BATANGBALER

Where Were You?

2007-03-19T09:34:00.000+08:00

Huy, lumipat na po ang Batangbaler ---> www.batangbaler.net

Also try this new brew --> I swallowed a bug

Mabuhe!

Great Pinoy Commercials

2007-01-18T01:44:00.000+08:00

One reason why I still watch TV, the commercials. Here's a bunch of classic "patalastas" i found on youtube. Enjoy!

Wesley Autrey - Subway Superman

2007-01-08T00:33:00.000+08:00

Some backgrounder:
Man is Rescued by Stranger on Subway Tracks
NYC subway savior's actions merit money, gifts and attention

David Letterman spot

The ABC News coverage

The CBS News coverage

And a wikipedia entry about him is already up

Somethings Cookin!

2006-12-23T01:06:00.000+08:00

Somethings cooking in this blog. Watch out! For your daily dose of Baler and other ka-Akawan, check out www.batangbaler.net

Lipat Bahay

2006-06-09T17:05:00.000+08:00

Lumipat na po ang batangbaler sa address na ito: www.batangbaler.net. Maraming salamat.

Dam

2006-03-22T19:16:00.000+08:00

NIA Dam, San Luis, Aurora. Favoric picnic place for birthdays.

A Special Message

2006-03-22T19:03:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow is a special day. Tomorrow is Arnold Costa's birthday. Happy Birthday Banot! From your wife Donna and kids, Ymay and Gay!

More greetings from Barangay Batangbaler.

Houston, We Have A Problem

2006-03-22T17:47:00.000+08:00

Howdy!

It seems like the website was attacked or something. Everything is down temporarily.... or permanently if things get worse. Initial CSI investigation points to a corrupted SQL database, the program that handles and stores all the data in the website.

In the meantime...back to blogspot!

Migration

2006-03-04T13:59:00.000+08:00

Batangbaler have migrated at www.batangbaler.net.

If you are linking to Batangbaler using this address (batangbaler.blogspot.com), please change it to www.batangbaler.net.

New entries will be posted at the new location but you can always visit here for nostalgia.

3 NPAs, lawman killed in clashes

2006-03-03T15:39:00.000+08:00

from journal.com.ph: 3 NPAs, lawman killed in clashes. "In San Luis, Aurora, Lapinid said about 12 NPA rebels harassed a detachment of the Army's 48th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Dimagaan, Barangay Diteke at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday killing Cpl. Rico C. Dumabrigue and wounding Cpl. Donald K. Baguba."

Read complete news

The 2nd Aurora Skateboarding Cup

2006-03-02T18:09:00.000+08:00

The event was held on February 11 at the Municipal Plaza as a part of the Aurora Day Celebration. It was organized by the Baler/Aurora Skateboarders and sponsored by the Provincial Government of Aurora and Pepsi.

The winners:

Open Category:
First - Robert Franco (Manila)
Second - Aaron Sagun (Baguio)
Third - Benedict moral (Baler)
Fourth - Angelo Torre (Baler)

Local Category:
First - Justin Angara
Second - Kevin Omana
Third - Jeffrey Quiambao

Here are 45 pictures from the event. Some pictures provided by Engr. Eric Andal, the Event Organizer.

Digital Village to Help Farmers Predict Weather Conditions

2006-03-01T12:40:00.000+08:00

from asianjournal.com: Digital Village to Help Farmers Predict Weather Conditions. "A digital village equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that would enable farmers to pre-determine weather conditions and prices of agricultural products through the use of the Internet is being set up this capital town for some 13,000 local farmers.

Sen. Edgardo Angara told newsmen that the digital village, the first of its kind, will rise in a five-hectare site in Barangay Buhangin in this town. The site used to house the submarine cable center of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

Angara said the digital village, his pet project, will have an initial venture capital of P20 million and will involve the upgrading of existing facilities such as warehouse, dormitory and training center. "

Read the complete news.

P1-B furniture village eyed in Aurora

2006-03-01T12:28:00.000+08:00

from journal.com.ph: P1-B furniture village eyed in Aurora. "A wood manufacturing firm is eyeing the establishment of a P1-billion furniture village in the province.

The Industries Development Corp. seeks to build the furniture village in the tri-boundaries of the DICADI (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan) area which could generate 6,700 jobs.

Michael Ong, vice president of IDC, said that based on preliminary studies, the project could generate investments of P1.1 billion. The IDC, he said, will provide the raw materials for manufacturing doors, furniture, molding, LVL, plywood, venner, wooden toys and accessories.

He said the project, once fully operational, could generate P3.1 billion revenue per year."

Read the complete news.

My comment: This could also generate more floodings and possibly deaths in the area. What's your take on this?

SEAir Flies to Baler

2006-02-28T17:15:00.000+08:00

Regular flights between Manila and Baler, Aurora started on February 17, this was a landmark event for a province that has been carrying out frenzied efforts to break out from remoteness and isolation.

Under an agreement with SEAIR, an airline with a solid record of domestic service, Genesis Transport Sea Air will charter and make available 19-seat planes on an ongoing basis.

The service will initially offer two flights per week, with departures at 8:00 am every Monday and Friday from the Manila Domestic terminal. The flights from Baler Airport back to Manila will be at 9:30 am on Mondays and Fridays. One way fare has been set at P2,500, inclusive of VAT, passenger insurance and other charges.

from aurora.ph
Click here for more details.

Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement

In the News

2006-02-27T12:16:00.000+08:00

from abs-cbn interactive: RP-Japan highway to boost trade. "Trade and commerce will be boosted in Northern Luzon with the rehabilitation this year of a mountain roadway to be financed under the Philippine-Japan Highway Project.""When completed, the road project linking Baler, Aurora to San Jose City in Nueva Ecija and the rest of Luzon will lessen travel time by an hour".

Read complete news.

from inq7.net: Mayor not yet cleared of slay. "The Department of Justice has ordered a new investigation on the possible link of Mayor Jaime Ylarde of Dingalan, Aurora, to the 2005 murder of a local publisher. In a three-page resolution, Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco referred to the National Bureau of Investigation and the police the “further investigation of the possible involvement of Ylarde, as well as of other persons,” in the murder of Starline Times Recorder publisher Philip Agustin."

Read complete news

Bb. Aurora - Swimsuit Edition

2006-02-25T18:25:00.000+08:00

While the country is still in a State of National Emergency, here are the swimsuit pictures of the Bb. Aurora 2006 candidates. Click here or the photo below to go to the gallery.

Trees keep falling in Aurora forests

2006-02-25T17:31:00.000+08:00

from inq7.net: Trees keep falling in Aurora forests. "ILLEGAL LOGGING activities have remained rampant and unchecked in at least two Aurora towns even on the heels of killer landslides in 2004, a Catholic priest told the Inquirer on Wednesday.Fr. Antonio Evangelista, of the St. Patrick Parish in Dingalan town, said it was through the efforts of the parish pastoral council that policemen and foresters from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources seized 2,221 board feet or 34 pieces of logs loaded in a truck in Barangay Paltic on Monday.Evangelista said the logs were hauled by boat from Barangay Dinakapinisan in San Luis town."

Read the complete news

Siempre Aurora!

2006-02-24T19:35:00.000+08:00

The first batch of pictures of the booths and galleries of the Siempre Aurora! Trade Fair and the Aurora Tourism and Investment Galleries are now online.Click here or the picture below to go to the photo gallery. More to come.

Aurora Day 2006 - More Parade Photos

2006-02-24T19:12:00.000+08:00

More parade pictures are uploaded at the photo gallery. I took the parade pictures at Burgos St., in front of the two houses that burned yesterday. The houses are visible in some pictures. Click on the image below to visit the gallery.

Burgos Street Fire

2006-02-24T12:40:00.000+08:00

The fire happened yesterday (February 23) at around 12:00 noon at Burgos St. near the corner of San Luis St. (three streets directly in front of Baler Church). Two houses burned down, one is the Delos Santos residence and the other one on its right. I have no info about the cause of the fire but it happened during a brownout. Firemen from the four central Aurora towns and the local residents helped in putting out the fire and preventing it from further spreading. No one was hurt.

Aurora Day Photos on Aurora.ph

2006-02-24T12:15:00.000+08:00

Check out the photos of the 27th Aurora Foundation Day Anniversary at aurora.ph. and while you're at it, also check out the new photo gallery. I see some of my pictures there although they are not credited. No prob for me. The more the merrier.

Photo Gallery Advisory

2006-02-23T09:02:00.000+08:00

For your viewing pleasure, new photo sets are now posted on the Batangbaler Photo Gallery. The direct link is http://www.batangbaler.net/photos/. Pictures are posted in separate albums and categories.

To those complaining that the pictures are not clear enough, BB pictures have never been more clear and crisp than now. The pictures displayed in the gallery are not in their original sizes. To view the bigger and clearer versions, just click on the pictures and a new window will open displaying the photos in their full 480-pixel glory. If you're interested in acquiring the original copies of the pictures which are as big as 30X20 inches, just contact me at the email address listed on the ho0mepage.

DoJ drops case vs Dingalan mayor over journalist's death

2006-02-23T08:56:00.000+08:00

from inq7.net: DoJ drops case vs Dingalan mayor over journalist's death. "HE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) has dismissed for lack of evidence a case against a town mayor in Aurora province for murder of a journalist last year, according to a resolution issued by the DoJ.

The department instead recommended that the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police investigate further the "possible" role of Dingalan Mayor Jaime Ylarde in the death of Philip Agustin but would pursue the case against three others, Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said in the three-page document.

"There is not enough evidence to establish whether or not Mayor Ylarde is involved in the killing of Agustin," Velasco said.

Read the complete news.

Travel on Baler-Bongabong Road Banned

2006-02-23T08:49:00.000+08:00

from inq7.net: Travel on landslide-prone highway banned. "The Department of Public Works and Highways continued to enforce the travel ban along the Aurora side of the Bongabon (Nueva Ecija)-Baler Highway as mild rains hit the area.Ramon Aquino, DPWH director in Central Luzon, said they were issuing the advice early to prevent loss of lives along the highway’s 61.2-km landslide-prone sections.“Definitely, travel is not allowed,” said Aquino.Various hills there have been left bare by the landslides in 2004 and 2005 and some concrete portions of the road have eroded grounds underneath, he said on Tuesday.The Villa Maria segment in Maria Aurora town is particularly dangerous as two rivers bound the area. Floodwaters and mountain debris washed out the bridge there in December 2004, killing five people, three of whom were DPWH personnel clearing the road."

"Aquino said commuters should take the safer Pantabangan-Canili Road on their way to Aurora."

Read the complete news

my comment: The Canili-Pantabanga road...safe? ha ha ha!

Aurora Day 2006 - Parade

2006-02-22T17:04:00.001+08:00

Pictures of the Aurora Day Parade on February 19 are on the photo gallery. Just click the picture below to go to the gallery.

17 Central Luzon villages 'high-risk' to landslaides. Nine in Aurora

2006-02-21T11:53:00.000+08:00

from inq7.net: 17 Central Luzon villages 'high-risk' . "At least 17 upland villages in three Central Luzon provinces are at "high-risk" to landslides, according to the chief geologist of the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau here.

Orlando Pineda identified the highly vulnerable communities as Paltic, Caragsacan, Tanawan and Davil-Davilan in Dingalan town, Dimanayat and Diteki in San Luis town, Villa Maria in Maria Aurora town, Amper and Dinadiawan in Dipaculao town, all in Aurora; Labi in Bongabon town, Sawmill, South Poblacion, Malinao and Pantoc in Gabaldon town, all in Nueva Ecija; and Maamot, Sula and Lubigan in San Jose town in Tarlac."

Kagey's Pixes Now Up!

2006-02-20T17:36:00.000+08:00

Kage's pictures of the 10th Aurora Surfing Cup are ~~"slowly being uploaded"~~ now uploaded. Check it out.

Bb. Aurora 2006

2006-02-18T15:47:00.000+08:00

Ms. Abbie Shiela Misola Teh from Casiguran is this year's Bb. Aurora.

First runner-up is Nissan Pascua from Dipaculao (left) and Second Runner-Up is Ms. Jennifer Mendoza from San Luis (right). More pictures next yearssss.

10th Aurora Surfing Cup Complete Results

2006-02-17T08:05:00.000+08:00

Here's the complete results of the surfing cup, shamelessly copied from Kage's blog.

Men's Open:
Champion: Dionisio "Dodo" Espejon, SI
1st Runner-up: Alex "Al-Al"Comandante, SI
2nd Runner-up: Bonifacio "Arkipo" Figuron, SI
3rd Runner-up: Edmund "Django" Mendoza, BA

Junior Division:
Champion: Zaldy Coldura, SI
1st Runner-up: Joe Henry "Pakits" Tena, BA
2nd Runner-up: Joseph "Badok" Antipasado, SI
3rd Runner-up: Jefferson "Jeff" Dela Torre, BA

Wahine/Menehune Division:
Champion: Nildie Blancada, SI
1st Runner-up: Aubrey Namoro, BA
2nd Runner-up: Ella Namoro, BA
3rd Runner-up: Vangie Mendoza, BA

*****

I know you peeps are waiting for more pictures especially the Bb. Aurora pixes. I have them in my CF card waiting to be liberated. But i have tons of other things to do besides taking photos and blogging so you need to calm yourselves for a while. I'll TRY to do the BB Swimsuit Edition today if i get lucky and find a few minutes of free time. And off to the next event I go.....

BB Fundraising Update

2006-02-14T13:02:00.000+08:00

Great thanks to the early donors for the BB fundraising. The cash plus the pledges I received now adds up to a little more than 50% of the target. Thanks to Rubio Ruidera and Mr. & Mrs. Ador and Cora Del Prado, Kohne A. Bitong and Mayor Ariel Bitong, and Mr. Ric Atienza for your early replies.

For more info on how you can help, click here.

Result of the 10th Aurora Surfing Cup

2006-02-13T11:01:00.000+08:00

The 10th Aurora Surfing Cup ended yesterday and the awarding was held last night. PSF President Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. and Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo led the awarding ceremonies. The top winners in the Open Category are:

Champion - Dionisio Espejon (1) - Siargao
1st Runner-Up - Alex Commandante (4) - Siargao
2nd Runner-Up - Bonifacio Figuron (2) - Siargao
4th Runner-Up - Edmund Mendoza (6) - Baler

The numbers after their names are their current PSF rankings. Other winners will be posted soon. Don't change your channel.

In the meantime, here are more pictures from the event. Enjoy!

Note: I moved the pictures to the photo gallery. Just click here or the picture above to jump to the gallery. Enjoy!

Surf Action

2006-02-12T18:11:00.000+08:00

"Jawa! walang signal dito sa pipe!"

10th Aurora Surfing Cup Pictures

2006-02-12T16:37:00.000+08:00

Here's some pictures from the event. Enjoy!

I moved the pictures to the photo gallery for your viewing pleasure. Just click here or the picture above to go to the gallery.

Dinalungan Mayor Suspended

2006-02-12T08:54:00.000+08:00

from The Journal Online: Aurora Mayor Suspended. "The Sandiganbayan suspended for 90 days Dinalungan Mayor Marilyn Marquez for alleged graft in connection with the awarding of bangus fry concession to an unregistered cooperative.

Councilors Pedro Sambas and FelixAcosta filed the charges against Marquez in 2000 which was elevated to the Sandiganbayan on Oct. 4, 2005. The aldermen said Marquez violated the SB resolution which awarded the bangus fry concession to Nipoo Irrigators Association. The concession was awarded to a cooperative which was not registered in Dinalungan."

Read the complete news.

***

Note: News by Mamer Bañez, a Baler-based reporter.

2006 sees Philippine Surf Circuit start in February

2006-02-12T08:47:00.000+08:00

from surfersvillage.com's Global surf News: 2006 sees Philippine Surf Circuit start in February."Last year saw Congressman Pichay's promise to promote local surfing come to fruition. The Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF), launched the first ever surf circuit in the country in February of 2005. The circuit traveled to some of the country's choicest surf spots, uplifting the image of Philippine surfing both locally and internationally. In the end, the top twelve Filipino surfers were named based on a point system that was used throughout the year.

Each leg of last year's tour brought new adventures and experiences to everyone involved. There were some contest upsets as top surfers fell to dark horses in their heats. There were also hallmark moments and unbelievable heats as the level of the local surfers kept rising throughout the year. If you missed the action and excitement of last year's tour, make up for it this year! Buoyed by the success of the 2005 Philippine Surf Circuit, the Philippine Surf Federation is gearing up once again to bring the surf, sun and stoke to the country's surf spots.

It begins on February in Baler, Aurora known as one of the first surf communities in the country. Past the scenic Sierra Madre Mountains, lies Cemento Reef, a reef break known to challenge even the best local surfers. Afterwards the circuit will take a very short break. Not to worry, it will resume in May with a special All Women's Competition held at the famous Cloud 9 break of Siargao. Last year saw the first-ever women's competition, a landmark event in the local surf scene.

Read the complete story.

***

Note: This article was written by Kage Gozun who has a photo site here and a blog here. Kage is now in Baler with her bazooka camera.

Aurora Day 2006 Update

2006-02-10T17:10:00.000+08:00

The Aurora Day 2006 schedule was updated. The Aurora Skateboarding Cup was moved to February 11 from February 12, and the Awarding Ceremonies for the Surfing and Skateboarding Cup was combined and rescheduled on February 12 at the beach.

Chartered airplane crash-lands in Aurora

2006-02-10T16:47:00.000+08:00

from abs-cbn interactice: Chartered airplane crash-lands in Aurora. "Four persons were declared safe after a chartered Duke-B60 crash-landed at the Dilasag airstrip in the province of Aurora at 9 a.m. Wednesday, the Air Transportation Office said. The chartered plane owned by Pateco was piloted by Capt. Felix Endaya and Capt. Ludivico de la Cruz. Transportation office chief Nilo C. Jatico said the aircraft took off from Manila at around 6:30 a.m. One of the pilots said that when the aircraft touched down, its right wheel hit a soft spot on the runway, damaging the aircraft. He blamed bad weather for the crash."

Note: If i'm not mistaken, PATECO is that big logging and veneer company in Dilasag.

