Ceres Busa Musings
Essays forwarded to the ZambalesForum
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Subject: [ZambalesForum2] Candelaria, O Candelaria
Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 15:44:21 +0200
From: "sonnyb"

Dear Rachel, Lino and Friends from Afar,

Greetings!

My time spent in Candelaria is just now coming full circle. The more I think of this town as sleepy and remote, the more I crave to discover its beauty. Indeed, Candelaria has been my "secret garden". I say this because I spent summer days there and only now I go back on my own. This time I do not have to be bribed with pastillas, sweet tamarind and sweet pomelos from my grandmother.

I drove on a very peaceful day. I took my time and took shots of what fancied me. The highway remains very friendly. Kakawati flowers are blooming everywhere. They are the Cherry Blossoms of the Philippines. The branches are bare of leaves and clusters of flowers are at their best. The kakawati flowers are sturdy and can withstand the blowing wind unlike the Cherry Blossoms that are too delicate in a light breeze. The Kakawati's pink color is just a light tint of the already pastel hue of the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. But just the same, my impression of the beautiful field is enhanced by the blooming Kakawati that spread throughout the rolling hills of Zambales.

I went to Potipot Island on a small banca. The island is about a10 minute ride away. To walk around the island is about 25 minutes at a leisurely pace. The sand is white, like powdery cake flour. Children can pick shells. The water is warm and irresistible. It is perfect for a picnic. The entrance fee is 15 pesos. You can pay the bangkero who will then hand it to the proper authority. From the island I saw the other resorts like the "Dawal Beach Resort". The place is clean and the staff is friendly. The lawn is manicured and the bougainvilleas in all sorts of colors fenced the front gate. There are choices for accommodations from regular room, de luxe room, single unit (cottage), pent house and the dormitory. Not only is the open sea available but there is also a swimming pool.

The Zambales Highway is the best road I have taken in the Philippines. The only minor irregularity is in Palauig and Masinloc towns. The most recent earthquake left some linear cracks and a slight depressions around the curves. These are slight damages that can only be noticed by those who trod the road many times.

I might as well tell you something about the National highway: This was a project of Gov. Vic Magsaysay ( Era of the then late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos). For P450 million the National Highway from Olongapo to Santa Cruz was built by Nam Kwang, a Korean Contract. Under the leadership of the governor and Mayor Ben Altares of Palauig, Chairman of Mayor's League, to this day, I enjoy the most pleasant drive.

Well, will you come and visit the North? ZF2, there are more attractions in Candelaria.

So late in the afternoon, I went back to San Narciso with baskets full of mango and dried fish, pastillas and a light heart with memories to keep me company as I drove back and to share you my week-end experience.

Life is not measured by time but by memories.

May pag-asa,
Ceres Cawagas Busa
Alusiis, San Narciso

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-----Original Message-----
From: sonnybusa
Sent: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 00:11:59 +0200
Subject: [ZambalesForum] "Four Ps...Pastillas, Pilipig, Patupat and Panan?"

Ragingbull and Dear Friends from Afar,

Greetings!

Is there a fourth P in your barrio? Let me guess...pastillas, patupat, pilipig and Panan?

North of San Felipe where the "dapilan" used to be is Cabangan? Personally, it is better to keep it anonymous.

The Ilokano ladies you described are like the ladies that our very own Zambaleña painter, Anita Magsaysay-Ho take as her famous subjects. They are the, "napintas nga balasang", whose soft features are enhanced with the "alampays" that gently slide down their shoulders as they beat the clothes on the big slab of stone in the river or as they balance the "batya" on their heads as they retire to their Nipa huts.

The other week, I was in Ilocos Norte to attend my Aunti's funeral. Day after the internment, the family went to the river to "ag-gulgol". I do not doubt that Ilokanos from Ilocos settled in Zambales without second thoughts of returning to their hometowns. The river is like the wide Bucao or the Macolcol river with the talahib and the mountain that was the backdrop. The scenery is almost a copy.

Serene as the river looks the current can sometimes pull you fast. My cousin, a good swimmer, had not been back in the river for years. She can't hold her excitement. She jumped, but the current took her fast. The Lelongs and the Lelangs screamed for help. The Manongs and other able bodied cousins jumped to rescue her and so the "ag-gulgol" was finally put to rest. Now that everybody was wet and excited the picnic of KBL (Kamatis, Bagoong and Lasona) and Katuray could finally begin.

I wondered far from my cousins who were getting intoxicated with laughter as if Aunti did not leave us. (No respect, a few hours ago, they were inconsolable. The dung-ao was endless and now they are laughing so hard). Aiyah! Afterall, funerals and weddings are reunions. They are forgiven as we see each other only every decade. I watched and talked to two ladies who were washing the clothes. Sometimes she gets up and adjust her tapis. Quite of age but had kept that girlish appearance. The other lady was really old and was smoking the black cigarette whose lighted end is inside her mouth. She does this inhaling and talking as my thoughts turned to Mother who had done so when she washed our clothes. Why do you do that I asked? The splashing water will put out the light in my cigarette.

Just farther down the stream is a "tarik". Do you remember what this is? It is another way of catching fish. Dried bamboo sticks and twigs are grouped in the middle of the river. The fish finds this a sanctuary but in fact it is a trap. If it is your "tarik", you must stay close and watch lest somebody gather the fish before you do. This usually results in the most unpleasant fights in the barrio. The bounty of the river can never be forgotten because of the unbelievable catch...jumping dalag, paltat, gurami, or the bunog. Now, you understand why the "tarik' is to die for.

Well, folks, I must now retire. I have a long trip to go to. Paul, too bad, you will not be in Baguio.

May pag-asa,
Ceres CB
Alusiis, San Narciso