Found in Alaminos City, Pangasinan in the Northern part of the Philippines (less than 4 hours from entry into NLEX), the Hundred Islands are said to be about 2 million years old. They number 123 at high tide and 124 at low tide.
If you ask me, they’re actually way too pretty for their seeming state of being practically forgotten.
We spent a sunny day on this quiet little beach on one of these tiny islets. This sunny day was a friendly window in between weeks of torrential rains. I know that Bommy, Lover and Ocin —my children — will remember this day (or snippets capturing the spirit rather than the hard facts of it) as a day we had spent on a tiny, private beach. Just playing. Just digging a sand pit. Just us.
I know that it’s not the tortuous, long and boring ride through the rain. I know that it’s not the fact that they argued on their respective world views every other ten minutes. I know it’s not even the fact that things had built up to where Ocin and Lover had started throwing sand into each other’s faces apparently to drive home some point. I know (hope) that they will remember dragonflies and fun times under the sun.
The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, which was built in 1905, is about an hour away from the Hundred Islands. Lighthouses such as this one required a great deal of attention and intense labor. I thought that in the classic days before automation and electricity, being a lighthouse keeper — in charge of the constant replenishing of kerosene, cleaning the lens, winding the clockworks, and all the other essentials to guiding ships to maritime safety — must have been a truly awesome and important job.
I hope that when they grow up, and they find themselves gripped by thinking that the night is too dark and stormy, they will remember that there will always exist (though largely forgotten and perhaps neglected) real lighthouses not just in the chimera of their childhood but in this world.
“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
It’s always our self we find in the sea.”
— E.E. Cummings
How about you?
Do you ever stop to think of the small, quiet and beautiful beach where nothing else mattered but sunny days and dragonflies?
Do you remember the lighthouse in your life (because no matter how scared or hopeless you may think you are, they are there)?
Thanks for stopping by!
See you again 😉
fcg
Beautiful pictures and it looks like it was a beautiful day complete with sand throwing!!! haha!!! Love it!!
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Thank you! That sand throwing incident actually got the parents screaming “STOP IT” like there’s no tomorrow. 😉
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What a beautiful country you live in! I am so glad you are capturing your family moments through your photography. Where you live is so different from I live so I am enjoying looking at the differences (with a bit of envy).
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You just made my day. Thank you for appreciating!
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My pleasure!
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cool pics………….
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Thank you!
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It looks like paradise, and your children are beautiful
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Thank you for the kind words. You really made my day. 🙂
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Your photos are absolutely amazing! As an avid photographer myself, I would love to know what kind of camera you use (if you don’t mind me asking). And, yes, I always think of the small, quiet and beautiful beach where nothing else mattered but sunny days and dragonflies. I still live near it, visit it often and still try to remember to live that way. They are my fondest memories of childhood and I’m so grateful to my parents for raising me that way. I’m sure your children will be too!
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Hello there, kerrytopjun! I am giddy just by reading your comment 🙂 Your words have really made my day! I am using my little Nikon point-and-shoot and just hope for the best 🙂 Really delighted that you like it. I hope, too that you continue to visit (and also maybe post photos of) your beautiful beach!
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wow…your pictures are just breathtaking!
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oh my! thank you for your kind words! i wish you love and happiness always 😀
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It’s my pleasure! Keep at it 🙂
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I love these colorful memories you have taken and sahared as well as the joy you can see of the children’s face.
Thanks for sharing
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thank you! 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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What an idyllic place and so beautifully captured. Thanks to you and a few others the Philippines is rising rapidly on our Bucket List.
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Why, thank you Ron! That’s so kind of you to say so. 🙂
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