Ernie Herminigildo

2006-02-08T17:17:00.000+08:00

This is a bad news. Mr. Ernie Herminigildo was found dead last night at the apartment in Zabali where he lives. ~~There's an unverified report~~The police reported that he was murdered. Mr. Herminigildo was a teacher at Baler National High School and was one of the active persons in the cultural "scene" of the province. He also taught at Mount Carmel College. He was the person behind most of these sabutan creations admired in cultural shows inside and outside the province. He was the director of the Araw ng Aurora presentation during the Best of Central Luzon Showcase at Marilao, Bulacan last October 2005. Before his untimely death, he was busy coordinating the Street Dancing Festival for this year's Aurora Day Celebration.

10th Aurora Surfing Cup

2006-02-08T17:07:00.000+08:00

I'll try to blog the events leading to the Aurora Day Celebration. Today is the first day of the 10th Aurora Surfing Cup, the first leg of the 2006 Philippine Surfing Circuit. Scheduled events today are the registration and the welcome dinner and briefing of the competitors. I haven't checked the venue yet. It's been raining since morning. There's also a beach bazaar at Labasin.

Aurora Day 2006

2006-02-07T12:49:00.001+08:00

Updated as of February 10, 2006

Here's the almost final schedule of the 27th Foundation Anniversary of Aurora Province.
Date: February 8-19, 2006
This year's theme: "Aurora: Lalawigang Itinatag ng Galing at Sipag"

February 8 - 11
7:AM daily - 10th Aurora Surfing Cup (Sabang Beach and Cemento Beach)

February 11
4:00 PM - Aurora Skateboarding Cup (Baler Municipal Plaza)

February 12
7:00 PM - Awards Night - 10th Aurora Surfing Cup and Aurora Skateboarding Cup (Sabang Beach)

February 13
7:00 AM - Opening Ceremonies/Araw ng mga Kawani/Inter-Agency Fun Games (Capitol Grounds)

February 14
4:00 AM - Dayana para kay Doña Aurora (Baler Poblacion)
7:00 AM - Drum & Lyre/CAT-1 Competition (Capitol Grounds)
6:00 PM - Opening of Acoustic Nights at the Park/AHRROA Chowfest (Quezon Park)
Sabutan Fashion Show (Quezon Park)

February 15
8:00 AM - Araw ng Magsasaka at Kooperatiba (Capitol Grounds)
10:00 AM - Opening of the Trade Fair/Tourism and Investment Gallery/
CLDS Genealogy Exhibit (Capitol Grounds/Museo De Baler - Genealogy Exhibit)
1:00 PM - Aurora Cooperative Forum (SP Session Hall)
PGS-DA Technology Demonstrations (Capitol Grounds)
2:00 PM - Best of the Municipalities: Dingalan, Casiguran & Maria Aurora Presentations
(Capitol Grounds)
6:00 PM - Acoustic Nights at the Park/ AHRROA Chowfest (Quezon Park)
7:00 PM - SMB All Star Basketball Exhibition Games (tentative) (Dr. Juan C. Angara Sports
Complex)

February 16
8:00 AM - TESDA Skills Olympics (Baler Municipal Plaza)
8:00 AM - First Aurora Dog Show (Capitol Grounds)
2:00 PM - Best of the Municipalities: San Luis, Dinalungan and Dilasag Presentations (Capitol Grounds)
6:00 PM - Acoustic Nights at the Park/AHRROA Chowfest (Quezon Park)
8:00 PM - Inter-Municipality Tuklas Talino (Capitol Grounds)

February 17
8:00 AM - SEAIR Inaugural Flight (Dr. Juan C. Angara Airport - San Isidro)
10:00 AM - Launch of BFAR III Projects in Aurora Province/Inauguration of Aurora Brackishwater Marine Aquaculture Technology Center (ASCOT Zabali Campus)
1:00 PM - Awarding Ceremony of TESDA Skills Olympics
2:00 PM - Best of the Municipalities: Baler and Dipaculao Presentations (Capitol Grounds)
6:00 PM Launch of BAC-AYOS KA! (Provincial Youth Development Program) (Dr. Juan C. Angara Sports Complex)
6:00 PM - Acoustic Nights at the Park/AHRROA Chowfest (Quezon Park)
8:00 PM - Binibining Aurora (Capitol Grounds)

February 18
9:00 AM - 2nd Governor's Cup (Shootfest) (Aurora Trading Center)
11:00 AM - Karansa 2006 (Street Dance Competition) (Quezon Highway/Capitol Grounds)
6:00 PM - Acoustic Nights at the Park/AHRROA Chowfest (Quezon Park)
6:00 PM - Gabi ng Paggunita kay Doña Aurora (Quezon Park)

February 19
7:00 AM - Mass (Baler Central School)
9:00 AM - Paraqda ng Lalawigan (Baler Central School to Capitol Grounds)
10:30 AM - Anniversary Program
12:00 NN - Luncheon with the Governor (invitational)
3:00 PM - Inauguration of Integrated Rice Processing Mill Complex (tentative) (Brgy. Reserva)
6:00 PM - Acoustic Nights at the Park/AHRROA Chowfest (Quezon Park)
7:00 PM - Beach Party & Fireworks Display (Baywatch Tower Area, Sabang Beach)
8:00 PM - Governor's Ball (Capitol Grounds)

Wanted: Sponsors 2006

2006-02-07T09:27:00.000+08:00

Batangbaler is again in begging mode. As of my last check, the BB piggybank has only 99 pesos, good for only half a day of hosting. It means that if the fund chest is not refilled by March 1, BB will close shop. Usually, the fund drains around June of every year. Actually I have already paid for hosting until June but I had to upgrade to a higher hosting package since the one I paid for can't handle the traffic. End result: the dreaded "This Website Have Exceeded It's Bandwidth Limit" message every last week of the month. In order to avoid this, I quadrupled BB's hosting plan. And the money I paid for one year turned out to be good only for 8 months. that's why i'm into begging mode this early. The domain registration however, will not expire until June.

Q. Why do I need to have Batangbaler hosted when i'm using a free blogging service - blogger.com?
A. I'm just using Blogger for convinience and I first used it for emergency purposes (2004 flashflood). Then i got stuck. I'm currently into migration mode, and this February or March, BB will switch to Wordpress. I use blogger only to publish my blogs. The images (which eats up about 80% of bandwidth) still needs to be hosted. The guestbook, messageboard, chatroom, email client, and photo gallery are also hosted on the BB server - which is located somewhere in New Jersey.

Q. Why not ask the help of local politicians?
A. Ha ha ha, nice joke!

So I'm calling the usual Batangbaler benefactors and some new ones, to please help me with this problem. I need at least 15k to keep this website running for a year - most of it to be used for hosting and domain registration and about 1% for beer and sisig. If you're in Manila or somewhere with a Unionbank or Metrobank branch you can email me for instructions on how you can deposit directly to BB's hosting company so that you can be sure that your donation will be used for it's real intention. If you're from the US or other parts of the country, you have to send me your donation first and trust me that I will use only 1% of it for cervesa negra. My email address is batangbaler at gmail dot com or josephisdead at yahoo dot com.

I would like to thank all the BB sponsors who keeps on filling the piggybank. Without you Batangbaler is dead a long long time ago. And to all regular visitors of this blog - don't change your channel. Thank you very much.

Now back to regular programming.

Residents fear more floods

2006-02-06T09:43:00.000+08:00

from journal.com.ph: Residents fear more floods. "Residents of the lone district of Aurora expressed fears that the destruction brought about by natural calamities their province, particularly Dingalan, faces would be aggravated by massive illegal logging and forest denudation.

Recently, Save Aurora Movement (SAM) urged DENR Secretary Mike Defensor, on leave, to investigate the illegal logging activities which they believed triggered the massive landslide and flash floods at the height of continuous rains last week.

The flash flood left one person dead, three missing and 150 families rendered homeless."

Read the complete news.

Edelio Alday

2006-02-01T12:19:00.000+08:00

Last week I was sort of watching the comedy-news show Wazzup Wazzup on Studio 23 when a news caught my attention: "Dating Magbabalot Pumasa ng CPA Exam sa Amerika". The guy is Edelio Alday who, according to Vhong Navarro, is from Ding-galan, Aurora. Mr. Alday passed the said exam after working in Saudi Arabia. The news was short and there was no video clip or picture of Mr. Alday shown. The next day I Googled for his name and this is what i got, the list of passers for the Board of Accountacy in Oregon. Edelio Alday was first on the list since it is in alphabetical order. However, there are no other info about him.

Maybe a BB reader from Dingalan can verify this.

