Stalking the most beautiful places in the Philippines


Welcome, welcome 'o weary traveler... from where do you cometh? Are you seeking new lands to conquer, perhaps planning a visit to the Philippines? Or are you simply feeling home-sick and hungry for photographs of home? Whatever, feel free to look or share. An adventure awaits.

I try to post new images weekly from my travels across this beautiful land. If you like what you see, please leave a comment or two. Or write me a note, I'd love to hear from where you cometh. Enjoy. Bobby (bobbyw59@yahoo.com) Join this group to receive new postcards weekly or become a fan of my Facebook page.


Monday, May 18, 2009

#32 What's for Dinner?


What's for dinner? Much less than you'd expect...

In a small baranggay nestled on the foothills of Mayoyao in Ifugao province, we stalked the sunset in a valley peppered with rice paddies. The fog rolled-in just as the sun started to set, covering most of the visible sky. Not even a timed exposure revealed the color of the fading light. It was getting dark. We looked around for something else to shoot and that's when we saw this grass hut lit from within.

A couple of young girls were preparing dinner the old-fashioned way: with a wood fire, a blackened pot, and a lung-full of air. Dinner will be simple, just vegetable soup. You can tell there isn't a shred of technology in their kitchen: no microwave oven, no piped-in cooking gas, no flat-top stove, not even a refrigerator. Sorry there's no electricity in this community, a life as simple as it gets.

There are still many places untouched by civilization, something to see and experience before they all disappear. I told you it was less than you'd expect. Enjoy.

16 comments:

  1. I like that phrase--not a shred of technology. As usual, this photo is stunning!

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  2. GORGEOUS! You have an amazing eye!!

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  3. one can almost smell a whiff of burning wood so common in the province, late in the day.

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  4. This is really cool. In my hometown/barrio we still do use this old fashion-way of cooking our food, i.e., in a darkened kaldero or banga (clay pot), using "anyub"~a blow pipe-like to blow lung-full of air to accelerate the fire, (even we have those so-called luxuries of electricity that can do wonders in our kitchens). Firewood were plentiful from dried twigs/branches of trees inside our property, or sometimes gather firewood along the sea shore right after the storm that hit our shores. Foods were just fine and yummy using our bare hands under the nipa gazebo. Ahh..what a simple life ^_^

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  5. This is such an awesome picture. I love the lighting and the way everything seems to have its own texture. The shadows even seem to have texture.

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  6. This reminds me of my childhood in Batangas. You captured another cherished memory in a picture. Thanks.

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  7. So beautiful. It's a photograph that's also a painting. Thanks so much.

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  8. I like this photo. It reminds me during my childhood. Living in a simple society makes me happy and I feel more complete than living in the city which is very crowded.

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  9. You have a way with words...
    Loved it...


    They don't need us to spoil it for them...They have everything they need to survive...

    Hat's off to them...

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  10. I envy you! You have been and have seen the beauty of places and scenes that we took for granted as kids growing up in the province. Now, through your truly compelling photos, you just made me return and catch glimpses of that childhood lost in the many trappings of adult life! I yearn to re-visit those places, moments, and memories! You are truly an amazing artist! Salamat! Ag-yamannak unay! Kudos and God bless!

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  11. wow! and congrats coz you just turned an amorsolo painting into a photograph!

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  12. It is more than what we hoped, and perhaps as much as we deserve, to be exposed t the magic of what we once were.
    Great shot!!

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  13. no matter how bare of luxury, this scene evokes so much warmth... reminds me of nights with my lola when she's kindling the pugon made by my lolo. the smell of burning wood, the heat of the flame, presence of family that makes you feel safe, even in the darkest of nights. this is beautiful! i luv it! thanks for sharing this! -anam

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  14. The stories that come with the photos add more life, more meaning; they make the viewer more drawn, more captivated to the images... Congratulations, Mr. Wong....

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  15. I tried that old fashion cooking when we were in balangbang, I really cherised our hometown Mayoyao, I salute you Mr. Wong for bringing Mayoyao on the web...(Norman Mon-alon)

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