A Blessing Poem for My New Year

may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

-- from Echoes of Memory, by John O'Donohue

Photo: Pamughaton.net
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Meditation for the New Year

The Inner History of a Day
By John O'Donohue(1954 - 2008)

No one knew the name of this day;Born quietly from deepest night,It hid its face in light,Demanded nothing for itself,Opened out to offer each of usA field of brightness that traveled ahead,Providing in time, ground to hold our footstepsAnd the light of thought to show the way.The mind of the day draws no attention;It dwells within the silence with eleganceTo create a space for all our words,Drawing us to listen inward and outward.We seldom notice how each day is a holy placeWhere the eucharist of the ordinary happens,Transforming our broken fragmentsInto an eternal continuity that keeps us.Somewhere in us a dignity presidesThat is more gracious than the smallnessThat fuels us with fear and force,A dignity that trusts the form a day takes.So at the end of this day, we give thanksFor
being betrothed to the unknownAnd for the secret workThrough which the mind of the dayAnd wisdom of the soul become one.

-- from To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, by John O'Donohue



Photo: Pamughaton.net
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Karagumoy accent for Bulusan's Belen

There is no doubt that karagumoy runs across the gamut of Bulusan's rural life for centuries. From mats to hats to bay-ongs (bags/baskets) karagumoy rules. Karagumoy hat making is in fact one of the major and the most widely spread occupations in Bulusan next to fishing and farming. It is a big part in the town's cultural heritage as documented in several articles in http://pamughaton.wordpress.com/ a purely Bulusanon website.


Karagumoy hats could be seen  all over Bulusan town on a sunny day. Hundreds of it drying under the sun by the roads, backyards of rural homes and even along the beaches of coastal villages.


However, it is only this Christmas of 2012 that a karagumoy hat and a banig (mat) provided a distinctly Bulusanon touch to the image of the Nativity (Belen). "The nipa hut concept of the Nativity is already a very common theme," says Father Fulay. "We wanted to make it more unique and typical of the place--what is identifiable to Bulusan." he adds during my afternoon visit to his parish to personally document the setting-up of the indigenous Nativity tableau.


Father Edu Fulay is the present Saint James the Greater Parish Priest. He suggested to his parishioners to utilize indigenous materials and crafts for this year's Belen to highlight what is distinctly Bulusanon. The design concept is his he added when asked about who did the design of the one-of-a-kind Belen.



Photos:  Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Pastora: Vivid and Colorful Bulusan Christmas Memory

Pastora: Bulusan's Pastores de Belen

Pastora of Bulusan cuts a very striking image among Christmas traditions in town not only because of the colorful attire of the performers, the catchy Spanish lyrics of the song and dance repertoire but for most of Bulusanon the images of pastora are embedded in their childhood memories for both the performers and the audience alike.

Pink rules for this pastora (2009).

I for one was an avid member of the audience when I was young. The vividness of my memory goes at length to the minute details that include the dainty fans of the girls, the style of the crepe paper that fringes the hats, the colorful ruffled dresses (pink was the favorite color), the faux metallic shiny belts, the red color of the cheeks the color of papel de Japon are as clear today as it was 40 years ago. I t does not matter if later on I was able to connect that the traditional act of the pastora is in fact strongly influenced by Mexico another Spanish colony during the colonial period. For most of us it was an embodiment of fun in the spirit of the Christmas season that even the heart of a Christmas scrooge will surely melt as soon as these children start singing and dancing in front of his/her abode. It is customarily done that these Pastora be given tokens and gifts usually in cash form after each performance.

A house to house song and dance number with almost the same repertoire surprisingly seemed to be always fresh for me then. It was never tiring to hear and watch the same song and dance again and again.

Photo: Pamughaton.net

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Christmas past with Mistisa

 

 

Mistisa

Mistisa wearing a buri Christmas hat from Bulusan provided a comforting and holiday feel to a time when things were not going so well. Photo was taken around year 2007 in Sorsogon.

He (Mistisa is a male) was eventually adopted by a neighbor when an urgent filial duty called and I have to make some changes in my life. I am now back to my hometown Bulusan by circumstance and by choice.

Thank you Mistisa for being patient, kind and forgiving.

Merry Christmas!

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Kapayas is Bulusan's Papaya

I am not going to be technical today. No scientific names. Besides it is easy to do that. Just go to the List of Philippine plants (StuartXchange site is recommended). I intend to share my view on the physical beauty of the Papaya known in Bulusan as K-a-p-a-y-a-s. 

First, look at the pattern. She (this is a female papaya) is so symmetrical with the necessary edging. The stalks and her leaves are like green umbrellas reaching out for the sun's rays instead of shying away from it. The spaces between the slender stalks create a beautiful pattern of rays resembling clusters of umbrellas arranged radially.

Second, the fruits--drooping like multiple elongated breasts infinitely growing from her top body. The green color does not hide the fact that week after week this unassuming kapayas at our backyard will deliver  luscious sweet fleshy fruits not from her nipple but the whole of it. A feat considering that she does not require much care. In fact none at all.

Our backyard kapayas is very prolific. The harvested fruits go directly to the table. I almost forgot to mention the color. The fleshy fruit's color is the color of peach and melon. A sure invitation to partake her.

Please be sure to spread her seeds after every luscious moment with your papaya. Throwing back the seeds at your backyard is not a bad idea. Two or three of those will become another source of your papaya table fare.

And this does not include those kapayas that accompanied our native chicken for 'Linumpan na manok' a dish with papaya and coconut milk the recipe of which is shared by pamughaton.net.

'Linumpan na manok' is another Bulusan's culinary favorite.



Photographs by Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

A Brahminy Kite visits me in Bulusan, or so I thought

A Brahminy kite in flight. (photo credit: Wikimedia.org)

It was a clear day. The whole view of the dome-shaped peak of Mt Bulusan was unobstructed from my azotea vantage point. It was like a giant panoramic screen laid out for my eyes' feast that morning. I knew that day was extra special when I saw a lone Brahminy kite in the mood of showing off his flying prowess as if telling me and reminding me again that life is a celebration despite and in spite of being alone.

Dive. Soar. Glide. He eloquently relayed the message.

It was a joy to behold with the magnificent volcano as backdrop. I remained mesmerized that morning and just stood there in silence and awe.

This scene reminds me of the lines from a book I used to read when I was twenty-three. It was compelling then.  But more so now with added depth  after  thirty years of gathering wisdom along my path. It still holds me breathless:

                

The conditions of a solitary bird are five:

The first, that it flies to the highest point;

the second, that it does not suffer for company,

     not even of its own kind;

the third, that it aims its beak to the skies;

the fourth, that it does not have a definite color;

the fifth, that it sings very softly.

      - San Juan de la Cruz, Dichos de Luz y Amor (from the book'Tales of Power',Carlos Castaneda)



Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Lumot from Porog: Marine algae lure for Turos, a Bulusan ziganid species

Lumot (a species of Bulusan algae from Porog's seacoast used as paon or fish lure by local parabobo (fishermen skilled in the bobo fishtrap fishing)

Sack full of lumot to be hauled offshore for this afternoon fishing shift is just enough for the day's fishing chore

Texture of the lumot is soft with cottony fibers

Walking along the beach of Dancalan, a fisherman friend of Inggo about to start an afternoon fishing shift stopped by and showed me a kind of marine algae used as 'paon' (lure). Clutching a handful of the greens, he explained that these specific variety of marine algae are the most effective fish lure for the 'turos' (ziganid fish species) that they meticulously arrange inside their bobo fish traps. The two fishermen related that from their own experience and by closely following the practice of several generations of parabobo these are the best fish lure so far.

The parabobo are local fishermen skilled in fish trap fishing using the bobo a locally made fish trap made of bamban a local wildcrafted plant.

"These are the turos favorite meal but we have to gather these 'lumot' (a kind of green algae) growing along the seacoast of Porog the next fishing ground a kilometer away from here," Inggo explained. These lumot are the only kind that these fishes prefer. It seems that these turos and related species can't resist these lumot meal his companion added picking another  handful to clearly make his point.

