Why this IT engineer packed his bags and moved to Baler | ABS-CBN
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Why this IT engineer packed his bags and moved to Baler
Gayuma Cafe by Coffeedocia co-owner John Benedict "JB" Sison in Baler, Aurora. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Gayuma Cafe by Coffeedocia co-owner John Benedict "JB" Sison in Baler, Aurora. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
BALER -- JB Sison loves Baler. It is the place where he found the perfect waves to surf on, a good community to be with, and the love of his life.
BALER -- JB Sison loves Baler. It is the place where he found the perfect waves to surf on, a good community to be with, and the love of his life.
Which is why, in the middle of the pandemic, he settled in the coastal municipality for good.
Which is why, in the middle of the pandemic, he settled in the coastal municipality for good.
Hailing from Marikina, the IT engineer in Metro Manila worked for an action camera company on weekdays. But on weekends? He'd definitely be in Baler.
Hailing from Marikina, the IT engineer in Metro Manila worked for an action camera company on weekdays. But on weekends? He'd definitely be in Baler.
"Every weekend, nasa Baler na rin ako noon. Doon ko na-realize, why not stay here? Pero hindi ko pa kaya noon, may office pa, so hindi pa puwede. So every weekend, Baler; tapos every weekday, Manila for work."
"Every weekend, nasa Baler na rin ako noon. Doon ko na-realize, why not stay here? Pero hindi ko pa kaya noon, may office pa, so hindi pa puwede. So every weekend, Baler; tapos every weekday, Manila for work."
(Every weekend I was going back and forth Baler before. That's when I realized, why not stay here. But it was not possible before because of work. So I used to travel to Baler on weekends and back to Manila for work on weekdays.)
(Every weekend I was going back and forth Baler before. That's when I realized, why not stay here. But it was not possible before because of work. So I used to travel to Baler on weekends and back to Manila for work on weekdays.)
When the COVID-19 pandemic came and Sison got caught in lockdown in Baler for three months, it was the big push he needed to gradually make the move from the busy city to the chill surf town.
When the COVID-19 pandemic came and Sison got caught in lockdown in Baler for three months, it was the big push he needed to gradually make the move from the busy city to the chill surf town.
"Tinry ko naman sa Marikina pa rin, pero hindi ko na kaya 'yung lifestyle... Madali na ako ma-stress sa traffic and all. And 'yung food dito, fresh lahat. Masasabi kong mas healthy, at saka low-cost lahat. Sobrang baba ng cost of living. And 'yung peace of mind mo rito, kahit kayo pag pumunta kayo rito, mapi-feel n'yo na relaxing sa Baler."
"Tinry ko naman sa Marikina pa rin, pero hindi ko na kaya 'yung lifestyle... Madali na ako ma-stress sa traffic and all. And 'yung food dito, fresh lahat. Masasabi kong mas healthy, at saka low-cost lahat. Sobrang baba ng cost of living. And 'yung peace of mind mo rito, kahit kayo pag pumunta kayo rito, mapi-feel n'yo na relaxing sa Baler."
(I tried staying in Marikina, but I just could not take the lifestyle anymore. I was stressed easily, especially the traffic. And the food here, everything is fresh. It is really healthy and affordable. The cost of living is really low. And of course the peace of mind that you get. You yourselves can come here and feel how relaxing Baler is.)
(I tried staying in Marikina, but I just could not take the lifestyle anymore. I was stressed easily, especially the traffic. And the food here, everything is fresh. It is really healthy and affordable. The cost of living is really low. And of course the peace of mind that you get. You yourselves can come here and feel how relaxing Baler is.)
Surfers ride the waves in Sabang Beach in Baler, Aurora. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Surfers ride the waves in Sabang Beach in Baler, Aurora. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsSison stumbled upon Baler in 2015 when was looking for a new surfing spot, moving away from Real, Quezon despite the shorter travel time from Metro Manila.
Sison stumbled upon Baler in 2015 when was looking for a new surfing spot, moving away from Real, Quezon despite the shorter travel time from Metro Manila.
"Hindi ko pa alam kung ano 'yung Baler noon e, kasi underrated talaga siya," Sison recalls.
"Hindi ko pa alam kung ano 'yung Baler noon e, kasi underrated talaga siya," Sison recalls.
(I didn't know about Baler then, because it was really underrated.)
(I didn't know about Baler then, because it was really underrated.)
He packed his bags, went on a solo trip, and enjoyed the consistent waves Baler offered him year-round compared to his previous spot.
He packed his bags, went on a solo trip, and enjoyed the consistent waves Baler offered him year-round compared to his previous spot.
Upon arrival, Sison enjoyed the company he made from the first trip onward. "Sabi ko okay dito a! Mabait 'yung mga tao dito. 'Yung mga locals dito, parang gustong gusto nila pag ay mga dayo. Gusto nilang kaibiganin. Isa rin 'yun kung bakit gusto kong bumabalik sa Baler. Dami ko nang kaibigan dito."
Upon arrival, Sison enjoyed the company he made from the first trip onward. "Sabi ko okay dito a! Mabait 'yung mga tao dito. 'Yung mga locals dito, parang gustong gusto nila pag ay mga dayo. Gusto nilang kaibiganin. Isa rin 'yun kung bakit gusto kong bumabalik sa Baler. Dami ko nang kaibigan dito."
One of those friends would later become his wife and business partner. Now, they have a cafe near Sabang Beach.
One of those friends would later become his wife and business partner. Now, they have a cafe near Sabang Beach.
"Ang kuwento kasi diyan, 'yung ex-girlfriend ko, which is my wife now, may coffee shop siya sa tabing dagat. Nag-meet kami, doon kami nagkakilala. Tapos naging kami na, hanggang sa naisipan namin i-merge na lang namin 'yung coffee shop."
"Ang kuwento kasi diyan, 'yung ex-girlfriend ko, which is my wife now, may coffee shop siya sa tabing dagat. Nag-meet kami, doon kami nagkakilala. Tapos naging kami na, hanggang sa naisipan namin i-merge na lang namin 'yung coffee shop."
(The story behind it is, my ex-girlfriend, who is now my wife, had a coffee shop beside the beach. That's where we met, and came together. Later on we decided to merge our coffee shops.)
(The story behind it is, my ex-girlfriend, who is now my wife, had a coffee shop beside the beach. That's where we met, and came together. Later on we decided to merge our coffee shops.)
Gayuma Cafe by Coffeedocia in Baler, Aurora. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Gayuma Cafe by Coffeedocia in Baler, Aurora. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Sison owns a coffee shop in Marikina, but while it remains operational, he focuses more on the merged cafe in Baler with his wife.
Sison owns a coffee shop in Marikina, but while it remains operational, he focuses more on the merged cafe in Baler with his wife.
"Business is good, almost 2 years na. I should say nagbe-break even, minsan nakakakuha kami kapag may events, long weekend. Like now we have WSL (World Surf :eague) here in Baler, it's professional international surfing. So ang pasok ng tourist napakaganda. Paborito kasi kami ng mga foreign tourists. Japanese, Americans. 'Pag may ganitong event, 'yan maganda ang business. Though kasi sa Baler meron mga lean months, so 'yun 'yung July, August, September, medyo walang alon kasi. So 'yung pasok ng turista bababa. Pero 'yung ipon mo ng peak season, maba-balance naman 'yun. I should say, umiikot 'yung pera dito. Maganda naman 'yung pasok."
"Business is good, almost 2 years na. I should say nagbe-break even, minsan nakakakuha kami kapag may events, long weekend. Like now we have WSL (World Surf :eague) here in Baler, it's professional international surfing. So ang pasok ng tourist napakaganda. Paborito kasi kami ng mga foreign tourists. Japanese, Americans. 'Pag may ganitong event, 'yan maganda ang business. Though kasi sa Baler meron mga lean months, so 'yun 'yung July, August, September, medyo walang alon kasi. So 'yung pasok ng turista bababa. Pero 'yung ipon mo ng peak season, maba-balance naman 'yun. I should say, umiikot 'yung pera dito. Maganda naman 'yung pasok."
