Random Photos 2017 – Food from Zambales and Beyond

I cannot attest whether the stomach is the best way to a man’s heart or not. I believe that food is not only a basic human need, it nourishes, eases the discomfort caused by hunger – and stress (that is unhealthy though) – and brings people together.

Food in the Philippines is a fusion of different flavors and influences. I have foreign friends and acquaintances who find Filipino cuisine unique in some ways and how ingenious we are in preparing meals and snacks. We use vinegar in cooking, which is not common in other countries. We eat cashew leaves, bamboo shoots, balut, among others. Nevertheless, similar to other cultures in the world, we have food meant only to be eaten in certain occasions, we prepare food based on tradition and belief, and we have techniques that are passed on from one generation to the next.

Food is good. I love eating, and food is best enjoyed free of charge. I rarely eat outside and when I do, it is more likely because it is free, cheap or it really is that good, or when I am really, really hungry – I am used to my mother’s cooking and somehow, the taste of home food is a standard measure. I dine out with friends and family. I eat street food, so I am not that fastidious in what I eat; unless, of course, if you will let me eat something icky or what they call exotic. I am not a fan.

Random Photos 2016 (1)

Being busy at work does not mean not getting the time to have a refresher. Work and work without enjoying the fruits of one’s labor is dull. Taking some time off from work and busy daily routines to breath and smell the roses is not wasting time — it is finding time to rejuvenate from all the stress and worries. It is seeking adventure. It is finding peace and happiness.

I am not a pro when it comes to taking photos but here are some of the photos I have taken so far.  I hope you will enjoy seeing the photos as much as I have taken them. Good day to all!

We found this colorful display in April, before the city’s celebration of their festival.

It was raining lightly during the time this photo was taken; hence, the droplets on the lens. The three-storey building on the right is an old movie house. This is in front of RMTU Main Campus’ entrance.

The best smile. Mango Festival features a street dancing competition each year.

A Beautiful Afternoon at RMTU Candelaria

Part of my work is to assist in the conduct of seminars, meetings and trainings. This gives me an opportunity to go places, learn, share ideas and be inspired of what I am going to write next. More than a month ago, we visited Ramon Magsaysay Technological University’s Candelaria Campus, formerly known as Candelaria School of Fisheries.

After the meeting, I had an opportunity to walk around the campus (the part that RMTU owns). It is small. There are asphalt stone paths as well as covered walkways leading to the key buildings. It is far from the town proper and took us about five minutes from the highway to the campus by car.

The Administration Building of RMTU Candelaria Campus.

The ambiance in the campus is backward. It has that provincial feel (the characteristic is colloquially referred to as “promdi” derived from the phrase “from the province”).

The “Pier” in Cabangan: A New Beach Lovers’ Destination

Biking at Cabangan? Why not try the “Pier”? Or if you are looking for a place to enjoy the sea and take photos, the place is surely worth visiting.

The post-Holiday season in Zambales means cold evenings and warm days although there are still chances for storms and rains. While the water is chilly and the winds can be strong, many people choose to spend time in the province not only because of its accessibility or affordability but also of its laid back charm and hospitable people.

Last year, I started this blog with many things in mind, one of which is to let other people know of the wonders of Zambales.  So far, after writing a few articles (which by far is less than once a month in average and I am thanking you right now for reading), I am back to feature Cabangan.

Cabangan is a town almost at the center of the province. It is a small municipality, which is (by bus) about an hour and 45 minutes away from Olongapo City and almost 45 minutes away from Iba, the capital of Zambales.

Similar to the other towns in Zambales, Cabangan is a destinationfor beach lovers. Resorts are only a few minutes away from the highway and amenities are good as well as affordable. However if you are on a tight budget, there are beach fronts open to the public.

The Dragonfly. A dragonfly rests on a rock during my visit and did not stir while the shot was taken, and surprisingly, at a very close distance.

When Bucao River dries up, it’s photo time

Hot, dry and dusty like a desert. This is what to expect when you plan on going to Bucao River during the summer season in Zambales. While the Mt. Pinatubo, Lady of Poonbato, ‘Domorokdok’ Festival and their beach resorts may be the most popular reasons to visit the town, you may want to consider checking out their waterfalls, try hiking, or visiting historic sites, such as their Catholic church.

Every day, I commute to work and one of the rivers I pass by is the Bucao River. Its bridge, one of the longest in Zambales, collapsed after a strong typhoon hit the province a few years ago, which, sadly, also destroyed roads, facilities and other infrastructures. Today, another bridge was built but a section of the old one is still standing, reminding the people of the devastation.

Now, back to the present, there are some things to remember when crossing the Bucao Bridge.

OBSERVATION TOUR REFLECTS STUDENTS’ EMBODIMENT OF PMMA CORE VALUES

Hectic – that is the single word that explains the first quarter of my year. I am a workaholic but this first quarter had been the most busiest first quarter I have had at work. In the previous companies I have worked at, there had not been the same amount of headaches, deadlines and calculations (read: taxation and statistics) to be done.

This job topped those two others plus the on-the-job training I have had.