The  lumot is soft to the touch and looks like green cotton fibers. The green hue is brighter than the usual greens present in their fishing area. It becomes almost neon green when submerged to the sea waters. The brownish neutral color of the bobo fish trap highlights the impressive green hue.

Picking and selecting the kind of algae the fish prefers as  I knew it is a marine biologist field but a talk with these veteran artisanal village fisherfolks made me realized that these local fishermen are in fact marine biologists themselves with their keen observant nature on the local marine life.

The turos fish 'kosido' happens to be my favorite dish. It is a recipe done simply with fresh turos stewed quickly in a boiling pot of tomatoes, pepper and onions.

A tip in making the 'kosido': overdone kosido is no good. It ruins the texture of the fish. Remove the kettle from the fire as soon as the first boil appears if you are using a wood fired stove. Put the fire off at once (if you are using a modern kitchen stove) as soon as it boils.

Enjoy your 'kosido na turos' while it is still hot.

 
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Sadok

The son of the handicrafts store owner in Gubat town gamely volunteers to model the sadok for  me in this photo

The handicraft store near the Bulusan jeepney stop in Gubat  is selling this updated version of the traditional sadok. The 'tindero' (salesclerk) calls it as the 'sadok na may payong' (sadok with an umbrella) because of the recycled umbrella fabric over the anahaw top.

The sadok is a rain and sun protection still widely used by Bulusan rural folks traditionally made from anahaw with bamboo framing underneath fastened by nito.

Bulusan sadok crafstmen are vanishing. As of my latest search I have yet to find a living sadok maker in Bulusan still engaged in the craft.



Gubat, Sorsogon, Philippines

Greek Oregano: Pasta Dishes from Good to Wow!

 

Greek Oregano is a prolific grower. Sun loving and can even grow in a hanging pot beside your banggerahan (open kitchen sink in philippine rural houses).

Put a dash of fresh Greek oregano leaves in your usual spaghetti sauce and let your guests left wondering why your spaghetti is so deliciously different from theirs. This is gourmet pasta right at your kitchen.

Best for most tomato dishes too!

 

Grow your pasta secret in a pot near your kitchen. Or better in a sunny spot of your banggerahan in a pot hanging in its bamboo slats for accessibility while cooking. Mine is planted in a recycled 'kaserola' shown in the photo.

In case you are wondering where I sourced my Greek culinary oregano. You may visit this gardener's store or visit this web site: Thyme Square by GreenHearts, Inc. www.greenhearts.com/

How to get the pili kernels out of the hard shell?

Photo: http://pamughaton.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/parabuong/
Paratilad in Bulusan doing the deshelling job for a local pili nut trader in Poblacion Central 

'Lagting' is the local term for the pili sans the pulp. After 2 to 3 days of sun drying these pili seeds (stones in botanical parlance) can last for more than a year in storage. The precious kernels will remain protected by the stony hard shell during this period with the right amount of sun drying done. During this stage the kernels inside the hard shell shrink a little ('reseko') due to moisture loss allowing it to naturally detach from the shell while still inside the shell thus saving a lot of effort in retrieving the kernels for the next process.

A closer look of the 'lagting'

The next process will be the manual deshelling or 'pagtilad'. Most often the schedule of this post production process depends solely on the pili traders who usually follow the dictates of the market's most profitable time to sell the pili kernels locally known as 'ilog'.

The 'paratilad' or skilled pili nut sheller of Bulusan can open the shell in a split second separating the kernel whole and the shell cut into two perfect cone shaped half shells called binung-an. The kernels fall out automatically in the process unharmed.The technique lies in the positioning and angle of the bolo (shown in the above photo of a paratilad second from right) and the precise hitting of the shell. The paratilad knows this technique almost intuitively.

In the province of Sorsogon, it is commonly observed in the pili confectionery industry that the paratilad either came  from the district of Bacon or from Bulusan town.  Those from Bulusan are probably a lot since any day of the year the paratilad are always available for the  job.

