The Red Lions are roaring hot!

Yesterday, the San Beda Red Lions roared in what may have been their loudest and played as if there’s no tomorrow, beating the defending champion Letran Knights in a 57-49 hell of a thriller game, in the jampacked Rizal Memorial Coliseum, sharing the lead with the latter in the first round of this season’s NCAA.

In what seem to be a preview of the finals, the game confirmed the Red Lions’ strong campaign to regain the championship crown which was last won by San Beda in 1978! (Trivia: some players of San Beda of the 1979 NCAA Games gave a prep talk to the present cagers before the game and reminded them of the heartbreaking loss to Letran which could have given them a threepeat!) I was one of thousands of the Red Lions’ supporters cheering “umpa umpa umpa… beda beda beda fight fight fight…mey-u-kim kum kawa! I had to content myself with watching the game on TV because tickets have been sold out days before the scheduled game. Even then, watching it on TV was just as exciting as live, which brought back good memories of the NCAA Games. San Beda never won a championship during my time and everytime our team was losing, our cheers turned to “Pataasan nalang ng tuition fee!” No need for that now especially that the Red Lions are doing perfectly well under coach Koy Banal who also handed FEU Tamaraws one of their championship crowns against La Salle at the UAAP Games three seasons ago.

Could Samuel Ekwe, the 6-foot-8 exchange student from Nigeria who used to play soccer and the frontrunner in the MVP race be the “king lion” that San Beda have been waiting for 28 years?

Go San Beda Fight, 3X!!!

Postcript: Logo courtesy of www.redlionsden1.tripod.com

Tabacalera – Currimao

Here is another structure with cultural and historical value, which by the way appears to have been neglected, just like the watchtower in the previous post. This is known as the tabacalera, located in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, in the same vicinity where the coral rock formations and the watchtower stand.

This tabacalera is claimed to be the biggest in the Ilocos region, and the best example of this genre in Philippine architecture. Its rectangular floor plan is not any different from the size of a normal church building(Ilocos Norte – a travel guide book; II Ed: 2005). This is bigger than the tabacalera in Laoag City which houses the Museo Iloko. If this was located in the city, it could have been given the proper restoration and maintenance for future generations to know more of their history and culture.

The tabacalera, believed to have been utilized as warehouse of native products, such as tobacco and rice, for the purpose of trade, was built in 1869. As it is, the main structure is still intact but if not attended to soon, it may slowly deteriorate. I hope for future generations to see it in its entire form and glory, unlike the watchtower where half of it is already gone.

I noticed that the structure is not far from destruction considering that its yard have been converted into a construction site where sand and gravel are dumped. Heavy equipments operate in very close proximity to the structure, thus, destruction is highly probable.

Ruins of a Watchtower – Currimao

On both sides of the coastline (featured in the previous post) are ruins of two watchtowers. The one below is the watchtower on the southern end. The one on the north is barely discernible except for its rubbles.

The watchtower stands on a circular floor plan with rectangular portholes. It is believed that the tower did not have an entrance door, instead, the portholes on the second floor, which looked like more of windows, served as the entrance and exit to and from the tower, such as the one you see at the center. Timber beams were placed in the holes on the walls (you can see in the image) which supported the second and top floors of the tower.

This structure appears to have been neglected. It is a monument of local history and culture, dumped in an isolated shore. Half of it is gone, and the remaining half may soon vanish if something is not done to save this significant edifice.

By the way, I never knew of its existence until my last visit to Ilocos Norte two months ago. When I saw it, it appreciated it more and how I wish I can do something to save the tower preserve the history and culture of the people…:)

Coral Rock Formations – Currimao

Along the coastline of Currimao, just very near the town proper, is an impressive display of coral rock formations which the town is known for. The formation is enormous and it is as if the coral rocks have been cut at almost the same height. It spans to more or less 2 kms along the coastline. They have been described as “almost miraculously rising from the crystal clear waters; reaching heights of more than 12 feet (they can provide shades at noontime); and these jagged monuments are of the same material that has been used to build massive baroque churches in the region” (Ilocos Norte: A travel guide book; II Ed; 2005).

Photo enthusiasts may instantly fall in love with the place not only for the perfect backdrop of rolling rock formations but also because it provides a natural and one of a kind pedestal for their subject, utilizing the sea as the background or the mountain at the opposite.

