Awe-Stuffed Afternoon at La Union

WANDER TRANCE

Strolling the San Fernando stretch…

Laid-Back: The still and quiet San Fernando stretch in a mind-numbing afternoon.

A relief for some, a respite for many – that was how the NLE thing stirred us after its windup. But at the end of the day, this only means, suggests, and calls… party, party!

The swimming pool seemed like a rice field partied by rumbling giant frogs while the grubby beach looked as if a canal reveled by young indiscriminate children. Pretty much, they were all enjoying the scene and I was just watching here – envious – of the fun brimming over the picture.

So what can I do now? I knew I cannot jump over the crowded pool and plunge in the dirty beach!

I, tired and impatient, encouraged my friend then – who belittled the shoreline too on our first day at the resort – to go with me for a stroll. She stared me with disgust, saying, “That beach! What’s with that beach?”

“I don’t know. But we’ll see. Come on, it’s our fourth day here and we haven’t seen the San Fernando sunset,” I answered.

 

 

Clockwise from Top Left: The calm shoreline of San Fernando. Huge and colorful clams collected by the folks. On our way to the grotto.

At first, we were disappointed - the muddy shore, the wastes and the smell. But later, we were mesmerized - the clams, the grotto and the magnificent sunset.

Last Surprise: The dull moment was followed with a powerful orange-radiating sky scene.

In life, it is ok to say something as long as it is not fabricated, it does not involve character humiliation and most importantly, it will not keep the arrogance in you (just in case you realize you're wrong) later.

[Read More]

Pagudpud | Drizzly To Cheery, Gloomy to Orangey

Spending the last day of Summer '11!

 

 

These photos are what we always long in our batch when thinking of Pagudpud other than those memories we had since high school. So every summer, we grab this opportunity, this one-million-worth-chance over our busy schedules, to relive those days and get to share new things in our lives. 

[Read More]

Bangui | Windmills

Which is which?


Bangui, Ilocos Norte. Full of promises. From undeveloped coastal area to vast verdant farmlands. Simple and happy folks inhabited the humble locality. Until, fifteen windmills were constructed along the seashore of the rich Bangui bay. Then five more were added recently.

But do we really have something to owe with these gigantic fans? No profound one. Not anything deep but superficial famousness. A big change. Urban dudes are now talking about Beng-gi. Well, that’s how would they pronounced the pungent Bang-gi. Gross! But denser than this includes lot of complaints.

Reports show that the building of these windmills had cut the coins of the fishermen. That windmill must be that sharp, steel cutter huh! Seriously, the catches of fishermen significantly dropped. Scientifically, I don’t know the explanation of this. But it is believed that the movement of the enormous fans of the windmills drives away the fishes. Too sad.

In as much as the work of these fishermen is concerned, these windmills at least welcomed some jobs. Don’t rejoice, it’s only a job. A job with no opportunity at all. No future. Coming up with cafeterias, coffee shops and restaurants nearby is one. Wait. Are you thinking? How would these businesses profit much? Tourists only come and go. They don’t stay at the place for hours. They are only after the pictures. Documentations.

How about the selling of souvenirs? Still not a good idea. One shop would be enough. People cannot just have a stand in a certain area and just wait and wait. In one week, you could only sell five? To ten stuffs, I'm pretty sure. Not productive.

Indeed potentials and other attributes of the town are overpowered or worst, disbanded by these fans. There’s a portion of the bay before that is patronized because of the magical stones, I mean stunning pebbles, that is opulently distributed in the place. But now? All gone. Like bubbles that burst in a matter of time.

Bangui does have a lot to offer. Natural resources such as falls, rivers and spring had been overlooked. The not established names of these just got worst, as I have said, had been overshadowed by these big fat fans.

Benefits. People think. People thought. That. That there are benefits of the folks living in the town, but actually… nothing. No thing. Even a lowered electric bill? No. Cannot be felt at all. And what’s the purpose of having a good source of electricity if wires and lines in the municipality are not organized, not managed well. When typhoon comes, it takes about 3 days that they can put back the current. No good service.

Woooh! A lot. Of complaints.

The above photos showcase the two sides of Bangui. When you are at the Bangui Viewdeck, a sort of a lookout of the whole town, you can view these majestic fans. Indeed, they are eye-catching. From toddlers peeping at the window of cars to foreigners holding a Canon to shot that picturesque scene. These Windmills are what they are into. This view on the left is always preferred by lot. Yes, a lot. But there are few who opt for the right view. You're right. It's on the right and it is right. Correctooooow! Magnificentooooow! And I am one of these few who chooses the very natural in this world. Ricefields. Mountains. Greeneries.

[Read More]

Pagudpud | Year-End Sunset

All things must come to an end.

The sun rises cheerfully, furnishing us with hope – the sun sets majestically, instilling us with love. A tree is cut into pieces and burned – a charcoal is ignited and turned to ashes. Through metamorphosis, butterflies develop – through destiny, they disappear completely.

Great heavenly bodies, living and non-living things, beautiful creatures in this world – all entertained us, gave pleasure on our eyes and in a moment we don’t know they had vanished away. So what’s more to our feelings, the hatred, and all the love?

The above photo was taken at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte last December 31. It’s the perfect way to end the year with friends, old friends. Yeah! We were all damp at the start of the day with all the drizzles that the weather showered to us but still we were rolling, kicking, laughing and enjoying every second. Oh wait! We don’t know the sun will popped again with this awe-inspiring sunset. 

[Read More]