Monday, August 12, 2013

Sunday stroll at Saint James the Greater Churchyard's Garden








The garden at the churchyard of Saint James the Greater enclosed by its historic Punta Diamante's thick coral stone wall is always a favorite destination for my photo strolls. Its easy access from my residence around two blocks away is not the main reason why. The real draw is Punta Diamante, the muralla or stone fort. It is a Spanish colonial period fortress and definitely one of the best kept secrets of Bulusan town. The place is even older than the famed Ruins of Barcelona located in the neighboring Barcelona town.


The historic ambiance of the place easily gives a hint that this place has the potential of a tourist spot similar to the 'Father Blanco's Garden' of the historic Intramuros in Manila often featured in magazines and national dailies. 


At present, the Saint James Parish's garden is planted with local ornamental plants that are familiar in the locality. It seems that these are perennially flowering dotting the expanse of the churchyard with colors. With variety of colors and patterns, I can spend hours inside its perimeter without being bored. 

I was not alone though, I spotted two boys playing 'play golf'. No idea though how they were able to have access to a real golf ball and club :) I did not bother to bother them with trivial questions because I was also busy with my shoot.


There are so many endless subjects in the vicinity that I know will register well in photographs. I started with the ornamental flowers and end up taking photos of interesting leaves and wild flowers as well in the sprawling churchyard.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Friday, August 9, 2013

Bulusan flora documentation starts with a modest gallery at PhytoImages


One of the many species of  Pandanaceae family in Bulusan
Bulusan biodiversity is hands down the richest in the Province of Sorsogon. Surprisingly no documentation of its existing flora can be accessed in the web or in any publication. An interview with a leading NGO in the municipality confirmed  this observation.


In this light, I have decided to speed up my gallery of plant photographs from Bulusan, my hometown, with each plant correspondingly identified and curated by PhytoImages' pool of experts.

For those interested to view the gallery, you may visit this page at Phytoimages.

The above photo of a Bulusan pandan species is included in the gallery. More photos are lined up for uploading in the next few days hopefully with the known scientific identification ready.

Photo: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines