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