Update: The internets surely is a great thing. Here's some takes on Edelio Alday, from the comments section:

e.d. aragon said: "Mr. Edelio Alday is a true blue Auroran. He was 1 year ahead of me in Wesleyan University-Phils. Cabanatuan. He was Batch '96 and passed the Phil. CPA board exam on the same year. We are glad that our colleage in the profession, our Kababayan, and my schoolmate who also worked here in Saudi Arabia passed the CPA board in Oregon. Thanks for the info."

anonymous said: "More information about Mr. Edelio Alday:
1. Valedictorian - Elementary 1988
2. Valedictorian - High School 1992
3. Magna Cum Laude - College 1996
4. Passed Phil. CPA Exam - 1996
5. Bachelor of Laws - 2 years in Arellano Law School
6. Currently working in Saudi Arabia as a Senior Internal Auditor - 2001 till to date.
7. Took US CPA Exam in the State of Oregon, USA from Nov. 14-17, 2005 and passed all the 4 sections, one of only 66 passers (only Filipino) in that State out of thousands of takers worldwide. In the entire USA, approximately 100,000 takers. US CPA Exam is the most prestigious exam in the World, a dream to take for every CPA anywhere in the World. A certified US CPA can work anywhere in the planet. Mr. Edelio Alday is one of just 1% passers in USA (1% passer for one-time sitting). Mr. Alday undertook a rigorous 7-month self-review mixing with ever demanding work, most of the time he has to go abroad (USA, Europe, Middle East, Africa). He has an extraordinary character, an epitome of a true Filipino, never gives up, with superb discipline, with strong belief in the power of prayer. He is the first Auroran who made it. Governor Angara invited him to attend next year's aurora day to receive an award.
8. Mr. Alday started humbly, he is trully a balot, barbecue, day-old and pandesal vendor during his elementary and high school days to support his family and his study.
9. Mr. Alday is still a bachelor, 30 years old.
10. Born in Dingalan, Aurora, 8 July 1975."

from another anonymous poster: "Mr. Alday should serve as a model to every student. During his college days as I still remember because he was my classmate, he has just one pair of pants and one uniform for almost two (2) years. He managed to complete his studies because he was a consistent academic scholar from 1st year to 4th year, meaning he has to maintain a sort of 1.25-1.5 grades. For all his accounting subjects, he almost got a grade of 1.0 for all accounting subjects. I have seen the sacrifices and suffering of Mr. Alday. But now, he has a 3-storey building, huge grocery and hardware stores, owns several parcels of land, and the most important of all, he has sent all his nephews and niece to College, one is now a full-pledged criminoligist; one is currently reviewing for May CPA exam; one will graduate this coming March (BSAccountancy); next year one will graduate; one more will enroll this month. Mr. Alday, envisions to put up his foundation to send to school less-fortunate bright kids.

Mr. Alday is actually my bestfriend till to-date."

If you want to congratulate Mr. Alday personally, his email address is egaduralexsedlex at yahoo dot com

Lagalag

2006-01-31T16:59:00.000+08:00

from lagalag, Adrian Ayalin's blog.

Lone Fatality. A wife, a mother, and three children – all before the bag containing the body of Joel Tan, the lone fatality of three days of heavy rains in Dingalan brought by an active low pressure area.

Joel drowned Wednesday January 25 after being swept by a strong river current towards Dingalan Bay. His body was found two days later, along a cove in a nearby barangay.

At the time of the accident, Joel was carrying his nine-year old son Biboy. The kid miraculously survived after clinging onto a tree trunk.

read the complete entry

Classic Baler

2006-01-31T12:53:00.000+08:00

I'm doing a project for the Aurora Day celebration and Mrs. Mesina gave me a sackful of photos to be scanned. Here's a couple of samples.

This one looks like a procession in front of Baler Church. It was taken from the belltower of the church looking southeast. The street is the current San Luis St. and the area with a circular concrete is the front yard of the old municipio.

This one is another picture taken from the belltower of the Baler Church. The street is the current Rizal St. and the basketball court is where the present MCC basketball court is still located.

I'm guessing that these two picture were taken in the 1950's.

The project i'm doing by the way is a short documentary about Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon. If you have pictures or information that you can share, just email it to me at batangbaler at gmail dot com or post it at the comments area. Deadline is next week.

More Flood News

2006-01-31T08:37:00.000+08:00

from Manila Bulletin Online: Aurora towns swamped by floods as deep as 10 ft: "Low-lying villages in Baler, Ma. Aurora, Dingalan and three northern towns of Dinalungan, Dilasag and Casiguran were swamped with floodwaters, which buried communities under 10 feet of water."

from journal.com.ph: 3 die in Ecija, Aurora floods: "AT least three persons died while thousands of families remained encamped in different evacuations centers in Region 2, and 3 particularly in Nueva Ecija and Aurora provinces."

Aurora Flashflood Reports

2006-01-29T19:20:00.000+08:00

from inq7.net: 2 killed, 170,000 people displaced by floods in Luzon . "Flooding in the towns of Dingalan, Dipaculao, and Baler in Aurora province have subsided but all roads leading to the province remain closed to traffic due to landslides"

from The Manila Times Online: Off-season floods leave one dead. "Although floodwaters in Dingalan, Dipaculao and Baler in Aurora had subsided, roads leading to the province were blocked by debris from landslides."

from M&C News: Man drowns, thousands evacuated in flooding in Philippines. "Joel Tan, 35, drowned late Thursday after he was swept by flashfloods in Dingalan town in Aurora province, 150 kilometres north of Manila."

from balita.ph: 1 missing, thousands displaced as flashfloods hit.

from inq7.net: Aurora folk cope with life after tragedy.

Flashflood 2006

2006-01-27T11:32:00.000+08:00

The floods came early this year. Here's some snips from inq7.net. The italicized parts are my additions.

"In Aurora province, heavy rains have submerged all 24 villages in Casiguran town under two to eight feet of floodwaters, and triggered landslides that isolated the northern parts of the province, Gov. Bellaflor Castillo-Angara told the Inquirer by phone. The flood, the second to hit Casiguran in three weeks, has forced 25 families to evacuate to the town hall. Four rivers that cut through the town have overflowed."

The last flash flood that hit Casiguran was on December 27-28, 2005. Mayor Bitong of Casiguran said in a radio interview yesterday that this one is worse. He said that the cause of the frequent floods is the logging operation in the area. The Dicadi (Dinalungan-Casiguran-Dilasag) area is now isolated again and the roads are still unpassable.

"In Baler, the capital town of Aurora, floodwaters in Barangays Buhangin and Cabcab rose up to seven feet on Wednesday night, forcing residents there to flee to high grounds. The water began subsiding on Thursday."

That Cabcab is Sitio Gabgab in Buhangin. Other areas affected in Baler were Brgy. Obligacion, some parts of Calabuanan, Brgy. Pingit, Sitio Kinalapan, Bognoyas (Buhangin-near the cemetery), Puduk and Binilwag (Monrio), Pulo (Zabali), some parts of Duungan (Burgos St. near TESDA) and Reserva. AV Mijares Elementary School was also flooded. A portion of the riprap wall in Kinalapan River also gave in and part of the overflow bridge in Dicaloyungan was damaged.

"Floodwaters in Diteki and San Isidro villages in San Luis reached up to four feet."

San Isidro was heavily flooded - again. Other flooded areas in San Luis are Ditumabo and Real. A person was electrocuted in San Isidro.

"Angara said that while landslides cut off the road network to Casiguran, Dinalungan and Dilasag towns, central Aurora continued to be accessible through the Pantabangan-Canili Road via Nueva Ecija. The Bongabon (Nueva Ecija)-Baler Road was not passable."

The Pantabangan-Canili Road is "hardly" passable.

"Rampaging waters washed away the steel bridge in Dibacong in Casiguran and a temporary bridge in Villa, Ma. Aurora."

The Cabituculan area in Ma. Aurora was also flooded - for the first time.

There were also reports of flooding in Dingalan. A person was also reported missing in Dingalan.

from inq7.net: ‘Agaton’ brings rains, landslides to villages
from journal online: Floods hit 26 villages in Aurora, Ecija

*****
earlier:

Landslide warning devices installed in Aurora

Accident

2006-01-24T08:40:00.000+08:00

After many chismis and fake news about a bus falling of a cliff somewhere in the Sierra Madre, it finally happened. A D'Liner bus rolled of a road in Ditailen, Ma. Aurora, Aurora yesterday morning after hitting a tricycle. There was no fatality but most of the passengers suffered broken bones, bumps, bruises, minor and major wounds. Passengers in critical conditions were airlifted to Cabanatuan. The accident happened around 8:45 am when the driver of the D'Liner bus on the way to Maria Aurora from Cabanatuan ~~was managing a steep incline in Ditailen. The the driver~~ tried to avoid a tricycle that cut into the bus lane. The tricycle was hit and the bus ~~rolled over~~ fell off a ravine. The tricycle driver is now in critical condition.

Last January 3, there was a mistaken report that a D'Liner bus fell of the cliff along the Maria Aurora - Pantabangan road.

This is what a D'Liner bus looks like:

Update: Here's the ABS-CBN News online report.

Trade Prods C. Luzon Provinces to Trade Aurora Products

2006-01-22T17:54:00.000+08:00

from sun.star Pampanga: Trade prods C. Luzon provinces to trade Aurora products. "The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is encouraging businessmen in Central Luzon to look into the three major opportunities found from the abundant resources in Aurora province. Blesilda Lantayona, DTI 3 regional director, announced that Aurora province currently offers three major potential business projects for interested investors, companies and funding institutions geared towards turning Aurora into a producer of these consumer products. According to Lantayona, these projects are the proposed seaweed culture and production project; the expansion of the small-scale coco wine production project, both in Casiguran town; and the virgin coconut oil production project in San Luis town."