You may stay a while for photo shoots or a little longer for a picnic. Bamboo kiosks are provided but you can stay in your car in you wish. You may also try dipping in the water but do not take off your slippers because the corals may be sharp (though you may try looking for an area where it’s a little sandy). It may not be the perfect place to swim but it’s good for sight seeing and photo ops. The place is perfect at sunset, by the way.

The road is well paved which provides for an easy access to the place.

Ceramics Manufacturer – Paoay

Still in Paoay, there’s this small-backyard manufacturing business that sells fine and good quality ceramics in teracotta and antique finish, owned by a couple with background in ceramic making. Their shop is called Veronica Ceramics, named not after them but after the street where their residence/factory/shop is located, No. 18 Veronica Street, Paoay, one of the streets in front of the Paoay church. They sell various novelty items such as ash trays, candle holders, lamp shades, chimes, bracelets, key chains, among so many others. Here are some of the pictures I have taken of their products:

This is the chime that Bongbong Marcos ordered for his beach house in Suba Beach, Laoag City, which, by the way only costs P300:

One thing (my) visitors to Ilocos (Norte) made me realized is that there is not much souvenir shops and items they can choose from. They always end up bringing home food products such as longanisa, bagnet and “kornik,” which after eating are gone. If there was, the items are not from Ilocos because the items on sale are the same as those you see in Manila. It’s human nature for a visitor to bring home something which would always remind them of the place aside from the photos. This shop may just satisfy your longing for an Ilocos-made souvenir. (You may also check Museo Iloko in Laoag City, beside the Provincial Capitol for more souvenir items.)By the way, the price is very reasonable and they accept made-to-orders based on your own designs.

Abel Iloko – Paoay

Paoay in not only known for its ever charming St. Agustine Church but also for its “inabel” (popularly known as “abel iloko”), a textile made of cotton and other natural fibers woven in pedal frame looms. It’s not only in Paoay though that inabel is being made. The industry have become widespread in the region, thus, its name.

The wooden pedal frame where the fabric is manually weaved:

When I was in Paoay, I had the chance to visit a store that weaves and sells inabel just beside the Paoay Church where I took the images here.

The inabel have evolved from a blanket to pillow cases, bed covers, and place mats; to fabric of choice for designers; to bags, and to everything that the Ilocano creative mind can imagine:

Inabel blankets:

Inabel dress:

Inabel bags:

The design and use of the fabric have become so unlimited which makes it very versatile and durable. In fact, the inabel blankets I used as a small child in the province are still kept in my mother’s closet in the province, ready to use, anytime. By the way, my mother used to starch my inabel blanket and I didn’t like it because I don’t want my blanket standing on its own! To add, historical reports reveal that the fabric was even used as sails for large trading ships during the colonial period.

Postscript: The weaver in the shop I have visited informed me that they have not been producing a lot lately because of the scarcity of raw materials. The weavers would appreciate it a lot though if you can have your piece of abel iloko when you visit Ilocos.

Structures not to be missed – Paoay!

A trip to Ilocos Norte would never be complete without visiting the world renowned Roman Catholic Church of St. Agustine, commonly referred to as the Paoay Church, declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Paoay Church is one structure that never fails to provide a perfect backdrop for every press of the shutter. Truly, you have not been to Ilocos if you have have not seen Paoay Church. For so many years, many have been said and lots of photos have been taken of the church but everytime I go to Paoay, I cannot help but to admire, and never ceases, the beauty and grandeur of the structure as if it’s always the first time.

You may also try going up the belltower and the “kampanero” would readily oblige to accompany you upon request.

A block away to the left of the church is a white octagonal house known as the “Duque House.” If you like architecture, you should not miss this:

Unfortunately, you may only admire the architecture from the outside. You may not be able to get in because it is (still) a private residence. Noticeable though, even from the outside is it’s deteriorating condition and it may soon become a mere part of the town’s history if not rehabilitated in due time. Click here for more info about the house.

Body scrub all you can – Sarrat

In my recent visit to Ilocos (Norte), I visited a river resort in Sarrat with a friend from Manila, where the scenes in the previous two posts were taken. He prefers fresh water over salt water, thus, I decided to bring him to a mountain river resort in Solsona called “Karingking.” It was already quite late when we finally decided to go and my family begged us not to go because they didn’t want us to stay even later in that place for whatever reason they may have (Hmm, a little bit of concern for grown ups there!). We obliged, hence, we settled in the lowland at a river resort in Sarrat.
 