Bulusan pili nuts are known to be stout with larger kernels

One anecdote from a local resident tells a story on how a local paratilad beat the pili deshelling  machine of  a government agency during a dry run test in a bid to mechanize the system. Hands down the winner was the paratilad the resident related with a big guffaw. No breaking news about that machine test incident in Bulusan  though it became a favorite pili industry story. The paratilad beating the machine* clearly demonstrates how an indigenous skill of 'pagtilad' is truly an indispensable factor in the pili industry as a whole. To this day the traders still rely on the paratilad for their deshelling process. Pagtilad is in fact an indigenous livelihood synonymous with the pili nut. Each paratilad could easily retrieve pili kernels from 2 sacks of pili nuts or 'lagting' in a day.  An average of 100 kilograms of pili nuts de-shelled in a day by one paratilad is a conservative estimate.
  

Pili nuts spread evenly for uniform drying 

Roam around Bulusan town and check for an on-going 'tiriladan' acitivity in a pili trader's bodega, you might be lucky to chance upon these skilled paratilad making precise mini samurai strokes on the pili shells quietly seated on the floor with only a tuktukan (a wooden hard board) so as to perfectly position the lagting and a dependable bolo as tools of their trade.It is fascinating to watch the pili kernels fall off from the half cone-shaped binung-an in perfect rhythm to the sound of the lagting deshelled one pili nut at a time.   


The post production process of 'pagtilad' is probably as old as the utilization of the pili nut itself. The traditional skill could only arise from the pili growing areas like Bulusan. It will not be a surprise if the local paratilad will service also emerging pili nut areas with cultivated pili crop.

Pili nut sun drying on the street in Poblacion Central (Photo: Alma P. Gamil)

 *Note: According to Trade Winds Bicol, a DTI 5 Quarterly publication the "Pili deshelling machines are not quite successful as they do crush the extremely hard, bony shell, but unfortunately tend to crush the precious kernel as well, in statistics too high for commercial viability. "


Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Tangkwa: Philippine native gourd in Bulusan's heritage recipe

Tangkwa from my garden temporarily functions as a living room accent while waiting for my non-busy days to turn the gourd into a dessert using a Bulusan recipe with pili and lemon de china.

The local "tangkwa" is a fruit in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae family), a herbaceous tendril-bearing vine that includes the cucumber, melon, squash, and pumpkin.

Grown in the backyard garden of rural homes in the Philippines including Bulusan it is the main ingredient in a local dessert with pili nuts in marmalade-sugar mix accented by lemon de china.

This recipe can be considered a heritage recipe in this noted pili-riched town for this used to be a regular and popular dessert during fiestas in Bulusan. However this is seldom prepared now. The fruit brings memories of Lola Ingga and Lola Datay serving their guests with this well-loved 'dulsi na tangkwa' in my father's ancestral home in Poblacion Sabang in Bulusan.

Detailed instructions of this Bulusan heritage recipe of  Dulsi na Tangkwa (Sweetened Tangkwa) is documented excellently in a  Bulusanon web site :pamughaton.net


Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Kalunggay: Moringa oleifera a.k.a. Malunggay

I personally tested the oft-reproduced characterization made many years ago by the Trees for Life organization, that "ounce-for-ounce, Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas," and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs.

This is good news for many of us who do not have the capacity to buy the foods mentioned as comparison. Malunggay locally known as Kalunggay in Bulusan  is multivitamins available for free usually  from a neighbor's fence. But we did plant our own sustainable supply at the back of our house.

Easy to grow. Just ask from your neighbor a wrist-sized branch of Kalunggay and let it stand for a while in a sunny nook in your yard. When the shoots are starting to show in the standing branch, this is the right time to  plant. Be sure to pick a sunny spot in your garden or fence that is open to the sun the whole day.

That is my technique. Others plant the freshly cut branch  right at once. I tried this too with the same success.
Most important factor is the sun. These plants are sun loving and like to grow on their own after planting. No need to water. Natural rainfall is enough for them.