Leftovers

2006-01-20T13:48:00.000+08:00

This pictureses are lying in the leftover bin of the BB server and need to be put to use. Part 4 of the Behind the Scenes series of the Best of Central Luzon coverage. October 2, 2005, Marilao, Bulacan.

All these seats were taken.

The Aurora media delegation. All three of them.

The crowd. Third from left is Board Member Zeny Querijero.

Board Members Butch Bautista, Pedro Ong Jr. and Ben Mata.

Hmm. The store name is familiar.

The Governor (in pink) and other province officials.

The holding area.

Lookes like a port terminal.

Waiting for the bus home.

Tagaan

2006-01-19T13:24:00.000+08:00

This is a video of a Komedya de Baler being performed at SM City in Marilao, Bulacan. Link to the Google video.

In Case You Missed It

2006-01-14T19:51:00.000+08:00

Now Showing:Villa Aurora, December 30, 2004. Link to Google video.
Next Picture: Komedya ng Buhangin

I'm thinking of 5 to 10 minute video programs to be posted on Google Video. Are you willing to shell out 1$ for an almost-professional video program about Baler and Aurora? This is a survey. Comments needed.

It's Friendster Time!

2006-01-14T19:18:00.000+08:00

Make new friends:

The 689 friendster members who claim Baler, Aurora as their hometown. Hmm... i know a buch of them.

Why Most Bb. Aurora Winners are from Dingalan?

2006-01-12T12:54:00.000+08:00

from the BB messageboard:

"After a long month of critical evaluations on who shall be sent to Bb. Aurora 2006, finally a decision was made.This year we are sending Bb. Paltic 2004 winner Ms. Josephine Racho,who was supposed to compete in Bb. Dingalan 2004 which due the recent calamities was not able to be stage.At present she is a freshman student of Nueva Ecija University of Science in Technology,and an allumnus of St. Patrick Academy were she graduated as one of the top ten students.In October 2004 she competed in the Supermodel of the World-Philippines which was participated by 400 aspiring models around the country,furtunately she made it as one of the 30 semifinalist.Last October 2005 she competed in Miss COED 2005 were she landed as first runner-up.At present she is having her training under the Pageant Enthusiats Guild of the Philippines representative,the same agency that trained Precious Lara Quigaman,Miss International 2005.Josephine or Jo is 19 years old and measures 33-23-36,and stands tall at 5'8..After Bb. Aurora she is hope to compete in the regional finals of Miss Philippines-Earth in 2007."

All Apologies

2006-01-12T09:58:00.000+08:00

Apologies for not posting too much these days. I'm currently migrating the blog to wordpress and doing it real slow. The culprits are my chronic laziness and the turtle-speed of the internet connection here in the mountains.

Here's some news: The Baler-Casiguran road is now open. It became unpassable after the December 29 flood and for weeks you can only go to and from the North by boat. If you want to travel by land you need to take a bus to Dinadiawan, ride a tricycle across a river and board another bus waiting on the other side. Now buses and trucks can go all the way to Dilasag from Baler. And Baler-Bongabong road is now also passable.

PSF Surfing Circuit 2006

2006-01-12T09:48:00.000+08:00

Here's the tentative sked of this year's PSF surfing Circuit. via the surfpinoy blog.

8-11 February 10th Aurora Cup
(Baler, Aurora)

2-6 May 2nd Siargao Girls International Surfing Invitational
(Siargao Island)

2nd week of August Pagudpud
No event title yet

23-26 September 8th Siargao National Surfing Cup
(Siargao Island)

27 September - 01 October 12th Siargao International Surfing Cup
(Siargao Island)

5-8 October Eastern Samar Surfing Crown
(Guiuan, Eastern Samar)

18-21 October Catanduanes Governor's Cup
(Puraran, Catanduanes)

2nd week of November 4th Lanuza Surfing Festival
(Lanuza, Surigao del Sur)

29 November - 02 December Rimat Ti Amianan Surfing Invitational
(San Juan, La Union)

the keyword is tentative.

Daughter of murdered publisher decries slow pace of justice

2006-01-10T12:35:00.000+08:00

from inq7.net: "The daughter of slain publisher Philip Agustin has appealed for swift justice, saying the Department of Justice has still not issued a resolution in its preliminary investigation of her father's murder in Dingalan, Aurora on May 10 last year. "Ang bagal. Inabot na ng pitong buwan (It's been slow. It has taken seven months now)," Rosebelle Cruz said by phone on Friday as she decried that no one, including the alleged mastermind Mayor Jaime Ylarde, has been charged." read more.

Bulatlat

2006-01-08T15:16:00.000+08:00

from the bulatlat website: Soldiers Burned Our Buildings Last Christmas’. And so this is Christmas, and what have the soldiers done? Burn the buildings of a learning center in Baler, Aurora province, said its staff. Days before Christmas, the staff of a local learning center went home for the holidays but were forced to cut short their vacation after learning that their buildings were burned ― on the early morning of Christmas Day no less. According to them, this is clearly the handiwork of soldiers based there. In the past, the local learning center was accused of being a terrorist organization.

Related info here.

Click Generation

2006-01-07T11:42:00.000+08:00

Yet another blog experiment: The Click Generation. A bloglinks for stuff i find on the internet. Click on and spread the news

Where on Earth is Dimadimalangat?

2006-01-05T13:20:00.000+08:00

taken from aurora.ph

A visitor of the Aurora Province website noticed this a long time ago. In the description of the Provincial seal, the mountain on the left side of the inside image (near the sun with 8 rays) is described as "Dima-Dimalangat Reef in Baler - Symbolizing the Capital Town of the Province". If you're from Baler and have been to the beach at least once, you would know that Dimadimalangat Reef, or lukso-lukso should be located on the right side and jutting out of Digisit mountain and not on the ~~right~~ left as shown in the seal. That mountain should be the San Ildefonso point in Casiguran to be geographically correct. And where are the "Rice Field and Palay that stands for agricultural sector and self-sufficiency of the province in terms of rice production". All I can see is a green wall.

Welcome 2006

2006-01-04T14:09:00.000+08:00

Howdy! I went out of Baler for a while. I just returned yesterday. The only passable road to Aurora is in a really bad condition. The road is in a comma and about to die. Going home is not a trip...it's a torture. I hope that the planned construction project will push through this year. There was a buzz at the Cabanatuan central terminal yesterday that a D' Liner bus fell off a cliff in the Canili-Pantabangan road and more than 30 people were killed. I later learned that it was even reported on local radio. It turned out to be a chismis. Whatever happened to fact-checking? Last December 29, Mike Enriquez reported on Channel 7's 24 Oras that Baler is "lubog sa baha". I wonder if they're source is the same person who reported the bus accident.

Casiguran is still not accessible by land. The only way there is via sea. A "pump boat" was reported missing the other day but it was later found by Navy helicopters. All passengers were safe (from Channel 7).

Here's the inq7.net's news about the recent flooding in Casiguran.

Wassup with BB this year?

I'm currently rewiewing all of last year's BB posts. I'm planning to come up with a Batangbaler's Best of 2005. I'm also in the process of migrating BB to Wordpress and hosting the posts in it's own server instead of piggybacking on blogspot. Target date is before 2010 :-).

I will also revive the Batangbaler Videos. Hopefully BB can come up with original videos or short clips to be hosted on Google Videos. I tried posting a sample video last week and it's now live. Check out a low-fi 4-minute vid of Villa Aurora a month after the 2004 disaster.

Thanks

Thanks to Banot and Donna Costa and to Ate Gay Avellano for my Christmas gifts/pasalubong.

Congrats!

On the wedding of BB regular Connie Bayudan last December 27 and for the upcoming wedding of Enod Buen. Spread the Balerian genes!

Casiguran Flash Flood

2005-12-29T14:08:00.000+08:00

Note: the two local radio stations in Baler, DZRH-FM and DZJO-FM, are reporting the following information:

The non-stop rains this week caused a major flash flood in Casiguran, Aurora. The entire Poblacion and most low-lying barangays are now under water with some areas under 5 to 10 feet of water. Some barangays in Dilasag and Dinalungan are also affected. Most rivers in the area have overflowed their banks. About 100 to 200 families are now in the different evacuation areas in Casiguran particularly Ermita Church, MCC building and the municipal hall. The road to Dicadi is unpassable and the area is currently isolated.
There are also reports of minor floodings in Maria Aurora, San Luis (San Isidro area) , Baler (Pingit, Kinalapan and Sitio Pulo in Zabali) and Dingalan.
Baler-Bongabong road is unpassable because of high water levels in Villa river. Canili-Pantabangan road is currently unpassable on account of a landslide near Brgy. Wenceslao in Ma. Aurora. The Maria Aurora mayor and the DPWH chief already dispatched heavy-equipment vehicles to clear the slide.
Although the Aguang and Kinalapan rivers have overflowed, Baler experienced only minor floods in some area on account of recent flood control projects of the government and the opening of the Sabangan area so that waters going through the Pudok area can flow directly to the sea. (Thanks also to the rain for taking a break last night.)
The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council and the different local government agencies are now on heightened alert and currently doing what they can to help the affected Aurorans.

