Ride to Paralaya Film Festival in Sta. Rita, Pampanga c/o Japo Parcero

The last time I went to a film festival was when my friend from Fliptop, JV–a film student then, a graduate now–invited me to come to their school's free film showing in April 2015: CineSB 5inco. Although I don't consider myself as deeply immersed in it as other film goers and enthusiasts that I know, I enjoy these things a lot. Attendance on events like this must not go amiss, especially when they are already being offered for free.

There was a time in my life when I aggressively tried to ~art~ (I took Multimedia Arts before Psychology but I didn't finish it) so when I saw Ate Japo's invite to ride to the film festival in Sta. Rita, Pampanga, my desire to be art (or at least, have a chance to be supportive of it) made a flashback. I hit her up right away, inquired about the plan of action and she, as always, was so kind and welcoming with her replies. 😊 We first met when I had the opportunity to ride with her last June: Ride to the South, before her 30-day ride for Baby Johann ended. (Read: Riding a bike to save a baby's life).

Paralaya, meaning to move up and forward [to Mt. Arayat] (hence, the mountain outline in the poster), showcased films from Kapampangan directors and/or films with Kapampangan roots at the Eco Park and we were able to attend its first day, getting there on our bikes. The event was made–in the exact words of Mr. Bor Ocampo - actor in the major film that was shown (Dukit), director of one of the entries in the Metro Manila Film Fest this 2016 (EJK), and organizer of Paralaya–"to propagate film literacy."

December 17, 2016: Felicia the fixie in Sta. Cruz, Bulacan

It's been a while since I took Felicia out, she's been stagnantly lonely at home that her headset even gets stiffer and stiffer from non-usage. I wasn't able to get her serviced beforehand because our meetup at the Mall of Asia in Pasay was at 8AM and the local bike shop that I turn to was not yet open at the time I passed by the area. When Ate Japo arrived at the meetup at 10AM, her bike was missing a bearing because she detached and just re-attached the parts when she went and came from Vietnam. There were four of us who rode out from MOA. Ate Japo and I were on fixies and the other two: Reyjie and Jay-R, were on mtbs. She couldn't steer her drop bar so we tried out Quiapo to look for another bearing. While she's asking around, I thought I might as well get Felicia greased so that I can enjoy our ride better. She turned to the next shop in sight, Mars Kingdom. I didn't want to go far so I asked the mechanic there for grease. I even did the detaching of the headset myself, all I really needed was that yellow, petroleum jelly-like stuff. The mechanic didn't seem to know what I was talking about. I turned away for a second, asking Ate Japo if she had found a replacement yet; she didn't. Next thing I know, the mechanic is already applying some dark, oil-like grease to my headset all while pronouncing, "Hindi naman dapat 'to ginagrasahan, masisira lang 'to." (This is not supposed to be greased, it'll just get broken). I've seen the very adequate mechanic at the local bike shop I get my bikes serviced at (Vice Bike Shop) grease my headset many times. It serves as a lubricant so steering will run smoothly, that's why I'm pretty aware headsets get greased... just not with the stuff the mechanic used. The shop's seeming owner (I say this as I'm not sure if he is indeed the owner, but it seemed like it) kept asking me what's broken with my bike so he could try to help. Nothing's broken!!! I just need to get it greased properly. It's too late to protest anything at that point since the mechanic already applied what he claims will just break my bike but applied it anyway, which is clearly not the service I was trying to get. Since we rode out from MOA two hours later than scheduled, we were running late to the next meetup where two other bikers were waiting. To make sure Ate Japo will get her missing bearing replaced, we were to go to her friend's shop in Quezon City, so without further discussions or most likely reprimanding (coming from me), I just swiftly asked the mechanic how much I owed him. He referred me to the seeming shop owner and then the seeming shop owner referred me to the lady inside the shop, who must be the cashier. Because the group was ready to go, there was urgency in my tone when I approached the lady who was too focused on her phone to notice. Then, when I told her what I was paying for (grease), she asked me for 50php. WHAT!? I exclaimed. The expression she made hinted me that she knew that that price was a mistake, turning on a sweet approach coming from her originally nonchalant reception, "Magkano po ba singil sa inyo sa labas?" (How much was asked from you outside?) "Wala namang sinabi, tinuro lang ako dito. Sa loob daw ako magbayad." ([He] didn't say. I was just directed here to pay). When she was trying to figure out how much I was supposed to pay, which I know should realistically range from 5php to 10php, the seeming shop owner then butted in and shouted, "Trenta!" (30php). 30php for grease? The wrong one, at that!? I can get rice and a viand for 30php in Tungko. I can get my bike tuned up for 30php. Are you serious? Again, because I was practically causing delay, I just paid a hundred-peso bill to the the lady who also finally understood that I was in a bit of a hurry. She panicked when she was trying to give me my seventy-peso change as it was coming short. If memory serves me right, I think she just got some coins in her own bag just to make me leave and go on my way. I believe that [most] people think girls are clueless when it comes to their own bike, which is partly true, so they take advantage of that by charging you more than you should be paying for which is dishonest and a goodwill-destroying way to do business. This is definitely charged to experience. I'll never go to Mars Kingdom again.

