BVNP Road

Road to Bulusan Lake

Seaview at the seawall

Seaview (Bulusan, December 10, 2014)

Morning after the storm

Typhoon Ruby inflicted minimal damage compared to Glenda. (Bulusan, December 2014)

Photo log #14

Cemented egg-like accents at the church yard (Bulusan, 2014)

Photo log #13

Door way to the school yard. (Bulusan, 2014)

Sunday snap

Rosas de alas diyes (Bulusan, 2014)
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Forgotten Full Moon

View from my window (Bulusan, 2014)
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Photo log #10

Village kids (Mabuhay, Bulusan, 2013)

Hibiscus

Kayanga is the old Bulusanon term for hibiscus. (Bulusan, 2014)
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Photo log #8

Folkloric bronze medals sold at the fiesta fair (Bulusan, 2014)
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Coastal living

A busy day for a mother in Sitio Dau, Dancalan, Bulusan.
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Photo log #6

Not my footprints (Dancalan Beach, Bulusan)

Photo log #5

Girl with buri hats (Odikin, Bulusan, 2014)
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Photo log #4

'Lagting' (Santa Barbara, Bulusan, 2014)
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Photo log #3

Fallen Santol Leaf, 2014
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Photo Log #2

Dancalan, Bulusan, 2014
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan graffiti photo log #1

Inspired by an awesome photographer, I will be logging in a daily dose of my photos at a rate of one picture a day starting today. The selections will be random from my photo files taken from 2012 to present.

My mentor's photos taught me not to shy away from the ordinary subjects hence the selections of my photos that I will be posting here will divert from the usual 'touristy' themes.

Stairs on the Bridge, Dancalan, Bulusan, 2014
Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Bayugin summer file

Local boys from the village of San Francisco frolic in the refreshing natural pool of Bayugin, May 2014.

I took this photo end of May 2014. After the shoot this photo was relegated to my unused files. 

When I lost my files because of a corrupted memory card, I considered this photo lost but suddenly it reappeared again in a folder among my photo files. Happy to see this again!

I know this kind of visual photo opportunity will never reappear. For one, these local boys will be a year older by next summer.

Photo: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon

An afternoon at the fortress

Photos show some students I chanced upon near the belfry while waiting for visitors of the Punta Diamante this 14th of August at the parish grounds of St. James the Greater in Bulusan.

The belfry, locals simply call as the kampanaryo, is the most prominent structure of the diamond-shaped Punta Diamante fortress that encloses the church grounds of around 2 hectares.

Related post:

https://bulusanruralvagabond.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/punta-diamante-bulusans-testament-to-a-glorious-past/

Photos: Alma P. Gamil
            Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Carabao ride

Marvin (photo) riding their family'scarabao in the village of Santa Barbara is a veteran carabao shepherd. "He is almost of the same age as our carabao. He literally grew up with the carabao as his playmate that is why the bond between the two is  so strong," says his father.

Marvin giving me some tips on how to easily mount the carabao.

There was a feeling of calmness and relaxation the moment I sat on the 'siya' -- a contraption for carabao riders made of rattan and old banig that serves a cushion.

I waited for her (the carabao is a she) to finish the grazing before roaming around the pili grove. 

Location: Pili grove in Barangay Santa Barbara, Bulusan, Sorsogon

Date: July 12, 2014

Photos by Jomabel Fulo

Santol fruits and the village kids

If you grew up in the countryside or even in the town center of a rural town chances are that you can easily relate to the photo spread. Simple joys can be had easily with the help of santol fruits from a neighbor's backyard (with or without the owner's consent). An afternoon 'party' only kids could easily whip up any moment as seen in this 'santol session' (photos) can happen spontaneously. It does not matter if the fruits are of the sweet or sour variety. A pinch of salt is always ready.

Photos: Alma Gamil
            Barangay Santa Barbara, Bulusan, Sorsogon
            Philippines

Faint rainbow in the horizon

There  is one person I instantly remember whenever I see a faint rainbow. A person who came into my life so sudden it took me by surprise. Gregarious and bubbly with a mix of naughtiness and playfulness, he taught me to experience and feel again a glimpse of my lost youth. Though I know it will just be ephemeral bordering on the surreal,  it was a beautiful vignette.  

Thank you my sweet stranger. Au revoir.

Luha soltero : Flowers for the broken hearted

Luha soltero (translates literally as single man's tears) is the local name of these flowers so said the two elderly women from Odikin (Barangay Santa Barbara, Bulusan) as they name one by one the masitas (ornamental plants) in a village garden. Why so? I asked. "The flowers are for  lovelorn men -- men with broken hearts," related the the two. But when I asked where are the flowers for women with broken hearts. The two seniors looked at me with a smile as if telling me that there is no such flower. We smiled at the thought.

Photos: Alma P. Gamil
            Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Bulusan Holy Week images of 2013

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. To Bulusanons this signals the approaching Holy Week observed with great devotion and religious events. These events are great time for photo shoots for both the locals and visitors.

I am posting some of my Holy Week 2013 photos in anticipation for a new batch of Lent photos in the coming weeks. All photos were taken in Bulusan, Sorsogon,

Photos by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines