PhotoHunt: PUBLIC

The Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is about two kilometers of rough roads away from the main national highway in Burgos town, Ilocos Norte. Without a very basic signboard, you'd miss the entrance to this amazing wonder of nature. When we visited last May, a typhoon was just on its way out of the western seaboard of the Philippines, thus huge meters high waves were licking the distant but distinct white rock formation.

Save for a small shack which serves as the shelter of the lone tourism officer cum photographer cum security guard and a couple of warnings against gathering mangrove trees, the areas around Kapurpurawan is almost devoid of any sign of humanity. If I had my way, I choose for it to remain as such.

Burgos, Ilocos Norte, May 2011, using a digicam.

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PhotoHunt: COVERED

Water and lights bathe this ornate fountain at the plaza in front of the provincial capitol of Ilocos Norte. During the day, it's hardly noticeable but at night, that it's a thing of beauty is just an understatement.

Laoag City, May 2011, using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: GINHAWA (Comfort)

Labinlimang higanteng mistulang bentilador ang kasalukuyang nakatindig bilang bantay sa baybayin ng Bangui, Ilocos Norte. Ang mga toreng ito- bawat isa ay katumbas ng gusaling may 23 palapag- ay sama-samang nagbibigay ng 7 megawatt ng kuryente sa lalawigan o katumbas ng 40% ng kanilang pangangailangang enerhiya. Bukod sa kanilang malaking ambag sa elektrisidad ng Ilocos Norte, sila mismo ay talaga namang kagila-gilalas na tanawin. Sadyang dapat dayuhin, kahit may Bagyong Chedeng na nagpapatindi sa alon at papawirin.

GINHAWA = COMFORT

Fifteen giants stand guard along the shores of Bangui in Ilocos Norte province. These towering turbines- each about 23 storeys tall- collectively contribute 7 megawatts of power to the province- 40% of their entire electricity needs. Aside from their massive contribution to industry, they themselves are a sight to behold- worth enduring the wrath of Typhoon Chedeng, rough seas, dark skies and all.

at the Bangui wind farm, Bangui, Ilocos Norte, May 2011 using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: MAPANGLAW (Melancholic)

Nang makita ko ang larawan nito sa hotel na aming tinuluyan sa isang training sa Laoag City, sinabi ko talaga sa aking sarili na kailangan ko itong makita. Mayroon akong kakaibang interes sa mga parola. Sinikap naming isingit sa paspas naming pananatili sa Ilocos ang pagsaglit rito.

Sa malayo pa lamang, mapapansin na agad ang tikas ng parola ng Cape Bojeador sa Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Nang mapuntahan namin ang parola at nakita nang malapitan, higit na maganda ito kaysa larawan. Yun nga lang, may lambong ng lungkot sa lugar. Marahil dahil sa ang ilang bahagi nito ay hindi na singlinis o sing-kaaya-aya tingnan. Marahil dahil sa mga malulungkot na kuwento ng ikatlong henerasyon nang tagapangasiwa ng parola, hinggil sa pulitika na kumakalawang rito. Hindi rin nakatutulong ang pagdaplis ng bagyong Chedeng nang panahong iyon sa hilagang Luzon. Basta.

Sa harap nito, patuloy na nagsisilbing gabay ang parola sa mga bumabaybay sa karagatang dumadampi sa baybayin ng Ilocos. May liwanag na maaaninag sa gitna ng kakaibang kapanglawan ng kapalaran ng parola.

MAPANGLAW = MELANCHOLIC

When I saw its picture hanging along the corridor of the hotel I was staying in for a training in Laoag City, I told myself that through whatever means, I HAVE to visit that lighthouse. I did manage to slip the visit into my schedule for which I was thrilled tremendously.

From afar, the majesty of the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos town, Ilocos Norte province is beyond noticeable. It is so much more beautiful up close versus the framed photos in the hotel. However, I can't quite put my finger on this... cloak... of heaviness that surrounds the area. Perhaps it's because the lighthouse and its surrounding environs are not in the pink of health, so to speak, having fallen into some disrepair as of late. Perhaps it's because of the not-so-nice stories the third generation lighthouse keeper couldn't help divulge to us as regards the intrusion of politics in the operation of the lighthouse. Or perhaps the gray clouds are just brought into the area by the tropical cyclone which was passing nearby. Perhaps...

But in the face of all this, the lighthouse continues to be a beacon of safety, guiding ships as they skim the shores off Ilocos. The light continues to shine through the haze and muck of life.

Lighthouse at Cape Bojeador, municipality of Burgos, May 2011, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: LOOKING DOWN

The window of the erstwhile office of the Cape Bojeador lighthouse operator overlooks the billowing waves from the Luzon Sea, licking the windswept cliffs of Burgos town below.

the lighthouse at Cape Bojeador, Burgos town, Ilocos Norte province, May 2011, using a digicam.