"Malapit na tayo, 20km na lang!"
Ate Japo's regular reminder: she'll say we're almost there every time we take a breather, even if it's not exactly true. 😝 Once she said it was going to be just 20km away. After conquering endless flats and notorious traffic, she reminded, "23km na lang!" Huh? 3km were added? 😂

In particular order: my Felicia, Ate Japo's Biancho, Albert's ??? (idk hehe), and Mark's Tutubi

After getting Ate Japo's bearing replaced at her friend's secluded shop in QC, we met up with two fixie riders in Bulacan: Mark and Albert. There was a confusion when we met Mark and Albert because when we saw them, they were with a bunch of other fixie riders so we assumed they were a group. Ate Japo even rejoiced at the promise that many will be joining us on our ride to Pampanga. She asked them if we could just grab a quick bite, knowing they must have been waiting for a while because of the many delays. Their faces were so puzzled to almost no response, but they seemed to have permitted us anyway (well, actually, we kinda decided on our own too: we're gonna have lunch and it's gonna be okay with you!). At a nearby eatery, I spent 75php on a barbeque meal with unlimited gravy and a free drink. And, of course, because one cup of rice just doesn't suffice, especially with the size of their serving, I bought an extra cup for 12php. Reyjie shared with us his and Jay-R's order of halo-halo; I was skeptical to buy one for myself because it was a tad pricey at 75php but I'm glad I was able to taste it... it was sooo good! Thanks, Reyjie! 😄 While we were conversing on our eating table, getting a clear view upon the still perplexed-looking fixie riders waiting at the 7-eleven store just across the eatery, we learned that Mark and Albert thought that those guys were with us. And we thought they were with them. No wonder they were so confused. Eventually, they signaled us that they were gonna bolt and we just bid our same goodbyes as they left.

After eating, we continued on to try to make it in time for the start of the show at 4PM.

A quick stop to, yet again, a 7-eleven store warranted a mandatory purchase: a 25php Slurpee. We met up with a fellow biker who already is from Pampanga, Michael. We were almost there, but then Mark got played by the universe by getting a flat about three times. Ate Japo made me, Reyjie, Jay-R, and Michael go ahead while she, Mark, and Albert stayed behind to patch up the busted tire. My sports camera was acting up so I dismounted it prior getting to the Eco Park, which was a huge mistake. The way there was so scenic matched by the sunset, my heart was filled with so much joy to have had witnessed such beauty. Too bad I was not able to capture it, though. The sun was completely down when the four of us arrived at the venue around 6PM. We thought we were already too late but the event was actually just about to start.

The Eco Park that elicits a[n] [ec]static

Before going a few steps down to set up the tent

The feel of the place was definitely something that aroused my interest. It was open and well-spaced. The weather was perfect as well. There was a threat of rain but it didn't push through, so it was cool and dry.

Tent for stargazing and Felicia on easy display

Not long after we have set up the tent, came Ate Japo, Mark, and Albert. We chilled for a bit and abided by the program. First, everyone stood up for the national anthem. It was then followed by a performance of Atin Cu Pung Sing Sing, a popular Kapampangan song which I actually remember learning about in my Philippine Literature class. Introductions were made until it was time for the film showing.

I and some of the others got some arroz caldo at the stall on the highway of the park for 35php, which was somewhat pricey for its amount of serving. I made a mistake of not having dinner plans and went straight to the venue empty-handed. The arroz caldo was good, though; its warm feel in the tummy matched with the gradual dropping of temperature. To the rescue were some other riders on fat bikes who's from Guagua, Pampanga. They gave us a putok batok supply of chicharon, satisfying my high blood fantasies. 💛

Por Da Lab | Shot by Japo Parcero

In between and after the film showing, the band called Por Da Lab encompassed beautiful sounds of their own compositions at the Eco Park. My favorite track from them was 'Bonifacio'. I also especially like how one of the directors in the audience grooved to their music when they made a cover performance of 'Kapayapaan'.

The event ended earlier than expected despite starting late. Around 11PM, it was decided that we should get some shuteye before riding back home at 1:30AM. I couldn't sleep right away for some reason, so I got to chat with Reyjie, whose tent I occupied as my own (haha!) and Albert, who became one with the locals when he and Mark jammed with the crew on some hard liquor after the set was packed up.

Time to go home
1:30AM came but everyone was asleep, including me. Ate Japo woke me up around 5AM and we rode out around that time instead. The two mtb riders chose to be left behind because they plan to wander around the city more in the morning before heading back home, so only the four of us fixie riders went on our way.

We pedaled in the dark, backtracking the same route we passed to get there. We stopped at a carinderia Ate Japo recommended to have breakfast. I spent 55php on one cup of rice and an order of a squid dish.

Morning faces! Mark, Albert, me, and Ate Japo | Courtesy of Mark Piano

Afterwards, I tried out that Kratos coffee for 27php, thinking it will boost me up once it kicks in. It's hard to keep up with experienced fixie riders, y'know. The coffee just made my heart ache, lol. But I must say, for a non-coffee drinker, it was quite good. Mark and Albert parted ways with us in Bulacan while Ate Japo and I stuck together until we headed to our respective homes. The ride there was fulfilling enough, taking Felicia on her fourth long ride. To ride to see quality, local films and performances in a camping setting was a mix of all my loves fused together–cycling, nature, music, and art: creating a wonderful experience.

Thanks Ate Japo for inviting us! 😊 We had a blast! (See Japo Parcero's post here).

Felicia made some new friends!

See my Ride to Paralaya Film Festival.

December 18, 2016: Before leaving Pampanga | Taken by Japo Parcero