Please note the date and time of this post. Some developments might have happened while this is being posted.

Reporters of DZRH Baler are constantly updating their mother station. DZRH can be heard online. Just go to http://eradioportal.com and click on the DZRH link. You should have Windows Media Player to stream the broadcast.

Elevated Alert

2005-12-28T14:22:00.000+08:00

Baler is now on elevated status with regards to floodings. Two days of non-stop rains caused the swelling of the Kinalapan ang Aguang rivers. Local radio stations are reporting minor floodings in Pingit, Sitio Pulo in Zabali and othet parts of the town. Local government disaster agencies are now in action and advising residents in low lying areas to evacuate while it is still daytime and the waters are still low. Road to Casiguran and other northern towns are closed and passengers are stranded at the Baler Sports Complex. There's an unverified news that a passenger jeepney on the way to Casiguran was covered with landslide. No news yet if the Baler-Bongabong and Canili-Pantabangan roads are still passable. There's still electricity and the rain is still going on.

NPA, AFP Trade Accusations in Baler Fire

2005-12-28T14:18:00.000+08:00

from ABS-CBN Interactive: NPA, AFP trade accusations in Baler fire. "Fire gutted the headquarters of a nongovernment organization in Barangay Buhangin in Baler, Aurora, at 4 a.m. on December 25, the military reported on Tuesday. The fire destroyed the headquarters of the Bahay Talakayan para sa Rekonstruksyon at Ikauunlad ng Sambayanan, or Bataris. Damage was estimated at P1 million. Lt. Col. Joselito Kakilala, battalion commander of the 48th Infantry Division, reported that a group of suspected New People’s Army guerillas allegedly planned the fire although some quarters blame the military for the blaze. read more.

Aurora Travel Journal - In German

2005-12-27T10:47:00.000+08:00

This looks like a great read - if you know German. It's an account of a travel or expedition in Dinalungan and Baler. the pictures are great, just click on them to open the bigger versions.

If you really want to read it, these tranlation websites might be useful: babelfish (just copy the url or web address of the site and choose German to English translation. It translated the entire page and the resulting English version is understandable but hard to read.). Google translate (do the same step as babelfish. I think this tool translates better but it only translated the first two paragraphs of the page. Check out the Google english version of the website.)

Aurora Catholic Group's Dorm Burned

2005-12-27T10:31:00.000+08:00

from inq7.net: Aurora Catholic Group's Dorm Burned. "Three men believed to be government soldiers burned the women's dormitory of a Catholic church's training institute in Baler town, Aurora province on Christmas Day, reports received by the Inquirer said. Alfonso van Zijl, executive director of the Bataris (Bahay Talakayan para sa Rekonstruksyon at Ikauunlad ng Sambayanan) based in Barangay Buhangin, said the fire that broke out at about 4 a.m. destroyed the institute's wooden sleeping quarters and burned two motorcycles. He estimated the losses at almost P1 million." read more.

Dingalan Housing Program Launched

2005-12-27T10:21:00.000+08:00

from Manila Times Internet Edition: Dingalan housing program launched. "The groundbreaking for the immediate construction of 100 housing units in typhoon-ravaged Dingalan, Aurora, began Saturday through the initiative of Sen. Edgardo Angara. An initial 900 housing units will be built in Dingalan for the resettlement of those whose homes were destroyed by the typhoon. Most of the destroyed houses were built near rivers." read more

NPA's Attack Globe Cellsite in Dinalungan

2005-12-23T08:54:00.000+08:00

from the Mindanao Daily Mirror: NPAs attack Globe cell site anew. Suspected communist guerillas attacked yet another Globe telecommunications tower in the province of Aurora Monday, the 22nd on the Ayala-owned company since July. Police reports said the attack occurred 12:05 a.m. when about 20 New People’s Army strafed the Globe cell site compound in Poblacion Zone 1 village in Dinalungan town. read more.

Surf Report

2005-12-22T10:52:00.000+08:00

Rimat Ti Aminian Surfing Invitational at La Union wrapped-up last Dec. 17 and 4 BalerBoys are in the winner's list, Argie Hugo (2nd Runner-up Open Division), Jeff Dela Torre (2nd Runner-up Junior Division), Allan Derecho (3rd Runner-up Junior Division) and Allen De Vera (Champion, Grommet Division - the kids division). For a complete list of the winners, visit surfpinoy.

The La Union surfing competition was also the last leg of the inaugural Phillipine Surfing Circuit. From surfpinoy: " The circuit was created to determine the Top 12 Filipino Surfers for the year. Each time a surfer (from the open division) reaches the finals he will a get points depending on how he placed for a certain leg. These points are then tallied at the end of the circuit to determine which 12 waveriders make it to the prestigious list." Three Balerboys made it to the Top 12: Argie Hugo (#3), Edmund Mendoza (#6) and Joel Faraon (#7). Click here to see the complete list

Kage has pixes of the event.

Congratulations to all the winners! See you next year in Baler!

*****

<

I have closeup shots of these surfer dudes in my busted PC at home. I'll post them as soon as i can get the junk to run again. In the meantime, heres something for reference: Argie Hugo is 4th from left, Edmund Mendoza is 3rd and Joel Faraon is 6th. Badgirl must be jumping for joy.

I want! I Want!

2005-12-22T10:15:00.000+08:00

The Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) Giga Pack is more than a portable version of Playstation. It's a portable entertainment center with MP3 and MP4 Download and play capabilities. This nearly pocketable portable has a built-in, bright, high-resolution 4.3 inch (diagonal) Color TFT LCD widescreen (for 16:9 perspective), built-in Stereo speakers, and amazing connectivity. Etc..etc..etc..

The Xbox 360 sets a new pace for digital entertainment. More than just a cutting-edge game system, Xbox 360 also integrates high-definition video, DVD movie playback, digital music, photos, and online connectivity into one sleek, small tower.

Wanted: Anesthesiologist in Aurora

2005-12-21T14:24:00.000+08:00

from inq7.net: Wanted: Anesthesiologist in Aurora. "Despite a regular search, this province has had no anesthesiologist in the last 10 years, limiting the access of pregnant women and other patients to life-saving surgical operations.

“The item has always been opened but there has always been no takers,” Dr. Norma Palmero, provincial health officer, told the Inquirer.

An anesthesiologist specializes in administering anesthesia, a drug that makes a patient numb to pain during surgery. An anesthetist used to do that work here until the Department of Health made it a policy to assign that task to an anesthesiologist, she said." read more.

Law and Order

2005-12-18T16:17:00.000+08:00

Some Aurora related legal cases:

People vs Silva: "That on September 3, 1996 at around 10:00 o’clock in the evening, purposely sought to better accomplish their criminal design, at Sitio Diaboyo, Barangay Ditumabo, San Luis, Aurora, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said accused, conspiring and confederating together and helping one another, with intent to kill and with treachery and evident premeditation and use of superior strength, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously attack, assault and use personal violence upon the person of one Manuel Ceriales after abducting him and his brother Edmund Ceriales and while his feet were both tied with a rope and his hands tied at his back, by stabbing and beheading him causing his instantaneous death; that the accused also commenced the commission of the crime of murder upon the person of Edmund Ceriales directly by overt acts by also tying his two feet and his hands at his back with intent to kill, but the said accused did not perform all the acts of execution which should have produced the crime of Murder as a consequence, by reason of causes other than their own spontaneous desistance, that is, said Edmund Ceriales was able to escape while the accused were about to kill his brother Manuel Ceriales." read more.

G.R. No. 160341: "On April 16, 1997, petitioner Exequiel Senoja, Fidel Senoja, Jose Calica, and Miguel Lumasac were drinking gin in the hut of Crisanto Reguyal in Barangay Zarah, San Luis, Aurora. An angry Leon Lumasac suddenly arrived at the said place, holding a bolo in his right hand and looking for his brother Miguel. Petitioner and Jose tried to pacify Leon. But when petitioner approached Leon, the latter tried to hack him so he embraced Leon and Jose took Leon’s bolo." read more.

Ubongen vs Ubongen: "According to the complainant, the respondent was legally married to Dionisio F. Dela Cruz. She thereafter contracted a subsequent marriage with one Benjamin N. Ubongen on August 18, 1993 knowing that the latter was married to Ruth Notada Ubongen with seven children. The complainant added that the entire community where she resides was aware that she lived with Dionisio F. Dela Cruz in a single abode prior to the celebration of her second marriage. The complainant prayed that the respondent be preventively suspended and thereafter dismissed from the service “with prejudice,” and attached the respective marriage contracts alluded to." read more.

datamined from www.supremecourt.gov.ph

Dingalan

2005-12-18T16:06:00.000+08:00

from Adrian Ayalin's Lagalag blog: "It’s been a year now since the first of the three strong typhoons hit the country. And it is a great relief for me to find out that the town of Dingalan in Aurora Province is slowly getting back to its feet. Just a few weeks ago, my team went back to Dingalan to see how the town has recovered from its worst nightmares named Violeta, Winnie and Yoyong. (Actually, typhoon Yoyong did not bring as much rain but it was a supertyphoon, and the winds were just as scary.) read more.

