ILOCOS NORTE : The heritage of the north

Ilocos is rich in heritage and culture as seen in the old churches and spanish houses that can still be found all over the place.

I went to Ilocos for a photoshoot and i was amazed how picturesque the place is.
From landscape to seascapes and even nightscapesall these are possible in Ilocos.
Vigan itself is an old city yet is also a busy and happening one as it welcomes the changes of time.

Here are a few shots from the trip.

Paoay Church, one of the oldest church in Ilocos that still maintains

its original Baroque architechture.



Kapurpurawan rock formations.


Huge boulders molded by the raging waves and strong winds

adorns this coastline of Kapurpurawan.


Sunset in Pagudpud


A fisherman"s net hanged out to dry



Cape Bejeador's Lighthouse
The design is still very much influenced by Spanish colonial architechture.


The writings on the wall from Marcos Museum





Calle Crisologo
One of the oldest streets in Vigan, the pavement is made from original cobblestones laid by Spanish and Filipino masons during the colonial period.
The houses on this street has maintained it's original Spanish structure one may feel as if it was frozen in time. The cables for electricity are even hidden in order to give the impression that the place is still how it looks like way back during the Spanish era.




Bangui Windmills.
These gigantic wind turbines supplies electriciy to most part of Ilocos.


Interior of St William's Cahedral.
The design and relics are very much influenced by Spanish catholic religion


Kabigan Falls
One of the tourist attraction in Ilocos.


A dip at the clear and a bit cold water will refresh you from the long hike towards this falls.


Ilocos transportation is a mix of modern cars and jeepneys as well as Calesas such as this one.


Pagudpud scenic beach.


St. Williams Cathedral


Sunset at the beach

Holy Grounds

I am always fascinated with churches specially the very old ones. I guess deep within me i still have that thing for my faith.
Perhaps i could trace it from my upbringing or probably from the schools i went to in my youth. Nevertheless it has always been my greatest pleasure to capture the aura and enigma of these holy grounds.

So here are a few mono shots of churches in Camarines Sur plus a couple from Siquijor island.


Church of Bombon in Camarines Sur



Leaning tower of Bombon
This bell tower is slowly sinking because of the soft grounds beneath it.



The Famous Metropolitan Cathedral in Naga City
One of the oldest church in Naga.





Church of Quipayo in Camarines Sur
The white tower on the right is being used every Easter Sunday.
It is localy called "tuntunan" where little children dress in an angel/cherubin outfits are slowly being lowered to the ground signifying the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.





Church of Sangay, Camarines Sur


This shot was taken inside the church of Manguiring.
The white crosses painted on the pews caught my fancy.


This is the marble altar of Manguiring church.


Church of Manguiring, Camarines Sur.


Just a simple church gate that was illuminated by the afternoon sun creating interesting shadows and patterns.


This one was taken in Siquijor.
Crosses of Lazi church, one of the oldest church in Siquijor.


This one is also from Siquijor.
I forgot the name of this church but this is the first church that you will see upon arriving in Siquijor. It is located just outside the port of Siquijor.

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Originally uploaded by RomulusRueda

buzzing like flies

buzzing like flies
Originally uploaded by RomulusRueda

Capones Island : The lighthouse on the rocks

The Capones lighthouse
This is the famed old lighthouse on top of the highest hill in Capones. The light from this beacon serves as a guiding signal for mariners on the ocean that sails near the island. You will notice that the structure of this lighthouse is quite old, probably built during the Spanish colonial era then underwent many renovations.


The view from the top
One can climb up to the top of the lighthouse to get a spectacular view of the island as well as the ocean.

These rock formations are what will greet you in Capones island.


Upon the shorelines where the rock meets the tides


These small outrigger boats are the usual mode of transport from Pundakit or Anawangin to Capones island. You can expect the waves to be a bit strong as the open sea wind blows with the tides, but then for the seasoned mariner this is just normal but for those who are not so fond with small boats on rocky waters it's an adventure.

The door that leads to the lighthouse

A deadwood on the shoreline




All along the light tower

Ruins

Right now this Parola is in ruins although the tower is fully functional with a solar powered generator keeping the large revolving lights up all night. The lighthouse is being maintaned by the Coast Guard although i did not see one when i went up the tower. It was open to the public and you can even have a picnic among the ruins.



Unfinished
This in an unfinished building in front of the beach at the other side of Capones island.
It is quite weird to see such a structure in an isolated place, but then somehow it gives a little bit of mysticism to the whole personality of the island.

Anawangin : Strange but beautiful

Anawangin cove in Zambales.
This the the place of isolation and serenity.
I went to Anawangin last weekend for a photoshoot get-away and i was awed by the beauty of this place. Tucked between the rugged mountains of Zambales, Anawangin is like an undiscovered paradise, and i hope it will remain that way.


Approaching the shorelines

As the small out-rigger boat which i rode from Pundakit beach to Anawangin approaches the shoreline the first thing that you will notice are the pine trees that adorns the place. It was quite unusual because i am used to palm trees or coconut trees that usually grows on sandy beaches, but not in Anawangin.


Campers
You need to bring a tent for an overnight stay in Anawangin.
The place has no resorts or comfortable ammenities, just the basics of life ; a place for fix your tent to rest your weary body, an outhouse for the loo, a manual water pump for bath water and the stars to illuminate you at night.


Luscious pine trees in towering heights


As the sun rolls behind the earth and the clock is finally dead





Beautiful Anawangin sunsets


The deadwood on top of the hill



The beach as the wave embraces the sand

As i strolled the beach front i can hear the wind howling as if a strong rain is coming, but i was told by one of the locals that it was just the wind grinding against the leaves of the pine trees. Now that was strange, but beautiful.


Pines along the riverbanks

The terrain on this place is like no other. It's like a wilderness in the tropics. One can sense the feeling of being in Alaska sans the snow. The river just a few meters from the beach is like those rivers in the cold wilderness of foreign places where salmons and grislly bears usually habitates, only that in Anawangin the river was quiet. It was actualy serene that one can fall asleep on the sandy river banks, just lying on the sand thinking about nothing. I did that and it was splendid.

At night on a clear moonlit sky the canopy of stars are overwhelming. It's been years since the last time i star gazed and out there the constellations are very visible i even caught a shooting star. I felt like a kid again making a quick wish as the shooting star breezes through the sky so swift it was gone as fast as it appeared.






There is no place like this.
The sand is fine, the water is crystal clear and the landscape is very beautiful.
It is a photographer's paradise.

Bantayan (Children of the sea in monochrome)

These shots were taken while i was in Bantayan Island in Cebu.
I specially like these photos, it makes me smile.

I think each one of us is a kid at heart just wanting to get out.













Work like you don't need the money
Laugh like your life depended on it
Dance like no one is watching
Live the life!