(Business has been good for almost two years now. We break even when there are events here or long weekends. Like now we have WSL here in Baler, it's professional international surfing, so there are lots of tourists. It's a favorite for foreigners, like Japanese, Americans. But we also have lean months here, like July, August, September, because the surf is weak, so the tourists stay away. But we recover during peak season. It's cyclical and the earnings are good enough.)
(Business has been good for almost two years now. We break even when there are events here or long weekends. Like now we have WSL here in Baler, it's professional international surfing, so there are lots of tourists. It's a favorite for foreigners, like Japanese, Americans. But we also have lean months here, like July, August, September, because the surf is weak, so the tourists stay away. But we recover during peak season. It's cyclical and the earnings are good enough.)
Despite moving to Baler, Sison makes the time to come back to Manila for two things: dropping by his employer's main office, and visiting family.
Despite moving to Baler, Sison makes the time to come back to Manila for two things: dropping by his employer's main office, and visiting family.
"May family pa rin ako sa Manila, nandoon pa rin 'yung lola ko, 'yung daddy ko, 'yung mga kapatid ko. Siguro 'yun isang reason ko umuuwi ako every month. Paminsan pumupunta sila dito, I'm good with that."
"May family pa rin ako sa Manila, nandoon pa rin 'yung lola ko, 'yung daddy ko, 'yung mga kapatid ko. Siguro 'yun isang reason ko umuuwi ako every month. Paminsan pumupunta sila dito, I'm good with that."
(I still have a family in Manila, my grandfather, father and siblings are still there. That is one of the reasons I still come home. But they also visit us here.)
(I still have a family in Manila, my grandfather, father and siblings are still there. That is one of the reasons I still come home. But they also visit us here.)
JB with some friends at Gayuma Cafe by Coffeedocia in Baler, Aurora. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
JB with some friends at Gayuma Cafe by Coffeedocia in Baler, Aurora. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
When he was first smitten with Baler, his family used to complain about his frequent trips to the surf town, but in time they understood his love for the place, especially when they got the chance to visit.
When he was first smitten with Baler, his family used to complain about his frequent trips to the surf town, but in time they understood his love for the place, especially when they got the chance to visit.
"Pero before nung every weekend ako dito, medyo 'ano ba yan, mag ba-Baler ka na naman ngayong weekend. Hindi ka na naman makakasama dito.' Pero eventually natanggap nila, nagpunta kasi sila dito so na-experience nila kung ano na-experience ko. And then 'yun yung isa sa dahilan kung bakit nila natanggap na dito ko gusto mag-stay. Kahit sila gusto nila dito. Kung wala lang silang work doon, gusto nila dito mag-stay. "
"Pero before nung every weekend ako dito, medyo 'ano ba yan, mag ba-Baler ka na naman ngayong weekend. Hindi ka na naman makakasama dito.' Pero eventually natanggap nila, nagpunta kasi sila dito so na-experience nila kung ano na-experience ko. And then 'yun yung isa sa dahilan kung bakit nila natanggap na dito ko gusto mag-stay. Kahit sila gusto nila dito. Kung wala lang silang work doon, gusto nila dito mag-stay. "
(Before, when I used to come every weekend here, they would say 'how come we never get to be with you on weekends anymore.' But eventually they accepted it, especially when they got to experience what I experienced here. Now, they also like staying here especially when there is no work.)
(Before, when I used to come every weekend here, they would say 'how come we never get to be with you on weekends anymore.' But eventually they accepted it, especially when they got to experience what I experienced here. Now, they also like staying here especially when there is no work.)
Despite Baler being a surfer's paradise, there are still some things to consider before making the jump to move in the area, says Sison.
Despite Baler being a surfer's paradise, there are still some things to consider before making the jump to move in the area, says Sison.
"May mga downsides 'pag mag-stay sa provincial area, coastal area. Dito pag sa tabing dagat, 'yung mga gadgets, humid e, expect mo may mga masisirang bagay. Pero okay lang, sulit sa experience mo dito. And then sa Baler meron kaming medyo brownout. Once, twice a month. Though meron namang workaround doon."
"May mga downsides 'pag mag-stay sa provincial area, coastal area. Dito pag sa tabing dagat, 'yung mga gadgets, humid e, expect mo may mga masisirang bagay. Pero okay lang, sulit sa experience mo dito. And then sa Baler meron kaming medyo brownout. Once, twice a month. Though meron namang workaround doon."
(There are also downsides to staying in a coastal, provincial area. Gadgets are prone to humidity. But that balances out with the total experience. There are also brownouts here, once or twice a month. But we have found a workaround for that too.)
(There are also downsides to staying in a coastal, provincial area. Gadgets are prone to humidity. But that balances out with the total experience. There are also brownouts here, once or twice a month. But we have found a workaround for that too.)
Professional surfers compete at the World Surf League (WSL) Baler International Pro 2024 in Baler, Aurora on February 6, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Professional surfers compete at the World Surf League (WSL) Baler International Pro 2024 in Baler, Aurora on February 6, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
If one can overcome all of these, Baler is definitely a solid place to consider for both vacations and relocation.
If one can overcome all of these, Baler is definitely a solid place to consider for both vacations and relocation.
"Pag dito kasi, state of mind mo mas relaxed. Para sa akin, mas naging active ako. That's one positive thing here. Pag stressed ka na sa work, lalabas ka lang sa dagat, parang may reset ka na kasi."
"Pag dito kasi, state of mind mo mas relaxed. Para sa akin, mas naging active ako. That's one positive thing here. Pag stressed ka na sa work, lalabas ka lang sa dagat, parang may reset ka na kasi."
(What i reaaly like here is having a relaxed state of mind. I feel I became more active here. That is one positive thing here, if you are stressed, you just go out to the beach and you feel you have pushed the reset button.)
(What i reaaly like here is having a relaxed state of mind. I feel I became more active here. That is one positive thing here, if you are stressed, you just go out to the beach and you feel you have pushed the reset button.)
"Can't compare to others, kung ang hanap niyo is relaxed kayo, walang stress, ng bahid ng Manila, Baler na 'yun. Bukod na nasa likod siya ng Sierra Madre, so that sets aside everything, meron siyang border na hihiwalay sa mga stressful things doon. 'Yun 'yung tingin ko sa Sierra Madre. Dito walang traffic, walang pollution, wala 'yung mga maiingay na tao. Ngayon, anong oras pa lang, 7? Kung 'yun 'yung hanap nyo, Baler na 'yun. Kelangan nyong puntahan. For sure."
"Can't compare to others, kung ang hanap niyo is relaxed kayo, walang stress, ng bahid ng Manila, Baler na 'yun. Bukod na nasa likod siya ng Sierra Madre, so that sets aside everything, meron siyang border na hihiwalay sa mga stressful things doon. 'Yun 'yung tingin ko sa Sierra Madre. Dito walang traffic, walang pollution, wala 'yung mga maiingay na tao. Ngayon, anong oras pa lang, 7? Kung 'yun 'yung hanap nyo, Baler na 'yun. Kelangan nyong puntahan. For sure."
(I cannot compare it, but if you want a relaxed and stress-free environment away from Manila, then Baler it is. The Sierra Madre mountain range separates us (from the city). Here there is no traffic, no pollution, no loud neighbors. Like it is just 7 o'clock now, but look. If that is the life that you want then you can have that in Baler, for sure.)
(I cannot compare it, but if you want a relaxed and stress-free environment away from Manila, then Baler it is. The Sierra Madre mountain range separates us (from the city). Here there is no traffic, no pollution, no loud neighbors. Like it is just 7 o'clock now, but look. If that is the life that you want then you can have that in Baler, for sure.)
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