So when a friend asked me to go to the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy on a weekend, which was within the celebration of Zambales Dinamulag Mango Festival, I immediately grabbed the opportunity to enjoy the weekend (meaning no overtime falling in a weekend) for a bit.

The invitation was for an Observation Tour at the PMMA. The activity was part of the Mango Festival, which is an annual event (April 25) in Zambales that celebrates the harvest of its main fruit product, the Dinamulag Mango, also known as ‘Kinalabaw na Mangga’ (Carabao Mango). The said variety is known as the sweetest mango in the world.

It was a hot sunny day. Summer in Zambales has always been about hitting the beach, or any places where one can bask under the sun and swim. To be different and in support to local tourism, the PMMA opened its doors to local and foreign tourists. Part of the tour is the silent drill performed by batch 2015.

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The students are the epitome of the core values of PMMA: “Kawastuhan,” Kababaang Loob,” and “Kagitingan” [Righteousness, Humility, and Valiance (Integrity)].There is no wonder that many people look upon PMMA graduates with high respect and regards.

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CLRAA Meet in Zambales is for Shoppers Too

The 2014 Central Luzon Regional Athletics Association Meet has already ended as of writing this article, however, it is pleasing to know that the province of Zambales, particularly in Iba, which was the venue of most of the contests, had once again hosted the sports event.

Although CLRAA Meet is all about friendly athletic competition and display of sportsmanship, the event also gave local businessmen and school districts an opportunity to participate in a bazaar. This year, many teachers contributed to the event not only as coaches but also as merchants and promoters of the local products found in each municipality in the province.

Cabangan Christmas Tree Lighting Beckons More Than a Month-long Merry Christmas Celebration

In Zambales, many people look forward to the Yuletide season. The province is home to creative and resourceful people and throughout the year, these attributes are showcased in many occasions, such as Christmas and festivities.

Of the towns, Cabangan, Zambales is one of the places worth visiting during the Holidays. Many people are excited every first of December because it beckons the lighting of the gigantic Christmas tree in front of the municipal hall.

The giant tree.

The view from the top of the municipal hall.

A man who is working on the Christmas Tree and Lights passes by . The Municipal Hall has a front yard that has been used for different activities.

In the morning, the Nativity Scene looks flat against the sky, but once night falls in, that changes.

Cabangan Municipal Hall

Cabangan Municipal Hall is a unique landmark in Zambales because of its architecture. Aside from its V-shaped main building, the infrastructure has an elevated driveway leading to the main entrance.

The activity has been done for a couple of years now and so many people are awestruck with the effort the town’s officials and folks are putting in to the display of lights and colors.

‘Balin Zambali’ is a Christmas Sight to See

If there are any places where Christmas is a big deal, the Philippines is one of those. The Yuletide Season begins in the “-ber” months or September and ends in the celebration of the Three Kings, which is days after the New Year.

It is beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas everywhere. Festive lights, colorful lanterns are displayed in many houses, along the streets and other public places, and joyous carols are filling the air.

Fortunately, in Zambales, there are lots of wonderful places to see during the long Christmas Season.

The last time my friends and I passed by the Zambales Sports Complex, its main building, called Balin Zambali (not pronounced as Bali that of Indonesia), has been decorated with colorful and lively Christmas lights and being prepared for an upcoming regional sports event, which is either CLRAA or SCUAA.

The Balin Zambali (sometimes, Sambali) or “Zambales House” now glitters in the night after the Christmas lights were installed on its facade.

The sports complex is located right beside Zambales National High School. It has a stadium, a gymnasium (which houses the basketball court), a pool, tennis courts, track, a football field, and volleyball courts. The complex had been used in different local, regional and national events, and had been hosting regional athletics meets consecutively.

Its prominent building is its dormitory, Balin Zambali, which in local dialect means Zambales House (coarsely translated). The infrastructure has a front grass lawn, with palm trees and some plants, and outdoor chairs. It has a stone path leading to the main entrance of the building (I never get to see inside, but I’ll try next time). It has three main colors, following the Philippine flag’s palette — red white and blue.

My Cabangan Journey Begins With A Single Step

Walking is one of the things I do to free my mind from the things that trouble me or whenever I feel the need to unwind, and scoop for inspiration. Often, I bring my phone or sometimes a camera in case I may find something interesting to shoot.

I am not a photographer, maybe a shutterbug for landscapes, architecture, installments, artworks, notes or anything that could resemble a still life feel – capture a moment that could paint a thousand words.

Zambales is one of those places that boast scenic places in the Philippines. Other than its beaches, the province is home to rich classic architecture and history, green countryside, and wonderful people – not to mention, good food.

Cabangan, one of the towns in Zambales, has that warm, cozy ambiance. Its laid back, rural feel charms both local and foreign tourists. Adding to its appeal are the beaches, and other sceneries that are worth every shot.

Take, for example, the Tangway River. Walking along the river’s bank is exhilarating. Biking is another option, especially during the morning.

As usual, I preferred to walk and I brought the camera with me and took some shots, which I gradually watermarked and added some with quotations about journey.