For over four decades I have been a rail and bus photographer.
However, during this time I have aimed the lens at other subjects, be they different transportation, scenery, buildings and other bollocks.
Given these do not really fit the scope of my other sites, I felt compelled to set up a new site so as to inflict my other photographic garbage upon the world. While primarily Philippine and Australian content, there will be the occasional forays into Fiji and Hong Kong. Perhaps other locations should the current pandemic ever allow it.
So sit back and enjoy, or hate, even be indifferent. That choice is purely up to you.
Lantangan is a barangay in Mandaon, a municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is one of the 26 barangays of Mandaon and has a population of approximately 2,776 people, based on the 2020 Census. This makes up around 6.29% of Mandaon's total population.
The name "Lantangan" is believed to have come from "Gantangan," which refers to a traditional wooden box used for measuring rice. The term is derived from "gantang," a unit of volume used in the Philippines, which is equivalent to a gallon or 16 cups.
Lantangan is located at coordinates 12.1841°N latitude and 123.2721°E longitude, with an elevation of around 25.1 meters (82.3 feet) above sea level. The barangay is known for its natural beauty, including caves located on Mount Pingganon, a feature that has drawn attention from local media.
Corrections and additions welcome.
Images all copyright of Google and used as per their terms and conditions.
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Above and below.
I can't remember their names now, but these two cuties entertained us all the time we were at Sunset Villa.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Filo breakfasts are always the best feed of the day.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Preparing for another awesome breakfast at Sunset Villa.
Photos: Brad Peadon
One of the hundreds of bangkas that pass by Lantangan every day.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Island paradise.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Looking out over one of the Lantangan cruise terminals :-) .
Photos: Brad Peadon
Yet another bangka.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Mercy Full Way just outside Sunset Villa (Lantangan).
Photos: Brad Peadon
Bit further down Mercy Full Way.
This rough road makes for a beautiful walk.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Delicious Longsilog (Longanisa sausage with egg and rice) and some little fishy things.
Let me kick things off by confessing: when it comes to this particular topic, I’m mostly just winging it. Unlike some of the honorary PhDs in “Everything Railways” floating around the railfan scene, I’m not about to fake it 'til I make it—and I definitely won’t insult your intelligence by pretending to be an expert.
So, if you’ve got some juicy facts or corrections about any of the trucks below, hit me up! I’ll gladly add your info and give you full credit, street cred included.
As a lifelong train nut, I’ve gotta admit—trucks have never really been my thing. Every now and then I’d snap a photo of one, usually because it looked as ancient as I feel, or because I was bored stiff waiting for the next train to show up.
But recently, something amazing happened: I finally ticked off a 25-year-old dream (a second time ;-) ) and made it to Negros Occidental & Oriental! And naturally, I went full railfan mode, diving headfirst into the hunt for any surviving bits and pieces of the old sugar industry railways. Spoiler alert: it was like a treasure hunt, minus the pirates.
La Carlota City is a charming spot tucked away in the province of Negros Occidental, in the heart of the Philippines’ sugar-producing region. It’s a place where history, agriculture, and small-town warmth all come together—kind of like if a heritage town and a sugarcane field had a really wholesome baby. While it may not be the first name on every tourist’s itinerary, La Carlota has its own quiet charisma, especially if you’ve got a thing for colonial-era buildings, heritage churches, or just really scenic drives through fields of green.
The city’s claim to fame is its strong ties to the sugar industry. It’s surrounded by miles and miles of sugarcane, and it’s home to one of the country’s oldest sugar mills, the less than friendly Central Azucarera de La Carlota. If you’re into industrial history or love the smell of molasses in the morning, this place is basically a unwelcoming pilgrimage site. Back in the day, narrow-gauge railway lines snaked their way across the countryside, connecting sugar plantations to the mill. While many of those tracks have vanished, the railway legacy still lingers—if you know where to look.
La Carlota also has a strong sense of community and a pace of life that doesn’t rush for anyone. People here are friendly, laid-back, and probably know half the town by name. The city also comes alive during its annual Pasalamat Festival, a colorful, music-filled thanksgiving celebration that blends Catholic traditions with indigenous rituals. Think street dancing, costumes made from farm produce, and enough food to put you into a very festive food coma.
While it might not be buzzing with nightlife or ultra-modern attractions, La Carlota’s charm lies in its authenticity. It’s a great base if you’re interested in heritage travel, industrial archaeology, or just exploring the off-the-beaten-path parts of Negros. Whether you’re chasing down ghost tracks from old sugar railways or just soaking up the scenery with a cold drink in hand, La Carlota welcomes you with open arms (unless you are the sugar mill which were the gold standard in unfriendly)—and maybe a sugarcane snack or two.
Nhing Nhings, Virl Virls & Chris our driver.
The friendly truck drivers who are always so good.
The incredibly unhelpful people at the La Carlota Sugar Mill.
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