3/26/08

I almost felt at home when our van pulled up beside the Bolinao Marine Laboratory. I was a biology major back in college at UPLB and my chosen track was zoology. Seeing the set-ups and the labs sent me waxing nostalgic over the amateur hours we poured in as students. Unfortunately there was no one to guide us since the scientists were all in Manila so we weren’t able to fully understand and appreciate the current projects.

The captive raising and breeding of giant clams is one of the flagship projects of the Bolinao Marine Laboratory under the UP Marine Science Institute (MSI). Each giant clam is valued at over P100,000 which is why their sanctuary in the ocean is guarded.

Leia, Ma-ann and Rex look on.

Here are aquariums dedicated for some coral growth experiments. (I think.)

The institute was also responsible for establishing a program that rejuvenated the sea urchin population in the area. Locally, this specie is called “maratangtang” which is an Ilocano word. The locals heat it by burning the spikes off, crack it, slurp its essence and proceed by eating its eggs.

I don’t know what this is. But they just looked like sea weeds dancing to the bubbles.

The other projects I saw dealt with cultivation and culturing of sea cucumbers (which fetches top dollar) and the use of miniature cement structures for corals to grown on for reef restoration and rehabilitation.

We have to thank scientists who devote their lives into the field of marine biology to ensure that our oceans survive well into the future.

From the Bolinao town proper, take a tricycle to “U.P.”

3/26/08

I found this place while we were walking towards a carinderia (sidewalk eatery) where we had our lunch. It was as hole-in-the-wall as it could get and the idea of wedding gowns being peddled on the sidewalk was amusing. This is everyday rural life.

Aside from being the town’s authority for haute couture, the proprietor seems to know a thing or two about the haircutting business.

Post-processed in Adobe Photoshop CS3.

3/25/08

Built in 1609, the St. James Cathedral located right in the heart of the Bolinao town proper , imposingly stands. Made of coral bricks (or blocks), it also doubled as a fort protecting the town from incoming pirates. I’m not really that into churches. I’m rarely inside one.

Here’s one of the angels flanking the main aisle of the church.

And a picture of Leia and Rex shooting side by side.

3/25/08

No. It’s not an attraction in EK. After visiting Patar Beach, Kuya Kolet (our handy driver-slash-tour guide) brought us over to Enchanted Cave. Owned privately, the cave is flanked by gardens and cottages where guests can lounge and have picnics. The entrance to the cave is P20 but if you want to take a dip inside, you’ll have to shell out P30 more for a total of P50.

The cave isn’t really large and is very similar to the Hinagdanan Cave in Panglao Island, Bohol. The water was clearer at Enchanted Cave though.

This one’s for all of you. Off Limit!

Pricing is steep if you ask me.

3/24/08

A day before, Leia, Rex, Ma-ann and I were conferencing at YM trying to finalize a plan for our Pangasinan ocular inspection for Travel Factor. We were only sure of one thing: that we were headed for Pangasinan. Our conference ended with Leia’s instruction to pack our bags.And so I packed my bag and I packed it well. I decided to bring my 60L North Face Badlands since I didn’t want to scrimp on my packing. I brought my 3-person tent, a sleeping bag, clothes good for 4 days, a portable stove, a small pillow, my tripod and of course, my photography gear.

We decided to meet 8PM, Wednesday night at the Victory Liner terminal in Cubao. I knew that that night was the mass exodus of people fleeing Manila to spend the Holy Weekend at the provinces but I didn’t know that they would be so many. I’ve taken buses to La Union in the past, also during the Holy Weekend, but it was manageable. Maybe because it was the first wave and Victory wasn’t prepared yet so we abandoned the idea of riding their Dagupan-bound bus and opted for a private van instead.

Leia, of Travel Factor was tasked to do rounds in Pangasinan in search of a future destination for one of their tours. She asked around and I accepted her invitation instantaneously. I’ve traveled with Ma-ann and Rex before.First stop was at CapeBolinao in Brgy. Patar, Bolinao.

We arrived at the Bolinao before sunset so we had to wait a little while for good light.

After shooting the lighthouse, we went to the nearby beach, Brgy. Patar to check out some resorts and to see the beach.

Although the sand in Bolinao really was white enough, we knew that it could and would get crowded. The best beach front for me was that of Punta Riviera’s since the shore was really long and it wasn’t too rocky. Bolinao’s beaches are generally sprinkled with rocks and sea grass.