Bulusan in black and white

Seascape, Mabuhay, Bulusan

Seascape, Dancalan, Bulusan

Seascape, Sabang, Bulusan

Seascape, Riroan, Bulusan

Bulusan Volcano viewed from Dancalan, Bulusan

Photos: Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Bulusan Lake sans the colored boats

In my recent visit (August 8, 2014) to Bulusan Lake, I challenged myself to compose a shot of Bulusan Lake without the ubiquitous colored boats. This is to veer away from the too cliched photos coming out in various tourist promotions about the lake with the colored boats prominently displayed on its serene waters.

Focusing on the natural beauty of the lake and its surroundings without the artificial trappings -- this was my mental guide as I walk slowly along the trail around the lake to find the spot. 

The above photo is the resulting image. Bulusan Lake photographs itself literally. A beauty.

Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Location: Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, Bulusan, Sorsogon

               Philippines

Raw snippets of the July 12 supermoon in Bulusan

Despite the limited zoom  of  my camera, I have finally captured the July 12 full moon after a series of failed attempts of shooting the full moon for the past several months this year. Said to be a supermoon plus the clear weather these coincidences on the exact day of the full moon made me feel extra lucky.

I have however 2 more supermoons to look forward to this year -- on August 11 and September 9. I hope by this time my zoom power will be powerful enough for closer shots.

All of the above photos were taken at the serene ambiance of Villa Luisa Celeste Resort in Bulusan, Sorsogon on July 12, 2014.

Photos: Alma P. Gamil
            Bulusan, Sorsogon

Community Portraits

Memorable summer for these young locals enjoying cozy afternoon moments at the beach, Dancalan, Bulusan, 2013.

Drawing sand graffiti is playtime for kids at the seawall, Barangay Dapdap, Bulusan, 2013.

Candelaria celebration in Bulusan,  Feburary 2014.

Guest bikers wait for the go signal at the start of the Bulusan Mountain Bike Challenge  2013.

Happy hat weavers of Barangay Mabuhay in Bulusan, 2013.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Saint James the Greater other image

Saint James the Greater, Apostle at the Bulusan  fiesta vesperas procession, July 24, 2013.

"He was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles, given the mission to proclaim the good news, and authority to heal and cast out demons. To be named one of the twelve James must have had faith and commitment.

But even among the apostles he held a special place. WhenJesus raised Jairus' daughter when all thought her dead, he only allowed James, John, and Peter to come with him. Even more important when he went up to the mountain to pray, he wanted James, John, and Peter to go with him. And it was there on the mountain they were privileged to witness what no one else had seen -- Jesus transfigured in his glory, speaking to Moses and Elijah, as the voice of God spoke from a cloud.

And with Simon Peter, James and John were the only ones of the apostles that Jesus gave a special name: Sons of Thunder." Source: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=59                             

Note: The image of Saint James the Greater Apostle ( above photo) is presently under the care of Dr. Oscar Halum and family of Bulusan, Sorsogon.

Photo: Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Bulusan's Heritage Trees

Pili trees in Odikin rule the village landscape.

Bulusan EcoTrail Run Year Three

Only on its third year and the result is outstanding in terms of overall performance. The positive impact of the Bulusan ecotrail run to the ecotourism direction of Bulusan town is one of the legacies the outgoing administration can be proud of. This is an objective assessment as shown in the reception and acceptability of the activity  to the local residents. The overwhelming support especially from the students and youth sector is so high. Ms Earth beauties gracing the event also adds up to up-scaling of this year's ecotrail run to have that look of a national event - a yearly ecotourism calendar date for Bulusan. Definitely not just a parochial community affair.

However I was not able to push my way inside the thick crowd during the fun run time of the guest beauties wearing the Bulusan ecotrail run uniform. This enabled me to focus my attention to my town mates instead whose enthusiasm and excitement rubbed on me that  day. Fun filled energy was so contagious.

In my photos, the real stars of the ecotrail run were the local runners, the interesting array of local participants, the kids all ready to run in complete running attire, the drummer boys/girls,  the medal girls attending to the details of giving away medals to the 'finisher' etcetera etcetera. And oh...don't worry about the photos of the Ms Earth beauties. There are already some posted in the FB sites of my town mates as of this hour :)

All revved up for the event

The kids in complete running uniform

Mayor Myke Guysayko (extreme left in the photo) leading the event - an eventful and bittersweet exit as outgoing executive of Bulusan town  for a new term in the Provincial Sanggunian Board.

Eye-catcher in orange hair

Bright future for Bulusan kids in ecotourism

Starting point ready to record up to the last seconds

Yes, the Ms. Earth beauties were here!

Attention to details include these too!

A 'finisher' receiving the green medal

Eager local press from Bulusan High School

A camera man from the ABS-CBN Bicol records the event.

Winner for the 3km category

Another 'finisher'

June 12 is Independence Day.

Bulusan beauties as medal girls

A finisher for the orange category

...for the yellow category

A street view of the start and finish lines of the running stretch

Bulusan's internet connection is quite strong

A deserved medal for a prepared runner

A refreshing finish

Photos: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Young boy and the sea

 It took only a few minutes for this boy to enjoy the sea from a tentative to a let-go stance. Photos were taken in Dancalan beach now a favorite family picnic site by the local residents and those from the neighboring towns as well.

Dancalan Beach, June 4, 2013

Photos:  Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Agoho and Bulusan Volcano

"The mountain agoho (Casuarina rumphiana), which is known to have a very limited distribution in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, inhabits this protected area," reads part of the assessment report re BVNP of the team of Errol Gatumbato a noted environmentalist in the Philippines.  By protected area, this refers to  BVNP, Bulusan Volcano Natural Park located in the composite mountains of Bulusan Volcano (above and below photos). 
Some of these trees found its way in the lower areas of Bulusan comprising the residential areas. I have seen one big agoho at the churchyard and several at the cottage  grounds of Dancalan beach where this photo was taken.  The dangling leaves that fringe the upper  frame of the above photo are from an old agoho tree standing beside the open cottages in Dancalan beach. The electric wires along the road  run across the photo from this vantage point.

Bulusan Volcano (composite mountains) as it appears on a cloudless day, May 26, 2013.

Photos: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Enchanted and enchanting Miligabiga

Miligabiga beach of Bulusan, Sorsogon. Prepare yourself to be enchanted literally.

Miligabiga is a photographer's delight not only because its beauty is magnetic but because you can only savor this breathtaking seascape after passing through a series of beaches with varied traits of its own. Traversing this seemingly long stretch of kaleidoscope beaches is like undergoing a mini fairy tale story of finding the coveted treasure at the end of the journey.

Getting there (to Miligabiga beach) one will pass through to a long stretch of around four kinds of beaches : black sand, pebble beach, rock beach and finally the cream grey hue of the fine sand of Miligabiga. The boundaries of the beaches are delineated by the kind of beach description it has. For example the rock and pebbled beach is Riroan beach, the black sand beach is Katorse Puno while the final beach at the far end is Miligabiga.

Miligabiga is a seascape that will hold you by the edge of your senses. It is a visual feast alright but the sound of the ocean also vies for attention. The acoustic ecology here is just awesome. You can feel that the ocean is alive and intense even on a calm day with its oceanic wailings and breathing that reverberates infinitely in the entire seascape. The waves too are always dancing passionately inviting the most adventurous of surfers. The fear factor though of not going back safely to shore was on my mind. Not for beginners I said to myself while observing the series of waves with full bodied crest crashing on the edge of the beach and back again to the deep blue.

Miligabiga is at the far end of the sea coast of Barangay Mabuhay bordering Barangay San Bernardo of the Municipality of Bulusan. The vast Pacific Ocean provides an awesome backdrop to the picturesque seascape.

Photo and Video by Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan, Sorsogon 

Philippines