One of the few surviving arch-type stone bridges in the Philippines that was built during the Spanish regime is Malagonlong Bridge or Puente de Malagonlong. A declared historical site by the National Historical Institute, Malagonlong is a 445-foot long bridge built in 1840-1850. This was the longest bridge ever constructed during the Spanish era with approximately 100,000 adobe blocks used. Located in Tayabas, a town in Quezon province 3 hours south of Manila, Malagonlong Bridge crosses the Dumaca-a River and connects Tayabas to towns of Mauban and Pagbilao.
When I took this photo last year, motor vehicles were no longer allowed to pass this 160-year old bridge for safety reasons. A modern girder type bridge was constructed about a 100 yards from this charming stone bridge.
Kung dati ka ng napadpad dito, malamang nakita mo na ang ibang litratong ito sa dati kong mga post. Naisipan ko lang na ang magiging misyon ng blog page ko ay ang mailarawan ang ganda at mayamang kultura ng Pilipinas. Kung isa kang Pinoy, nais kong magiging no. 1 fan ka ng Pilipinas at ipagmamalaki mong Filipino ka. At kahit maraming problema dito, sana hindi mo ipagsawalang-bahala ang mga kapuri-puring bagay sa bayan mo.
Kung dayuhan ka naman, gusto kong makita mo sa blogsite na 'to ang iba pang mukha ng Pilipinas---hindi lang kahirapan, katiwalian, at krimen ang makikita mo dito. Puno ng yaman ang buong kapuluan. Hindi man ginto o langis, kundi yaman ng pagkamalikhain, taos-pusong pagkakaibigan at tunay na kagandahang-loob. Gusto ko rin makilala mo ang marangal naming lahi, at kung ano man ang pagkakaiba ng ating kultura, kaugalian at paniniwala, imbes na pag-awayan, pintasan o batikusin, sana matuto tayong ipagdiwang ang ating kaibhan.
Navy cadets in Corregidor
World War II memorial---Brothers in Arms
If you’ve been to this blog before, you have probably seen these photos in my previous posts.I thought of re-posting them and make it this blog’s mission to show the beauty and the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines.If you are a Filipino, I’d like you to be proud of who you are and become the Philippines’ no. 1 fan.Our challenges seem to be never-ending but don’t let it blind you to the commendable milestones we have achieved as a people.
If you're a foreigner, I'd like this blogsite to show you another facet of my country. Philippines is not all about poverty, corruption and crime. This archipelago is a treasure-trove, not of gold or oil, but of creativity and talent, of sincere friendships and genuine hospitality. I would like you to get to know of our proud and honorable race. We may differ in culture, tradition and religion, but instead of nurturing conflict, let us celebrate our differences.
beach in Camotes Island
Silliman Hall at Silliman University
tranquil Balinsasayao Lake in Negros Oriental
serene Lake Kabalin-an
raging Dumacaa River in Tayabas
a friendly encounter with a cowboy in Tayabas forest
remembering Dr. Jose Rizal's heroism in Fort Santiago
A bamboo pole as a makeshift stand for an umbrella. An ingenious way to create a shade for father and son while they soak in the cool waters of Dumacaa River.
Dumacaa dam was constructed in 1957 and is one of the critical watersheds supporting irrigation system of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). It is a major source of water for irrigation of 1,721 farmers located in the towns of Tayabas and Pagbilao, and Lucena City. (Source: DENR)
So this is what the dam looks like at daylight! My friends and I crossed this dam around 9 pm the night before with only a flashlight. It was pitch-dark as there is no electricity in this area. And I probably looked silly with a pillow under my arm as I walked blindly on rocks and water. As Franzia would put it, we were guided by the stars! We stayed in a tenant's house beside the river, there are no neighbors at a shouting distance. Harvey made a bonfire and us girls star-gazed and drank tequila while I was telling them scary stories.:D
I am amazed at this man's patience. He's fishing using a speargun, and from this frail-looking tree, he's waiting for fish to surface from the river so he can strike it with a harpoon. People living by the Dumacaa River fish for food so I guess this guy does not need that much fish. Spearfishing yields extremely low catch that it's probably the most ecologically sustainable form of fishing.
Walking through the forest is like taking a miracle drug---it relaxes the spirit and rejuvenates the soul. It reminded me of a favorite Henry David Thoreau quote, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately..." Of course, "to front only the essentialfacts of life" is not for somebody who wants to be pampered. If you enjoy the simple things like a colorful butterfly, a riot of wild flowers, a flash of color under the bushes, light coming through the leaves, the smells and sounds of the forest, and how grass and mud and slime feel on your skin, then you'd love a trek like this one. It's the pure joy of walking slowly, standing still, experiencing nature. Drop the sense of hurry and savor the surroundings.
An hour and a half trek through the forest brought us here---to Dumacaa River. I don't know what it is about the sight and sound of rushing water that soothes my senses and calms my inner OC. There was a pleasant smell of damp leaves and the sounds of life accented by chattering birds and the rapidly rushing waters of the river from Mount Banahaw. Our own private paradise.
Thank you, Ike, for inviting us to your hacienda.:D
One of the few surviving arch-type stone bridges in the Philippines that was built during the Spanish regime is Malagonlong Bridge or Puente de Malagonlong. A declared historical site by the National Historical Institute, Malagonlong is a 445-foot long bridge built in 1840-1850. This was the longest bridge ever constructed during the Spanish era with approximately 100,000 adobe blocks used. Located in Tayabas, a town in Quezon province 3 hours south of Manila, Malagonlong Bridge crosses the Dumaca-a River and connects Tayabas to towns of Mauban and Pagbilao.
