Photos and story by Art G. Valenzuela WHOSE HANDS crafted and baked the more than a million bricks and tiles that make up the façade and walls of the Fort Ilocandia Resort in Ilocos Norte? It was also in 1982 when the Ministry of Agriculture Region 1 Director Manuel “Maning”…
The old city of Vigan comes alive
Short story and photos by Art G. Valeanzuela A FISHERMAN casts a solitary figure off the shoreline at Bangui Bay in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte taking advantage of the calmness of the sea in pursuing a simple livelihood. Fifteen minutes before sundown I was getting ready to catch the sunset with…
The Fisherman and the Sea
Photos and short story by Art G. Valenzuela Now that a great part of the country is officially down to Alert Level 1, almost everyone is longing for a summer place of his own – that fits the budget, of course — where one could spend a much deserved vacation….
A Summer Place
Short story and photo by Art G. Valenzuela THERE IS BEAUTY in the simplistic looks of these tourist destinations as they await “full awakening” from two years of doldrums in the industry. Some have opened up while others are just starting to welcome back the visitors. There really is…
THE “FULL AWAKENING” OF DOMESTIC TOURISM
It was a long weekend well spent with family in an off-beach ”Bahay Kubo” resort at Barangay Balingasay in Bolinao which the owner suited up appropriately with props for the “Undas.” This is one place where you can buy fresh seafoods (including lobster) just a few meters from the main…
“UNDAS” Weekend in Bolinao
Photos and narrative by Art G. Valenzuela SUNSET..DUSK..TWILIGHT.. PUIRPLE SHADES.. Call it any name and still it creates a tender image that is almost sacrosanct and yet evocative. It means that another day is ending and soon the moments will transit into evening — with the family, maybe with a…
IT’S TWILIGHT TIME
Photos and short story by Art G. Valenzuela With positivity, our SUNDAY PUNCH online and this contributor always look forward to nice things in life. I am sure you, too, are longing to tour the countryside once more and enjoy a breathtaking sunset in an another place “where two souls…
LOOKING FORWARD TO NICE THINGS IN LIFE
Photos and story by Art G. Valenzuela THE year was 1982 when I received a call from my friend, the Regional Director of the Ministry of Agriculture for Region 1, Manuel “Maning” Varquez. He asked me if I could come and visit him for official business at his regional office…
Touring “Malacañang of the North”
Photos and short story by Art G. Valenzuela Perhaps, Isabela is one of the very few provinces in the Philippines which have been endowed with natural beauty and resources by Mother Nature. It used to be a vast rainforest in early times where many indigenous people lived. Many of the…