Fabricated Resolution Basis for Lifting Logging Ban

2005-12-18T15:53:00.000+08:00

from Manila Times Internet Edition: Fabricated resolution basis
for lifting of logging ban:

CASIGURAN, Aurora: A municipal councilor has alleged that a fabricated resolution was used to justify the lifting of the logging ban in this town.

In a briefing in Quezon City, Councilor Joel Torre denied that the council passed and approved Resolution 021-2005 requesting President Arroyo to lift the logging ban in Casiguran and Aurora.

“The minutes of the meeting of March 21, 2005, regular session shows there was no such approved resolution. The lifting of the logging ban was not also included in our agenda so how come there was such a resolution?” he asked.

Torre said the document was fabricated to justify the lifting of the moratorium by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, allowing the Industries Development Corp. to continue its logging operation in August 2005.

Mayor Reynaldo Bitong of Casiguran said he only learned about the “fake” resolution from the energy department’s evaluation team that assessed the logging activities of IDC to determine whether its logging permit would be reinstated.

In December last year, President Arroyo declared a total logging ban nationwide after a series of landslides and flash floods hit Aurora, Quezon and parts of Nueva Ecija, killing 1,600 people and displacing more than 53,000 families.

Bitong noted that the corporation started its operation in August 2005 but applied for a mayor’s permit only in September.

He refused to issue a permit since the company allegedly failed to submit a multipartite agreement with the local government and nongovernment organizations endorsing its logging operation. The firm also reportedly failed to provide the mayor a rehabilitation plan and a budget for its implementation.

Bitong faces a civil case after the firm filed a petition for mandamus with application for a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction. Judge Corazon Soluren of Branch 96 of the Baler Regional Trial Court issued a 20-day TRO dated December 2, preventing him from stopping logging operations in Casiguran.

Of the 57,069-hectare logging area, 70 percent is in Casiguran, while the remaining hectares are in the towns of Dinalungan and Dilasag in Aurora.

Environment Secretary Michael Defensor said the IDC was allowed to operate because of its “satisfactory” performance. He claimed his approval had the consent of NGOs, like Tanggol Kalikasan, but the group denied the secretary’s claims.

The Manila Times tried to contact Defensor for his comment on the allegedly fake resolution but he was available. -- Ronnie E. Calumpita

***

from NORDIS weekly: Env’t group backs Casiguran mayor decision not to grant permit to logging firm. Environmental groups in Aurora province backed Casiguran town Mayor Reynaldo Bitong, who was issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) by Regional Trial Court Branch 96 Judge Corazon Soluren, in the Petition for Mandamus by the logging company Industries Development Corporation (IDC). read more.

Attention Amazon Users

2005-12-16T10:07:00.000+08:00

The BB website stats reveals that more than 40% of its visitors are from North America. If you're one those visitors, this message is for you. If you're into online shopping and uses amazon.com, you can help Batangbaler by using the newly installed Amazon searcbox on the right sidebar instead of going directly to the site. By using the searchbox, a small percentage of the price of the item you buy on Amazon will go to Batangbaler (ranges from 4% to 7% of the gross price). This way you can help BB earn some income for use on the website expenses and to buy beer and pulutan for the webmaster (that's me). I also included some recommended products on the lower part of the sidebar. Most of them are Baler and Philippine related. I will change them occasionally and you can purchase one if you're interested. I will also put recommended products directly on my posts. Like this:

I can't believe that Weng-Wengs's movie is available on Amazon. Weng-Weng was my Favorite when I was in elementary, and this movie predates Mini-me and Austin Powers by a good two decades. Here's a take from my new favorite blog: "For your Height Only is classic camp: so bad, it’s good. Dr. Van Curler, the inventor of the N-Bomb, is kidnapped by syndicate ringleader Mr. Giant. Agent double O (Weng Weng) is assigned to save the scientist, and the world, from doom. He is aided by the voluptuous Irma Alegre, who gets killed in the cross fire. There are lots of derivative gadgets and gizmos copied from James Bond flicks but this is more ingenious. They attach an empty can of mini-fire extinguisher to Weng Weng’s body as a personal propeller rocket, and turn a cheap black Bumbay umbrella into a parachute. If Bruce Lee is famous for his flying kick, Weng Weng has his four foot-kick that directly targets the opponent’s groin."

I'm putting this DVD on my wishlist.

Ay syempre, wag kalilimutang pindutin at bisitahin ang mga patalastas sa itaas at ibaba ng batangbaler. Makakatulong din kayo sa fundraising ni kidlat (ako) pag ginawa ninyo ito. (Tinagalog ko dahil bawal mag promote na kagaya nito he he he).

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat!

News Alert

2005-12-16T10:04:00.000+08:00

from abs-cbn news: Timber company threatens 5 protected areas. "At least five protected areas within a timberland face destruction after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources lifted the suspension of logging in three towns in Aurora. Fr. Jose Talaban of Quezon Prelature, whose religious jurisdiction covers Aurora, said that under the law, protected areas like watershed, waterfalls and landscape must be spared from logging and other kinds of development activities. The DENR violated the law, he said." read more.

from Tempo Online: Man arrested after killing businesswoman. "CABANATUAN CITY – A man was arrested by police shortly after he shot to death a businesswoman in full view of the public here on Wednesday afternoon. Police Superintendent Jesus Gordon Descanzo, city police chief, said the suspect, Pepito Gonzales, of Barangay Buhangin, Baler, Aurora, was placed behind bars for the fatal shooting of Carmen Concepcion Macatiag, 52, of Mossessgeld Street, Magsaysay Norte, Cabanatuan City." read more.

Guess Where?

2005-12-15T12:19:00.000+08:00

Do you know where in Baler is this place?

Roads

2005-12-15T11:52:00.000+08:00

Villa Aurora, December 8, 2005. A car being towed by a DPWH bulldozer across the river. The next day the river was ten times bigger.

The DPWH announced that the Baler-Bongabong road will be closed from December 15 to 22. Labi bridge will be repaired. So if you're planning to go home to Baler on those dates, the only option is the Canili-Pantabangan road.

The annual Provincial Athletic Meet (aka Division Meet) started yesterday here in Baler without the delegates from Casiguran, Dinalungan and Dilasag. They were stranded because the one week non-stop rains flooded most of the rivers in the Dicadi area and caused some landslides along the Baler-Casiguran road. The delegates arrived only yesterday afternoon.

****

This news is sad, and ironically...funny:

"For resident 68-year-old Norma Vilar, a pensioner for at least five years now, it has been a long wait for her pension fund to be released to her automated teller machine account. Last August, her pension money stopped. Upon verification at the regional branch here, she said she was told she has to file an affidavit or certification “that she is still alive."

North Flood

2005-12-13T12:32:00.000+08:00

from inq7.net: Floods, landslides isolate 3 Aurora towns . Strong monsoon rains over Aurora province since Monday have triggered landslides and caused rivers to overflow, isolating three northern towns here, reports from local officials said. read more.

Old news: 600-km ecotourism trail under way in the Sierra Madre. "The Sierra Madre Mountains, the country's longest mountain range and one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world, is being primed to become the top ecohistorical tourism destination in the Philippines."

"One such place is the Baler-Palanan trail whose coastline is noted for waves ideal for surfing."

****

Mmm... i wonder if the logging concessions along Sierra Madre will be included in the package.

New Civil Engineers

2005-12-07T10:28:00.000+08:00

Congratulations to the 6 new civil engineers from ASCOT, especially Engr. Renee Alcantara who ranked 18 with 90.7 grade and surfer boy Engr. Rommel "Okoy" Rojo.

SEA Games Gold Medalist From Aurora?

2005-12-07T10:05:00.000+08:00

I received an unverified message that Glen Llamador, who represented the country in the men's team arnis competition in the recently concluded SEA Games, is from Dipaculao, Aurora. Their 3-member team won a gold medal. Anyone who can verify this?

Here's the link to the news about the arnis team.

Update: Confirmed. Glen Llamador is from Dipaculao.

La Union Surfing

2005-12-07T09:54:00.000+08:00

If you're into surfing action, the last leg of the 2005 Philippines Surfing Circuit will be on December 13-17 at San Juan, LaUnion. This is where the Top 12 surfers of the year will be announced. We're expecting 4 or 5 Balerboys to be on the list.

for more info visit surfpinoy.

New Bridge In Town

2005-12-05T17:04:00.000+08:00

This new bridge is called Duungan Bridge 2 and is located at Brgy. Buhangin, just in front of A.V. Mijares Elementary School. It goes to the beach just after the PNP headquarters. It was inaugurated last August.

Relatively Speaking

2005-12-04T13:38:00.000+08:00

I received this email from Mr. Pablo Pantalunan of Maryland USA:

Hello, I came across your website and I found it very interesting, beautiful places and pictures about baler. I came to realized that my ancestors from my father side was from Baler. My father’s name is Elias Pantalunan, unfortunately he passed away in the late 60’s. We are living in Roxas, Isabela prior to his death. According to my mother, my grandparent’s name are Nemecio Pantalunan and Josefa Aquino Pantalunan. My father has sibling’s named Raquel, Miriam, Nemecio Jr. and Florida. After college in 1988 I migrated to the United States to join my mother’s side of the family. I am happily married and blessed with three healthy sons. Presently, I am working in pharmaceuticals for the last thirteen years. Kung sakaling nakikilala mo ang mga taong nabanggit ko, ay kung maaari lamang ay pakisabi sa kanila na gusto ko silang makilala. Maraming salamat at maligayang pasko at manigong bagong taon sa inyong lahat.