For an authentic Bulusan recipe of Kinunot using Kalunggay as vegetable you may visit this site :
pamughaton.net

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Tuob as Indigenous Knowledge: Aligning with the Elements of Nature

As an apprentice for the bobo maker I listened to every word he says. After the weaving sessions that took around several days of 'chop-chop' (segmented) demonstration of  'bobo' weaving steps, Inggo, explained that the process of integrating the object to the sea has in fact not yet commenced.

"This is my old bobo and this one (lifting the other bobo)is the newly woven one. I cannot just immerse this new bobo fish trap into the sea. I have to follow my accustomed rituals as taught to me by an old parabolong (medicine man cum village shaman).

The same items used for the traditional tuob as commonly practiced, the 'kamanyang', 'oliva' palm leaves from the recent 'hosana' are to be utilized in the tuob ritual. The additional material and the most important in this particular tuob specifically done for my bobo fish traps are the pieces of pandan leaves gathered near the shore as the final ingredient in the 'tuob' explained Inggo. The numbers must be in the odd number never in the even. 3, 5 and 7 are odd numbers.

Tuob is a ritual of cleansing and blessing at the same time. It bestows the object a sense of invulnerability to bad luck and to shoo away unfriendly spirits that will cause it to not function properly in the tasks ahead. It aligns it to the good elements of nature and attracts the good chi and thus more fishes will lend itself to be caught in it. This is in sum the purpose of the ritual the way I understood  Inggo.

"I prepare these items when everyone is asleep and I see to it that there are no people in my route to the sea so as the remaining embers of  the tuob materials will be able to float freely to the sea unencumbered free from the prying eyes of curious onlookers. In a 'bagol' (half coconut shell) the materials are earlier made into a fire to produce the thick smoke so important for the tuob process. The smoke must bathe the newly woven bobo fish trap entirely for several minutes.

After the ritual, the remaining embers are brought to sea as quickly and secretly as possible to be floated unto the vast unending sea inside the same 'bagol' used in the tuob.. This I believe is a symbolic act that pays homage to the spirits of the sea.

"One must not look back after the tuob's remaining glowing fragment is set to float to the sea. You must go back as quickly as possible leaving the embers in the half coconut shell floating to the vastness of the ocean with its remaining smoke finally extinguished by the ocean breeze."


Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Optical Phenomena in Magical Mount Bulusan

Photo: realrica.com

Spectacular solar optic effects at the gaping mouth of Bulusan Volcano! Marvelous nature show.

A fog bow, solar glory, Brocken Spectre 3-in-1 phenomena caught in this one of a kind photograph by the team of Pinoy mountaineers with celebrity climber Ms Rica Peralejo last June 24 of this year.

These are actually three distinct phenomena : The fog bow appears here as a 360 degree white rainbow. The solar glory is a band of colored rings at the inner rim surrounding the shadowy  figure technically known as the Brocken Spectre at the center.

This seemingly supernatural optical phenomenon is rare. One must be at the right location at the right time with the right conditions to produce this atmospheric optical effects. The mountaineers were a lucky bunch to be present on the right spot at the right moment when the crater center was at the perfect moment for this nature spectacle to happen.

The mist of fog or cloud is needed to be at the center of the crater first and foremost. This will serve as the ‘screen’  (as in a movie) for the shadow of the observer standing near the rim of the crater. The sun must be at the back  just like a projector to the observer in whose shadow will be then projected at the thick fog located exactly at the mouth of the volcano.

The effect is optical magic. A marvelous  nature show. Colored rings known as solar glory appears around the head of the Brocken Spectre not unlike colored band of halos. It surely looks like a spiritual apparition for those not familiar with this rare nature phenomenon.

Adding up to the magic is the white rainbow commonly referred to as the fog bow forming the larger circumference--a  giant circular host-like apparition. It is as if the volcano’s crater is about to swallow a gigantic host from heaven.

