More from The Pitstop

The Island Paradise Adventure Race is "a 9-day auto rally through 8 tourist destinations/provinces in Luzon based on a "on-time, all the time" system, featuring 35 teams. Each team shall be composed of 3 persons, one of whom will be required to perform certain physical and mental challenges at the control points and pit stops". The concept was borrowed by the Department of Tourism from the reality TV show - Amazing Race. Only here, the participants can bring their own car. It's a project of the DOT Region III and Baler is the first pitstop. The local tourism office prepared a grand welcome for the participants. It includes a fiesta-like setup at the beach which showcased the best of Aurora - foods, bazaars, parties, streetdancers and the komedya. At San Luis, the contestants were required to finish a sabutan hat before going to the pitstop.

I only checked out the Saturday afternoon gig and enjoyed the komedya and a pack of sistarong kibit. The event was well attended. There was also a night beach party which I hope was never spoiled by the rain (a regular summer thing in Baler - night time rains after a boiling-hot day). Then there was a send-off event on Sunday morning.

Check out the inq7.net news about the race.




No swimming signs on some dangerous parts of the beach.



I think i've seen these flags before.



Nothing beats watching a komedya by the beach on a hot summer afternoon.



Free mura galore.



The buko girls.



From the balcony.



Hmm. These peeps look familiar.



Haute-couture Buhangin style



Cars with adspace.



Hey there are scratches on my Expedition!



The welcoming committee.



The usherettes.



The kids of the Pangkat Kawayan, dressed in bamboo green.



Spot your relatives.