Pablo P. Pantalunan
pablopantalunan@yahoo.com

Mr. Pantalunan's full contact info is available on request. Just email me at batangbaler at gmail dot com
Link to Mr. Pantalunan's post at Barangay BB.

Paleklek in the USA

2005-12-03T19:16:00.000+08:00

Here are more photos from the recent Nini Quezon visit to Poppo Olag.

And here's an interesting read: Interview With Zenaida "Nini" Quezon Avanzeña.

When Was The Last Time You Checked For Lice?

2005-12-02T12:37:00.000+08:00

Wallpaper Donation

2005-12-02T12:31:00.000+08:00

This wonderful Batang Aurora wallpaper was emailed to me by Janette of Dipaculao. She is in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Happy Anniversary!

2005-11-30T13:55:00.000+08:00

Happy Anniversary! (warning: graphic image)

Aurora Association USA

2005-11-29T16:12:00.000+08:00

The Aurora Association USA, Inc. Scholars held a welcome and thanksgiving party for association members who were in Baler for a vacation. The program was held at the Angara Hall of Baler Central School on Sunday, November 20, 2005. Honorees present were Mr. & Mrs. Amador del Prado (from New York), Mr. & Mrs. Ezer Gonzales (from New york), and Dr. & Mrs. Ruben Guinto (fr. California). the program was coordinated by Mrs. Ilovita Mesina, the association coordinator in Baler.

Aurora Association USA, Inc. College scholarship Program started in 1995-1996 under the chairmaship of Mr. Ador del Prado, the husband of Corazon Loarca Buenconsejo, a native of Baler. It used to be a high school financial assistance but when Mrs. Ilovita Mesina became the coordinator, she recommended that it be changed into a college scholarship since there are free high schools all over Aurora. The association sponsors the college education of deserving and potential students who cannot afford to go to college due to financial reasons. Candidates are chosen from the eight municipalities of Aurora and will have to enroll only in the colleges in Baler for closer monitoring and supervision of the awardees. So far 26 high school graduates have been accomodated, 12 have graduated, 12 are on going and 2 were dropped due to marriage and failure to meet the graduate requirement. the association likewise gave high school Valedictorian awards of $100 each and to the Valedictorian of Baler Central School in honor of Mrs. Levy Gonzales Sindac, the association founder.

The organization limits the sponsorship of scholars to three students per year due to limited funds. If you are from Aurora and permanently living in the USA and wants to know more about this scholarship program, send an email to batangbaler at gmail dot com and I will forward their contact information.

Click here for more pictures from the program.

Welcome Home!

2005-11-28T10:56:00.000+08:00

Baler is now waiting for the arrival of Mr. & Mrs. Arnold and Donna Costa and Ms. Gay Avellano. They will be coming home for Christmas from UK. This is a reminder from Ymay and BB so that they will not forget the pasalubong.

BB also welcomes back Ms. Vangie Daton-Sanchez who will be coming home this December after a long tour-of-duty in Iraq. Can't wait for "My friend went to Iraq and all I got was this lousy T-Shirt" t-shirt.

Photo Gallery

2005-11-26T15:27:00.000+08:00

The new Batangbaler Photo Gallery is now live. Check out the first gallery of pictures featuring the recent visit of Spanish ~~Prime~~ Defense Minister Jose Bono.

New Old Blog

2005-11-25T16:24:00.000+08:00

Old Baler is an online gallery of vintage Baleriana.

Our Map

2005-11-25T14:10:00.000+08:00

I created a Fraffr map for Batangbaler. Visit the page and add yourself to the map. I'm curious where the 400+ daily visitors of Batangbaler are coming from. It's not just a map pointer, it's also a messageboard thingy.

Spanish Defense Minister Visits Baler

2005-11-25T12:52:00.000+08:00

Spanish Defense Minister Jose Bono visited Baler, Aurora last Tuesday, November 22, 2005. He was with more than 20 Spanish delegates including Senators, Congressmen and other Spanish Government Officials. They arrived before 11 am and there was a welcome program in front of the Museo De Baler. After the program a Thanksgiving Mass was held at the Baler Church then the delegates went to Baler Central School for lunch. A cultural show was presented during lunch.

I'll post more pictures and give more details as soon as i finished uploading them. I need wifi!

Pasirit News

2005-11-24T12:21:00.000+08:00

Here's some surfing competition results:

3rd Lanuza Surfing Cup, the fifth leg of the Philippine Surfing Championship Circuit 2005. The event was held on November 14-20. Lanuza in Surigao Del Sur. The Balerboys dominated the event.

Open Division
Champion- Argie "Bad Boy" Hugo (Baler)
1st Runnerup- Luke Landrigan (La Unioin)
2nd Runnerup- Joel Faraon (Baler)
3rd Runnerup- Sandito Alciso (Siargao)

Junior Division
Champion- Jeff dela Torre (Baler)
1st Runnerup- Joe Henry Tena (Baler)
2nd Runnerup- Zaldy Coldura (Siargao)

Eastern Samar Surfing Crown, Guian, Eastern Samar. October 6 - 9, 2005. the 3rd leg of the 2005 Philippine Surfing Championship Circuit 2005.

Open Division
Champion - Dionisio “Dodo” Espejon (Siargao)
1st Runner up - Joel Faraon (Baler)
2nd Runner up - Argie Hugo (Baler)
3rd Runner up - Edmund Mendoza (Baler)

Junior Division
Champion - Zaldy Coldura (Siargao)
1st Runner up - Allan Derecho (Baler)
2nd Runner up - Jason Osarez (Lanuza)
3rd Runner up - Myrell Santos (Boronggan)

Info provided by Olin Duaso, who is currently enjoying the beach of Pagudpud.
Also check out this blog for the latest surfing update.

******

BB congratulates Rommel "Okoy" Rojo for passing the Civil Engineering board exam this month.

Two Sunsets

2005-11-21T09:42:00.000+08:00

Go Emily!

2005-11-21T09:05:00.000+08:00

I receive a sort of email alert every time Baler is mentioned on the net. Most of the time i get junk news and info about the hay baler, a machine used on farming. Once in a while I get jewels, like this: www.emilyfrancisco.com. Check out what the buzz is all about.

Emily grew up in Baler and now lives in California. I met her once at Bay's Inn years ago. She once graced the pages of this website, posing with Chester of Linkin Park. Hanepti! Iba talaga ang batang Baler!

Eventology

2005-11-18T10:41:00.000+08:00

Spanish Defense Minister to Visit Philippines. "Spanish Defense Minister Jose Bono will pay a four-day official visit to the Philippines from Nov. 19.This will be the first ever visit to the Philippines by a defense minister of Spain, a former colonial power which ruled the Philippines for 300 years until the end of 19th century." Minister Jose Bono will also go to Baler on ~~Sunday Nov. 20~~ Tuesday November 22to visit the Baler Church and the Baler Museum. The Provincial Government of Aurora is also preparing a cultural show that will be held at the Baler Central School.

There will also be a Workshop on Choreography at AMCO Beach Resort on November 19 to 21 to be conducted by Enrico Labayen, "multi-award winning choreographer from the USA and one of the most exciting and innovative dance artists in the world". Here's a background article about Enrico Labayen. And here's the Google returns on his name. If I could dance, i'll join this workshop.

If you're in Manila check out the opening of the 20th Asian International Art Exhibition on November 21 at the Ayala Museum. Jeho Bitancor's works will be part of the exhibit that will run until March 2006.

The crew of ABS-CBN's Magandang Gabi Bayan were here in Baler to shoot a feature about Surfing in Baler. Check out your tubes this Saturday or next week.

And after posting this i'll be off to ASCOT's Training Center to check out the workshop on the NSTP program, the government's replacement to the ROTC. The workshop is titled Teacher's Training for Implementing NSTP: Investing In The Future with participants from selected government college teachers throughout Luzon

Department of Self-Promotion

2005-11-17T13:12:00.000+08:00

I received an email from Ken Ilio one of the few Philippine internet pioneers and webmaster of Tanikalang Ginto, the Philippines' most comprehensive and largest human-edited web directory. Online since 1994, the website compiles a directory of all interesting Pinoy-flavored websites on the Internet. He also chooses monthly selection of the best Pinoy websites, The Best of Cyber Pinoys.

He informed me that the one-week old Balerspeak, the wiki I created to be the online dictionary of Baler's unique Tagalog words was one of the Best of Cyber Pinoy sites for November 2005. No prize for this recognition, just bragging rights and an opportunity to "lift my own chair", so to speak.

Three years ago, when Batangbaler was barely four months old, it was also chosen as one of the Best of Cyber Pinoys for March 2002.

Mr. Ilio also maintains My Islands Philippines, a gallery of Philippines pictures. Check out Baler and Aurora pictures on the website soon.