Sunday, March 13, 2005

Akaw Invasion, Finally!



Remember this? Last November 19, 2004, four days before the first 2004 flash flood hit the Province, Batangbaler staged a successful gig in Manila, at Mayric's no less, a place they say, where all great local bands are born. It was a gig come true for some of the Baler flavored bands we invited to play. Surely seeing their band's name alongside other greats like Kamikazee, The Youth and Chicosci on the skedboard must be uephoric for these dudes whose previous exposures were mostly through local battle of the bands and barangay fiestas. It also turned out to be the most fun and successful gig set up by BB. The place was brimming with Aurorans. Mayrics was so packed most of us had to stand up and some unlucky peeps had to watch from the sidewalk. The Mayric's management was so happy that we got a ticket to stage another one anytime we want. We also managed to recover the production cost of the gig and were able to use the remaining bucks for the BB Relief Operation. So it turned out as a fund raising for a yet to happen disaster. I wasn't able to take pictures of the event since i chose to take the video instead. The designated BB photographer that night was Tikbalang and we never saw each other again until last month. That's why the late posting.

Thanks to all the bands who performed: Pentavia, Orgasm Addicts, Ginger, Enslave and Kwak Kwak. Bhonog Fever was a no show and they were replaced by Ina Ni Basilio. Big thanks also to those who helped with the production: Raygan Palispis (John Arcillas cousin) for arranging the venue and the Manila-based bands, Else for managing the coffers and the gate, Mets for the art direction, Joan Querijero the executive producer, and Vangie Daton for helping with some production expenses - posters, tarps, etc. And big thanks to all who watched especially those who came all the way from Baler. Sa uulitin. So here's the much awaited pictures of the gig:



The place in front of UST at España. Brings back college nostalgia. We live near the place back in college and we regularly go to the place armed with 50 bucks in our pocket for a bottle of beer and an all night ticket to see Color It Red, The Youth, Eraserheard, Wuds... almost all great bands of the 90's.



Ina Ni Basilio replacing Bhonog Fever who failed to play on accounts of their guitarist who can't go to Manila. This band is all-Baler. This is one of the three bands where Boyet a.k.a Rambo plays the drums.



Outside, Else managing the gate with the help of Ginger's Alvin. Great poster.



The Akaws really invaded the place.



Enslave, band no. 2 for drummer Boyet.



The kids are alright!



The great drum-a-thon!



More space please.



Still rocking. These kids probably have Pantera shrines in their houses.



Standing room only.



Getting some air.



Pentavia! This is how the girls do it in Cocohut.



Total mayhem.



View from the stage.



Kwak Kwak.



More kwaks.



Orgasm Addicts. Their frontman is in love with Kurt Cobain.



Nice show guys!



More beer please.



Last band: Ginger.



Robert on skins.



From hardcore to reggae. Nice tonedown.



Okoystik!



This is Mako's point of view after a caseful of beer.



The great photo op!

All pictures by Tikbalang.

Friday, March 11, 2005

Aurora Skateboarding Cup '05

This sk8 comp happened on February 16 at the municipal plaza. Marten Persiel, a German volunteer working in an ASCOT project found a ragtag gang of local skaters at the plaza about a year ago and took them as his brood, being a skater himself. He started by making a donating a ramp for the kids, then more ramps, then more. Then the thing grew big and became a nightly thing to watch in front of the plaza. Last Baler fiesta, with help from some friends they were able to stage a competition participated in by Baler locals and some skater bois from Baguio and Manila. This time, with support from the Aurora Day people and the Aurora Surfing Cup organizers, a full-pledged skating competition was staged. It's called the Aurora Skateboarding Cup 2005 and was planned to be a yearly event. Local skaters (with improved skills) as well as visitors joind the comp that was well attended and watched. Here are some pix. Enjoy!

I don't know most of these kids and the light position prevented me from taking pictures of them fronting the cam. I also don't have a list of the winners just a hint that a Manila guy won the open competition.



The course.



A local kid clearing the pipe.



Surfer champ Joel Faraon surfing on concrete.






Marten showing them how it is done.



One more time







Groupies



Marten and Julia at the judges seat



Waiting for their turn



Cabagnot pride

















Skater Girl

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Atty. Olipas



March 2, was a historic day, at least for Atty. Isagani Olipas, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary. That's the last SP session he attended as a secretary. Atty. Olipas retired on friday March 5 after 35 years in service. Atty. Isagani Olipas, from Maria Aurora, served every Aurora governor from Luis Etcubañez to Bellaflor Angara-Castillo.

In the picture is Atty. Olipas and his wife Mrs. Minda Garcia Olipas, flanked by Gov. Castillo and Vice. Gov. Tangson during his retirement party.

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Aurora Day: More Pictures

More pictures of Aurora Day 05. Enjoy.



The renovated stage before the start of everything.



Prepped for the ribbon-cutting of the agro-industrial trade fair. Lots of locally produced products.



The ASCOT booth with some Ascoteers. White sand included.



Fruits and vegetables galore.



These nice hand-painted fans were just a few of many Aurora customized stuff at the trade fair.



Nothing but multicolored sabutan hats in this booth.



The wonderfully packaged Casiguran virgin coconut wine. It's a lambanog actually and they even offered free shots with pulutan to prove its potency.



This forest inspired booth won the best booth award. I think the "talyasi" waterfalls clinched it.



More hats.



A "Beer na Beer" inspired Baler shirt.



The first night show of the week, a dancing and singing contest billed "Tuklas Talino"



The Pilita Corrales pose.



The Baler dancers dressed as fishermen.



The CAT competition. That was Mr. Lauro Bihasa on stage.



The opening of the TESDA Skills Olympics at the Baler Municipal Plaza.



The "tinker the engine" contest.



A historical tour was inaugurated on the 15th. It featured a historical foot trail that started here at the church.



The Drum and Lyre competition at the capitol. This competitin dates as far back as I can remember. But back then it was called a drum and bugle competition. I guess the bugle lost its touch.



The Capitol balcony. No extra charge.



This is the redesigned Capitol lagoon at one corner of the Capitol compound. It boast the province's first fountain, excluding that peeing kid statue at the hospital.