Pundaquit, Zambales, Philippines
July 2008

Living in rural Zambales, on the South China Sea coast between the town of San Antonio and the small fishing village of Pundaquit, I witness the day to day lives of the local folk as they go about their business of farming and fishing. Below is a  selection of images taken from one of my favorite locations, the San Antonio to Pundaquit Bridge, where it crosses the Pamatawan River.

 

The single lane “Baily” type bridge, which fords the Pamatawan River one kilometer south of San Antonio and connects to Punduquit fishing village 3 kilometers further south.

Photo # 041708_3226
The single lane “Baily Type” bridge, which fords the Pamatawan River one kilometer south of San Antonio and leads to Pundaquit fishing village, located about 3 kilometers further south.

 

During the dry season (late November to early May), an annual ritual is practiced by families from the nearby town of San Antonio, Zamables, when they construct temporary bamboo and nipa huts along the river bed of the Pamatawan River and establish lush vegetable gardens in the fertile river sediments (composed predominantly of volcanic ash originating from the Mt. Pinatubo Volcanic eruption in June of 1992). As well as producing marketable crops of Kangkong (River Spinach – Ipomoea aquatica) and Gabi (Taro, - Calocasia esculenta ), the coolness of the shallow river waters provides a haven from the stifling heat, which characterizes the Philippine dry season. With the onset of the first torrential rains, the entire enterprise is swept away by the surging flood waters and carried out in to the South China Sea, some 2.5 kilometers down stream at fishing village of San Miguel. View looking east from the San Antonio to Pundaquit Bridge towards Mt. Nacday (356m -to the right) in the Zambales Mountains.

Photo # 041708_3249
During the dry season (late November to early May), an annual ritual is practiced by families from the nearby town of San Antonio, Zamables, when they construct temporary bamboo and nipa huts along the river bed of the Pamatawan River and establish lush vegetable gardens in the fertile river sediments (composed predominantly of volcanic ash originating from the Mt. Pinatubo Volcanic eruption in June of 1992).  As well as producing marketable crops of Kangkong (River Spinach – Ipomoea aquatica) and Gabi (Taro, - Calocasia esculenta ), the coolness of the shallow river waters provides a haven from the stifling heat, which characterizes the Philippine dry season. With the onset of the first torrential rains, the entire enterprise is swept away by the surging flood waters and carried out in to the South China Sea, some 2.5 kilometers down stream at fishing village of San Miguel. View looking east from the San Antonio to Pundaquit Bridge towards Mt. Nacday (356m -to the right) in the Zambales Mountains.

 

During the dry season (late November to early May), an annual ritual is practiced by families from the nearby town of San Antonio, Zamables, when they construct temporary bamboo and nipa huts along the river bed of the Pamatawan River and establish lush vegetable gardens in the fertile river sediments (composed predominantly of volcanic ash originating from the Mt. Pinatubo Volcanic eruption in June of 1992). As well as producing marketable crops of Kangkong (River Spinach - Ipomoea aquatica) and Gabi (Taro - Calocasia esculenta), the coolness of the shallow river waters provides a haven from the stifling heat, which characterizes the Philippine dry season. With the onset of the first torrential rains, the entire enterprise is swept away by the surging flood waters and carried out in to the South China Sea, some 2.5 kilometers down stream at fishing village of San Miguel. View looking east from the San Antonio to Pundaquit Bridge towards Mt. Nacday (356m -to the right) in the Zambales Mountains.

Photo # 041708_3232
During the dry season (late November to early May), an annual ritual is practiced by families from the nearby town of San Antonio, Zamables, when they construct temporary bamboo and nipa huts along the river bed of the Pamatawan River and establish lush vegetable gardens in the fertile river sediments (composed predominantly of volcanic ash originating from the Mt. Pinatubo Volcanic eruption in June of 1992).  As well as producing marketable crops of Kangkong (River Spinach - Ipomoea aquatica) and Gabi (Taro -  Calocasia esculenta), the coolness of the shallow river waters provides a haven from the stifling heat, which characterizes the Philippine dry season. With the onset of the first torrential rains, the entire enterprise is swept away by the surging flood waters and carried out in to the South China Sea, some 2.5 kilometers down stream at fishing village of San Miguel. View looking east from the San Antonio to Pundaquit Bridge towards Mt. Nacday (356m -to the right) in the Zambales Mountains.

 

Caption During the dry season (late November to early May), an annual ritual is practiced by families from the nearby town of San Antonio, Zambales, when they construct temporary bamboo and nipa huts along the river bed of the Pamatawan River and establish lush vegetable gardens in the fertile river sediments (composed predominantly of volcanic ash originating from the Mt. Pinatubo Volcanic eruption in June of 1992). As well as producing marketable crops of Kangkong (River Spinach - Ipomoea aquatica) and Gabi (Taro - Calocasia esculenta), the coolness of the shallow river waters provides a haven from the stifling heat, which characterizes the Philippine dry season. With the onset of the first torrential rains, the entire enterprise is swept away by the surging flood waters and carried out in to the South China Sea, some 2.5 kilometers down stream at fishing village of San Miguel. View looking east from the San Antonio to Pundaquit Bridge towards Mt. Nacday (356m - to the right) in the Zambales Mountains.

Photo # 041708_3238
During the dry season (late November to early May), an annual ritual is practiced by families from the nearby town of San Antonio, Zambales, when they construct temporary bamboo and nipa huts along the river bed of the Pamatawan River and establish lush vegetable gardens in the fertile river sediments (composed predominantly of volcanic ash originating from the Mt. Pinatubo Volcanic eruption in June of 1992).  As well as producing marketable crops of Kangkong (River Spinach - Ipomoea aquatica – tall plant visible in the foreground) and Gabi (Taro - Calocasia esculenta), the coolness of the shallow river waters provides a haven from the stifling heat, which characterizes the Philippine dry season. With the onset of the first torrential rains, the entire enterprise is swept away by the surging flood waters and carried out in to the South China Sea, some 2.5 kilometers down stream at fishing village of San Miguel. View looking east from the San Antonio to Pundaquit Bridge towards Mt. Nacday (356m - to the right) in the Zambales Mountains.
 

A farmer tends his Gabi (Taro - Calocasia esculenta) vegetable garden in the

Photo # 042308_5449
A farmer tends his Gabi (Taro - Calocasia esculenta) vegetable garden in the
Pamatawan River bed, San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines.

 

Children net for fresh water snail (“susu”) in the Pamatawan River , San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines.

Photo # 042308_5430
Children netting for fresh water snail (“susu”), which when boiled with selected vegetables, makes a delicious and nutritional soup. Pamatawan River , San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines.

Relaxing in the cool waters of the Pamatawan River, San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines.

Photo # 042308_5439

Relaxing in the cool waters of the Pamatawan River, San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines.

 

Late afternoon view of the temporary dry season vegetable gardens and shelters along the Pamatawan River, looking west from the San Antonio to Pundaquit Bridge. The fishing village of San Miguel is located approximately 2.5 kilometers down stream, where the river empties into the South China Sea.

Photo # 041708_3240

Late afternoon view of the temporary dry season vegetable gardens and shelters along the Pamatawan River, looking west from the San Antonio to Pundaquit Bridge. The fishing village of San Miguel is located approximately 2.5 kilometers down stream, where the river empties into the South China Sea.

With the arrival of the wet season in July, the Pamatawan River floods and sweeps away the dry season's temporary vegetable gardens and recreational huts.

Photo # 072808_7792

With the arrival of the wet season in July, the Pamatawan River floods and sweeps away the dry season's temporary vegetable gardens and recreational huts.

 

 

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