ASIA DEVELOPMENT BANK HEADQUARTERS, ORTIGAS CENTER, METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES
 
 
 
 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

Kevin Hamdorf Photography                          New Images
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