young, it's to experience attending a concert. I swear it feels great!
*last photo not mine
I just realized it's so difficult to vlog on concerts! I was creep snapping all the time since point and shoot as well as DSLR cameras weren't allowed to take videos. And the security/bouncers were so creepy. UGH. Since my phone's camera suck, I had no choice but to bend the rules. I apologize if my vlog is shaky and the audio is a bit bad. There's a part in my camera that I don't realize I'm covering that's why the audio sounds weird. But I do hope you enjoy watching it in spite of its flaws. I'm still a newbie in this whole vlogging thing and I'll be working on it next time. Please do play it on HD and give it a thumbs up on my Youtube channel. THANK YOU!
There are 2 awesome things that happened over the weekend here in the Philippines: 1. Paradise International Music festival with Kanye West heading the line up. 2. Hailee Steinfeld's Mall show at UPTown Mall in Taguig City. I was truly desperate to grab tickets for free bound to ParadiseIMF by joining countless contests on Instagram but unfortunately (or shall I say fortunately?) I didn't score one. So as a fall back for my poor soul, I opted to go with my friend, Bernz to Hailee's Mall Show. We haven't seen each other for 2 years! It was a very spontaneous decision to go, really and I'm thankful I was able to set aside my lola side for this.
This blog post highlights a lot of firsts for this year: first blog update, first beach trip, my first time ever in Zambales and our first attempt to surf without an instructor. (hint: We're first timers.) Lame attempt and a dangerous one. I know.