Solar glories are formed by diffraction where light waves are scattered into a ring-like pattern as differentiated to a regular rainbow that usually appears as a colored arc in the sky which is formed by refraction and reflection. In this photo the glory forms inside the inner rings just above the head of the Brocken  Spectre. 

Do not be alarmed. The Brocken Specter is not a dark ghostly apparition. It is merely an elongated shadow casts into the clouds--the shadow of the observer and most of the time --the photographer/climber. The clouds and fog sort of distort the human shadow as it moves.

The anti-solar point is the exact spot where the solar glory and the Brocken Spectre appear. It is directly opposite the sun from the observer’s perspective.

This atmospheric spectacle is the first time ever recorded inside the crater of  Bulusan Volcano—probably  the only one of its kind in the world.

Written by: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

On Why MBRLC is on Top of my List as My Most Admired NGO

Photo:MBRLC

It is not only because MBRLC (Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center) was featured in the website of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 2004. It is not also because of its many awards and recognitions:

Awards/Recognitions

*Achievement Award in Technology (1984) from Crop Science Society of the Philippines         

* Ramon Magsaysay Award
(1985) for International Understanding
*DOST-PPM Award in Science and Technology for Private Enterprise (1987) from the Department of Science and Technology
*Presidential Citation (1989) from Her Excellency Madame Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino
*World Food Day Silver Medal (1991) from the regional office of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
*Regional Likas Yaman Award (1997) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resource

It is mainly because it has given us the hope that abundance is within reach to us ordinary farmers living in the countryside.

By giving us a workable template for appropriate farm technologies and sustainable farming systems that  they themselves are using in their day to day needs, the doubts and fears of our own capabilities somehow lessens.

I t is worth noting that  they only teach what they practice--only technologies tested with recorded success are taught in their own farm classes. The teachers are all practising farmers around the NGO site complex.

Most notable is their version of FAITH (Faith Always in the Home) which when applied by an ordinary farmer with a meager 100 sq meters of  farm lot will secure food on the table for a family of six. This alone addresses the fundamental question of hunger- the most immediate issue and primal fear of anyone who depends on the natural elements (weather fluctuations included)  for food and day to day needs.

The rest of the modules of technology are all worth replicating SALT I, SALT 2 and many more which were all tried and tested with time. Luckily for us, these modules are already available on line for the use of anyone interested to test the method in his/her own small farm.

With the access of these farm technologies and techniques from MBRLC, a farmer will carry within himself an added confidence in his work. And will bring a brighter outlook and hope for every farmer tilling the land knowing that his work is based on a method tested by time and actual practice.

The useful and practical information on farming sytems being shared by the MBRLC were designed specifically for the small farm family.

by: Alma P. Gamil, Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines 

references:

MBRLC Profile

www2.mozcom.com/~mbrlc/profile.htm

Religion-Christianity-EP-Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC)

fore.research.yale.edu/religion/christianity/.../mindanao.html

Magical Mount Bulusan: Ms Rica and the white rainbow

Magical Mount Bulusan. This is not a cliche. This is real.

I saw the magic unravel in the photos of Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio and her fellow trekkers.

They might not know it but they have stumbled upon a very rare phenomenon known as a fog bow during their recent trek to Mount Bulusan.

A fog bow is a 'white rainbow'. White because the colors are so faint it appear whitish. Almost ghostly. But yes the colors are there. And to add to the magic: the white rainbow appeared in a 360 degree form-- meaning a circle. The gaping crater of  Bulusan Volcano appears like in the act of swallowing a  giant Holy host from heaven.

They always say that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But this one is not the end of the rainbow (as the photo shows). This one is right at the HEART of a rainbow with the faintest colors of pink, yellow and blue.

More than a pot of gold I am sure is in there-- though not literally.

Whereas a rainbow is the result of the optical effects caused by  droplets of rain meeting the rays of the sun at a specific angle (42 degrees according to scientific journals), the fog bow on the other hand is caused by a mist of fog smaller than rain droplets not strong enough to reflect and refract colors vivid enough to the eyes. Thus a whitish arc or in this case a circle is formed instead.

The sight is truly magical and almost spiritual. It looks like an apparition of nature.

I have checked the web for similar photos of a crater with a white rainbow but none so far yielded to my virtual search. Arctic white rainbow. Yes, sighted by an expedition team. Golden Gate Bridge white rainbow. Yes, as captured by a photographer. But not this kind of a gaping mouth of a volcano with a giant 'host', the Eucharistic bread from heaven in a suspended  freeze frame waiting to be swallowed by the magnificent Bulusan Volcano from the hands of the  holy sky.

To the trekkers and to the beautiful Ms. Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio:

All I can say is: wish I was there!         (Photos: realrica.com)

For the complete set of photos from Ms Rica Peralejo Bonifacio with the white rainbow: realrica.com

All Saints' Day Photography 101 in Bulusan

The cemetery never fails to yield dramatic photographs. This is true whether in its ordinary desolate days and during All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day celebrated November 1 and 2 when the cemetery is full of life.

For those living in the city a trip back home during these days to visit their loved ones (both the living and the dead) are customary. And the visit to the cemetery is the highlight of the trip.

But for some young ones who tugged along with their moms and dads this can be a boring activity. So a little creativity is needed to inject interest to my nieces for the obligatory visit.

My teenage niece Ging dubbed it as Photography 101, Subject: Todos Los Santos in Bulusan. The younger ones Yapa and cousin Angie acted as the models. Me and Ging as the photographers.

The above photos were some of the captured scenes.



Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Blog about a tourist blog of my hometown Bulusan

Reading the blog of islandgirltraveller.com was a relief from the usual destinations themed blog about my hometown. This blog is about the daily routine of the common folks as she sees it in situ. The pictures were taken from the market, in the streets, common folks doing their daily routine. She captured it as is.

I just hope she was able to visit the usual tourist route and the less known sites too. Because the slow-paced quiet town as she sees it is in fact a keeper of magnificent grand sights such as the volcanic landscapes of Mount Bulusan, the coral-rimmed beaches along her shores, mountain springs  with soda like waters, gushing water falls, moist and foggy rainforest with a lot of surprises, zen like calmness of an emerald lake and so much more.

Thanks for the visit Ms islandgirltraveller.

(You may want to visit islandgirltraveller.com blog entitled The Quiet Town of Bulusan, Sorsogon for her story about my hometown).

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Bulusan's Bamban

Bamban plant in Bulusan

Bambam stems are excellent materials for fish trap weaving.

Beginning weave of a fish trap - in Bulusan.

The ASEAN Tropical Plant Database is very specific in its description of the Philippine bamban (Scientific name: Donax cannaeformis (G. Forst.) K Schum.

Fish traps locally called 'bobo' are made from bamban strips from the split stems of this species sustainably harvested by local  fishermen weavers from the nearby farm patches and second growth forests. These bamban (photo) are lushly growing in the hilly part of Barangay Dancalan, Bulusan.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

A different kind of post

Middle of August this year, I received several missed calls from an unknown number. Curious I texted back by asking who was calling. The reply reads: "I was a friend from way back whom you may have chosen to forget anyway. Just got across your article and fortunately or unfortunately for you, your cp number was there attached. I chose not to keep silent and just say you are doing great!"

I remember this guy I said to myself.This is the same guy who sent me a bunch of roses via a bus liner from his post to my office several miles apart. We at the office then were all surprised when a bus conductor turned flower courier came looking for me with that bunch of roses still fresh and neat despite the long trip. But that was 28 years ago!

Ahhh men. Such sweet creatures!


Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Ilóg is the local term for the pili kernels

The recent low pressure area brought slight winds in Bulusan strong enough for some unripe pili fruits to fall off from some pili tree branches in our nearby farm patch in Kapilihan giving us some crispy fresh nuts to munch on.

These kernels are traditionally not use for the confectionery pili sweets. These are not bought by traders too since pili of this kind cannot last for long periods of storage customarily done in the pili trade.

The colors of unripe fruits of the pili ranges from green to greenish purple the locals call 'bulaga'.  The kernels are best eaten raw.

Bulusanons know by heart the taste of these unripe pili kernels. It is part of their childhood memories where once upon a time pili fruit 'hunting' was part of their childhood adventures.

A chef friend described to me the taste of the unriped pili kernels as having a sweet nutty taste with a dill-like flavor.

I have grown dill before in my garden and can honestly say that the description fits exactly.

For pickles' freaks like me, this is the perfect ingredient!

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Sabang harvests

There is nothing wrong with my camera. The lights did not leak in. It is  the natural color streak of the fish. The others are plain gray.

I chanced upon two basins full of these in Central. All local fish catches from Sabang. Each fish has a local name that the fisherman/vendor enumerated effortlessly while identifying the variety of fish and of course the price.



Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Message in a bottle

The movie "Message in a bottle" was the first thing that entered into my mind when I saw this one (photo) while walking along the beach near the coastal village of Dancalan. I can't exactly remember the story of the movie but I know it has something to do about a letter inside a bottle.

One part of me was telling me to come close to the bottle and check it out. I did not. Not because I was sure that there will be no letter inside it. On the contrary, I already entertained the thought that the letter is really tucked inside the bottle, rolled neatly for me.

What really stopped me on my track was Inggo, the fisherman guide whose puzzled look (possibly figuring out why and what I was staring at the bottle) sort of gave me a wake-up snap from my day dream.

Bulusan Sea Bounty

The ocean is like a mother. It gives everything it can. But presently it  needs our help.  For instance, Bulusan pawikans' (marine turtles) nesting sites are totally annihilated after decades of unabated poaching. Furthermore, the pawikans migrating to forage in Bulusan's offshores most often end up as 'sumsuman' (accompanying food during drinking sprees), a common knowledge among locals. 

Two poachers were reported to be caught last year (2011) and released several months later probably on bail.

Marine turtles are endangered species protected by R.A. 9147 or The Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act  and CITES.

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Kadlum is the high-end Patchouli

Patchouli locally known as kadlum in Bulusan is lushly growing in my azotea potted garden even with  minimal care.

Patchouli or kadlum are prolific growers. It can even grow in recycled milk tin cans as shown in the above photo of my potted garden in my residence's azotea in Bulusan, Sorsogon.

Kadlum internationally known as patchouli is a popular 'dak'dak' or herbal bath fragrance of Bulusan. Its essential oil is one of the most expensive in the world. It is endemic to the Philippines. However, Indonesia is the leading patchouli producer as listed in leading fragrance journals.

Here are some perfumes with patchouli oil in it: Thierry Mugler Angel, Keiko Mecheri Patchoulissme, Molinard Les Scenteurs Patchouli, Azarro Pour Homme, Balenciaga Homme, Caron French Cancan, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, Christian Dior Dune, Christian Dior Miss Dior, Clinique Aromatics Elixir, Givenchy Gentleman, Guerlain L'Instant Por Homme, Yves Saint Laurent Kouros and so much more.

A pioneering patchouli oil producer in Sorsogon is currently selling at Php 3,500.00 per liter (farm gate price)for their farm's  locally distilled patchouli oil. 

In the international market, patchouli oil supply was described by the  Market News Service of 2007 as: "supply remains very restricted, demand has been strong, and prices are very high well above the normal long term trading range."

The Lending Model information System for Small-Scale Enterprise in Indonesia shares this information of their patchouli oil industry: Over 80% of Indonesian Patchouli oil is produced in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra which is mostly exported to industrial countries. Recently, its export-selling price has even reached US$1000/kg in the world market.

It is widely noted in all patchouli literature and references on the net that Pogostemon cablin or locally known as kadlum was bought in from the Philippines to West Sumatra in 1895. It was then cultivated in Aceh and later to Central Java.

Surprisingly, the Philippines to date has no patchouli oil industry, the same with the other essential oils from plants originating from the Philippines. The country's essential oil industry is in fact  tagged as a neglected industry despite its market potential and the available native plant resources.