“Cottage”

In the province, the word resort becomes a misnomer because there is seldom a high end resort here in the truest sense of the word. As long as there it is a place to picnic and entrance fee or cottage fee is collected, it’s already a resort.
 

“Footbridge”

The place was quite. There were only two cottages occupied, including ours. Except for the karaoke singing from the other cottage, the place was very relaxed and serene. The Sierra Madre Mountain Range served as a perfect backdrop to the warm blue-green water which made the place appear even more secluded that it seemed.

The scene and some rural activities within the vicinity made me busy with my shutter. In the water, my friend (image below) was preoccupied with something which interested me and tried myself later!

“Scrub all you can!”

That prompted me to take more images before he washed it out. For the longest time, I never knew of someone who body scrubbed in the resort using the “fine silted sand” on the river bed. Because he told me that is was good and it was for free, I tried it myself and in fact, it was smooth on the skin which made us scrub for some more…!!!

The flexibility of the bamboo – Sarrat

Here are some more images captured in the same place where I took the scenes in the previous post. As a child in the province (just a few years back! Hmm…) I had my ample share of riding a bamboo raft in a river at the back of my grandmother’s house whenever we visited her on weekends. I enjoyed riding sitting but the downside is you get wet-that’s fine if you intend to dive in the water after. Standing on the raft was very hard because there was nothing you can hold on to. Maintaining your balance is the key so as not to fall (and be the talk of the town the next day! Hehe!). It may be a little bit easier if the raft is not moving but if it is, like the images below, you may need an extraordinary display of balance to reach the other side in exactly the same form as you boarded.

It may be a common sight in the province to see bamboo rafts transporting people from one end of the river to the other, such as the image below, after all that is what the raft is widely known for – to transport people:

But when you see bamboo rafts transporting a motorbike aside from people, you start to wonder:

“Hold on to something more steady,

or better yet, do not get off the motorbike!”

“Yes, don’t get off the motorbike.

If you have none, hold on to each other…with attitude!”

If you don’t get enough of the motorbike, what about a “tricycle,” loaded with a sack of rice!

“Yes, yes, hold on to each other! If you’re alone,

pitty you, to get no one and nothing to hold on to!”

The previous scenes were captivating the eyes of someone who does not often see an awesome display of wit and brawn in utilizing the “bamboo raft” as a mode of transportation to transport yet another mode of transportation. I was waiting the whole day because the bamboo raft might just load a “jeepney” next, but I failed…

Postscript: The river here divides two towns. Instead of driving several kilometers on concrete road going around several more towns just to reach the other side of the river, it’s better to take the raft. It’s cheaper and shorter!

Too Sexy II – Sarrat

This is a follow up to a previous post of the same title ( See it here.) There was this lady who was going to every cottage in the river resort in Sarrat (ilocos Norte) which we have visited recently, sporting the invulnerable talent of Ilocanos, balancing weight on their head, but her case was with a plus: a pot on her right hand and a shoulder bag on her left.
 

“She came with one hand…”

I was suppose to press the shutter of my camera while she was approaching our cottage but her shock meter might suddenly go up which may cause whatever was on top of her head to fall and spoil an amazing display of balance and dexterity! That left me with an image at her exit which I thought was more expressive and fuller in character.

“…and left handsfree!”

She was selling grilled catfish which may have hatched and catched somewhere along this river. Wondering what’s in that pot on her right hand? Cooked rice! Just in case we decided to get some, we already had a complete meal! Water should not have been a problem at all because we should have taken from this “Bubon.”(“Bubon”- a shallow dig hole on the riverbank where they get cleaner water; I wish I explained that well, hehe!)

“Fetching water from a “Bubon”

But take a look at this – is this not the same spot where the lad above was fetching (his drinking) water from? I hope there was no cow’s feet on the “bubon” huh!

On a more serious note, the images above reflects the culture of Ilocanos being hardworking. In almost the same spot, I have captured various images of Ilocanos’ resiliency to life (add to that the “manong” building a cottage at the background of the image immediately above)! That’s one thing I’m truly proud of…