THE more than seven-hour ride across the bustling metropolitan cities of Metro Manila toward the surfing capital of the archipelago will give you so many things to worry about: an aching back, knees that feel like trembling, and yes, both eyes drooling after what it seems like a never ending joy ride.
As you come close, a myriad of rolling green mountains will greet you and soon enough as you touch base, the waves from the mighty Pacific Ocean will howl like wolves of the seas, a fitting welcome that will surely wash off all your pains.
As you step off the van, or for many tourists, a bus with "lazy" chairs, you get pumped up and excited, as if the air you're taking in is made of adrenaline, you turn around like a wondering child.
As for me, I heard my five-year-old self exclaiming with so much vigor and delight, "Hush, Welcome to Baler!" Juxtaposing to where I quipped is a panorama of the place clad in deep purple clouds during nighttime, a view that is worth a thousand miles road trip.
We set foot in the post card perfect Sabang Beach, home to a long stretch of gray sand and the iconic Baler waves that dances all day round. The air was freezing cold but the welcoming team from the Provincial Tourism Office of Aurora was the other way. I almost forgot I am no tourist or a wanderlust feeding himself the best of the beach, the sand, and the fresh air of the jewel island.
For others, it's "workcation," a conjoined, somewhat colloquial term, enforcing work and pleasure. As for me, I keep it simple: My work is not work at all as it is fueled with so much passion, and so, calling the trip as a well deserved vacation is an apt description, nonetheless.
However, the howling waves could not pull me off the inn, Playa Azul, a new place that serves so much function, just yet. I am geared to host the biggest beauty pageant in the province, dubbed as Binibining Aurora 2017.
Equally tempting as the water are colorful surfboards attracting tourists to "answer the calling waves" for a one on one, hourly tutorial. This comes with a very affordable fee that starts from P150 to P300.
Hotels and paid residences are lined up in the area, separated by a two lane road and elevated few meters from the shoreline. Safe to say, the beach is so close from the veranda, keeping guests entertained by the growling waves of the mighty Pacific.
Come pageant night, I am more than elated to once again work with fellow Negrense, Eduardo Pillora Jr., who served as the captain of the production as director.
I could not contain my happiness in seeing a local talent conquer the pageantry scene, staging classy yet updated, fast yet creative presentations. Indeed, Direk Edu has left Negros for good reasons. He put himself on a bigger stage, entice other corners with his brilliance, and, yes, carry the zeal of a Negrosanon creative artist in the highly competitive world of event production.
The crowd from the eight towns of one of the country's smallest province proved to be hardcore beauty pageant enthusiasts. Even a quick shut off of power never dismayed them, as segment after segment, they have delivered a kind of support that in itself, was more than entertaining to watch.
After a back to back "cinematic experience" of putting altogether James Bond and Miss Congeniality modern cult classics for the production, swimwear and gown presentations, Odeza Doqueza of Dilasag paved her way to snatch the crown for an emotional victory.
The 24-year-old beauty queen graduated with a degree in Information Technology at the Aurora State College of Technology. Her prize of P35,000 allowed her to recover their family's half hectare piece of land that was pawned in 2015 to finance her father's hospitalization.
As of today, they already got their land back, a fitting stance for a true queen to act selflessly in the name of family, a treasure more precious than gold or silver.
Indeed, Baler and the province of Aurora have so many reasons to boast about. Apart from the golden sunset that enthralls visitors with its Midas touch feel, it is home to many beautiful and kind people, like its new queen, Deza.
Until then, as I pack my bag to catch my way home, I will forever carry with me the waves of Baler, a true symbol of its people's undying beauty: strong willed and always moving forward despite life's many adversities.