ZAMBALES DAY TWO.....

The Place Where We Stayed.....




























Building Sand Structures.....





















The group stayed in Mr. Farin's beach resort, the Sand Valley Beach Resort. The place is filled with antiques, which the former vice mayor inherited from his ancestors. The place though has seen better days. Since I went there as a guest, I am not going to elaborate its flaws like a tourism reviewer does. Rather, I'd like to dwell in its uniqueness. The resort for one seems way out of the way from the town proper. But it has a reason, an airstrip is in front of the resort's compound. From what we gathered through the pictures displayed in the resort, the owner's father (or was it grandfather) used to be a an Air Force pilot and then switched to become a commercial pilot. Perhaps the patriarch used to own a light aircraft that necessitates an airstrip (imagine building a driveway for your garage). Today, a private company uses the airstrip for its flying school business. Too bad we just couldn't find the time to put into use our photo op within the runway, a jump shot of the group with a plane about to take-off as a background!

The second day, we went to the beach side to watch the sand castle making contest. The sand castle makers are still miles away from the talent of those who do the job in Boracay. But such contests should make the locals broaden their creativity more and produce better artworks. The only drawback of covering this event was the sweltering heat of the sun! Bless and I practically covered ourselves in sunblock! We even asked each other about the SPF of our lotions.

In the afternoon, we went to the neighboring town of Botolan and shoot the old churches. It is rather sad to see though how most of the churches seem to sport a modern look which contrasts its old fashion facade. These parish priests must realize that to improve a church is more about the structure itself and the history it contains and not more about themselves and the perceived legacy that they shall leave behind to their parish. An exception though is a shrine that we had trouble locating. It is the Ina ng Poon Bato Shrine. The shrine is made of stones and placed by hand until the structure is formed. Apparently, the builders were locals who formerly lived at the mountainous region of the Cordillera. As we all know, those people in the highlands are known carvers and toolmakers. The structure is a refreshing deviation from the usual architecture of churches here in the country.


The drive going to the shrine was difficult enough for us so we even ask directions on how to get there but the road returning to the resort proved to be more difficult as darkness began to set in. I for one had trouble seeing the surroundings, there wasn't enough streetlights to provide illumination on the road. To Bless' credit, her driving skills are amazing! She can practically remember every nook and cranny that we passed by as we returned to the resort even in the darkness. This is why I always enjoy the trip when she is at the helm of the car.