Siargao Island - A taste of the talent!

Somebody call the cops, these Siargao Junior Champs are tearing up the Philippines. Shots out to Phil & Mark for this little trailer. Both are amazing surfers, just waiting to be discovered! I produced this vid back in Vancouver, but shot it in General Luna, home to the infamous Cloud 9 break on Siargao Island. Peep game.

She's Got Skillz

Filipinos aren't really known for their outstanding vollyball skillz. However.. this video may have you think twice before you challenge one to a game, especially if your challenger is a 12 year old girl.

DISCO DISCO

No gold glitter, bell-bottoms or Afros. This Disco is straight up grimy! Once a week the local community throws a DISCO. No drinking inside, but you can buy beers outside. It's packed with people of all ages. The songs of choice, Shawty Get Low and Akon (Na,Na,Na). I now have a new found love for Akon's annoying robotic synthesised voice. PS - Smiling faces from the crew I've been rolling with.

Early Morning Local Picken'z

It's 5:00am, the sun is bright and the local market is jam packed full of roosters, tri-cycles, diesel emmissions and proudly displayed foods from the local area. Sure I miss a delicious BBQ Sockeye Salmon, but I'll be honest.. the fish here is as colourful as it is delicious. I just wouldn't want to see where it comes from and how it is transported. Ahh, who cares. Everything is deep-fried. All the bacteria are killed... I think. PS - On the right is Victoria Hubaldo, she was the lady that invited me to the Philippines for her nieces wedding. I know her from the famous Vancouver meat shop, Save-On Meats.

Fresh Filipino Homemade Fireworks

If you've got the hook-ups in the Philippines, you can pretty much buy anything. The community fiesta was approaching and we decided it would be a good idea to buy some explosives. There are no rules here. When you're buying fireworks the only questions that need answering are, how big? and how many? Price is not a concern. These home-made explosives are pennies when you convert our CAN dollar. PS - the family that sold us the fireworks invited us into their hut for beers, pork currey and Halo-Halo (a slurpee style drink made with everything under the Filipino sun). The lady that served us the food was as old, weathered (and charming) as the small house they lived in. They were some of the nicest people I've met so far.

The Wedding

My time is running out on my internet so I have to take off. All I can say is that a Filipino, Roman Catholic Wedding is awesome, especially when you catch the gauder belt!! haha.

TAGAY!! My new crew

I arrived in Iloilo a few days ago to begin the second portion of my journey. I was sad to leave Siargao, but when I finally reached my next destination, I was blown away by how cool my next group of friends would be. They have a saying in this town, TAGAY ("Tah-guy"), which means "let's drink!". At times it is the only thing we know how say to each other. We share one communal glass and take turns pouring each other drinks, before we pass the glass we shout Tagay! How do I know these people you may ask, they are all friends and family of the Philippino family that invited me to their wedding.

Leaving Siargao

Dancing Alvie!

On my way to Siargao I came across the raddest kid ever, I named him Dancing Alvie. His parents must have given up the fight to make him sit still. That, or they feed him a gallon of Coke.

More Ninos

Sunday at the Siargao Community Arena

I don't mean to offend anyone with this post, and when I say that I'm thinking of my mom. But, the culture of cock-fighting is something that I'm definitley happy I embraced (for a full day). Here in the sunny Philippines, cock-fighting is not illeagle, it's welcomed. Some, probably most, communities live by it. In a world where every single peso counts, vendors sell pop, beer and snacks, the community charges an entrance fee (which goes toward the over head of maintaining the arena) and the people are entertained. Super Bowl Sunday, move over. Put down that pack of doritos and get up off your lazy boy. Stuff a few pesos into your pocket, jump on your bike and head over to the local cock-fighting arena for a day full of standing, yelling and waving your hands in the air.

I would also like to add, not every battle results in a death. In most cases, they both live.. one just has a few more injuries than the other. And, while on the earth, these roosters are prized, groomed, brushed and fed better than any cooped up cockatile I've ever seen. First picture left to right: our bids man, the only other white dude at the arena (whom I obviously made friends with) and myelf.. with our prize winning rooster. Note: I'm still not tanned.. mom, you'll be stoked to know I wear sunscreen.

Siargao's Local Boyz

And then there is 18 year old Mark. An amazing example of world class talent, without the abilities (computer, money, agent, vehical or general knowledge of busines or marketing) promote himself. He loves to surf. "Jag, Let Go Surf, When?" His famous words. Maybe his only words. I'll be honest when I say, it's the only thing on this cats mind. I've had the honor of hanging with Mark and his entourage of 1st place, world ranked, jungle kids for the last 3 days. I've only seen this kid eat once, and it was the apple I gave him. I'm not saying he's completely broke, he's addicted to surfing.

Little NINOS

Okay, everybody knows "ninos" (pronounced: neen-yoes) is spanish for word kids.. but
hey, give me a break. This kids cute face screams the word nino. If anyone of you could have witnessed this cute sight for sore (hung over eyes) you would saying, "Where do I sign?" on the Philipinne adoption papers. Nuff said.

Her parents own a small surfboard rental / cafe about 100 ft from one of our frequented surf spots. Every morning, 6:30am, I'll see her and her family (bros, sis', cousins, and other random village kids) eating their breakfast of rice and other Philippino dishes. Where do I sign?

The COPS in Manila

Sure I was taken back by a pack of wandering street kids no older than 12, one was dirty faced and in full strut. He was dressed in a shiney gold swim suite. Regardless, I let my sholders hang, grabbed a warm beer and found a solid wall to rest my back against as I observed my surroundings. It took no longer than 5 minutes of eyeing me up, a group of middle aged men shoutted from across the narrow street, "Hey! What the hell you doing here?".. I pretended like I didn't here. Obviously they knew I did. The smallest one got up and approached me. Next thing I knew he was shaking my hand and inviting me to join them for a late night snack, roasted duck in vinger and chili. It was awesome. I later found out they were cops. I guess after 15-16 beer they like to give tourists a hard time. The next day they escorted me on motorbike through customs and got me on my way to Siargao, part one of my journey. My surfing destination.

Ricks Tips on Safety & Travel

Local Vancouver man, Rick, provides us with some tips on how to travel safely. His tips include, carry pepper spray, a knife, fake wallet, an emergency "bill fold" of money and a cellphone with 911 programmed into the contacts.

Ol' Grandpa Mayzer's Safety Tips on Travel

Ol' Grandpa Mayzer's Top 2 Safety Tips
#1. Saftey in Numbers
#2. Protect Yourself at all Times

Sam May (or "Mayzer" as we called him) was a professional scrapper, trapper and dance floor tapper. He had a two simple tips in life. It was these two tips that helped him win consecutive Golden Gloves Championships, fight off furocious Grizzlies, and conquer many hearts on the dance floor. I'll be sure to pack these two tips safetly in my travel bag. Thanks Mayzer.