Way back in August, we ventured back to the little seaside barangay of Lantangan, a part of Mandaon, on the island of Masbate in the Philippines.
It was my first time back in 15 years so that which I could remember had undergone a lot of change. Foremost amongst these changes was more housing than I remember, some of this wiping out some nice ricefield views I photographed in 2007.
But possibly the best development of all is a new road, well half road, half goat track, that allows you to get from Masbate City to Lantangan without the need for a boat from Mandaon.
Back in 2007, we accessed Lantangan via a large Bangka from Roxas City via Jintololo Island, a service that looks to no longer exist. Then, to get to Masbate City, it was a small Bangka to Mandaon, then some form of road transport onward.
The Lantangan Motorway outside the Lantangan High School.
The road junctions from the sealed Balud Road and is cemented for a portion of the way to Lantangan. Beyond that, it is a very narrow dirt track that, while drivable, can prove to be a problem when two vehicles need to pass.
I am led to believe that cementing the rest of the road progresses, but at a speed that makes Carabao look like a Melbourne Cup prize winner.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Entrance to the 'Lantangan National High School'.
This must be a newer addition to the school as it does not appear on Google Streetscape.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Carabao Liner. :-)
The local commuter service around Lantangan.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Red Shirt: Darly Santiago
White shirt: No Idea
Photo: Brad Peadon
Barrio Site* is the first place we stopped on our Lantangan adventure. A bit of a trial given we had been up all night trying to get there, and really just wanting to get to our accommodation for some rest and Tanduay Rhum.
Twas a bit of a hot, humid, and muddy walk. But worth it for a bit of an explore away from the normally traveled Lantangan Motorway.
*Barrio Site is what my asawa tells me it is called, so no whinging if that is wrong as I really have no clue.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Unidentified Rugrat.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Nhing and Tin catch the hourly Carabao Liner service towards Lantangan proper.
Being kuriput, they weren't going to pay for the aircon service. :-)
Photo: Brad Peadon
A random house, with some Caldereta walking around out the front.
Photo: Brad Peadon
A random jeepney opposite the school.
I am very jeepney obsessed, so was pretty well wrapped to find one there.
Photo: Brad Peadon
An impressive-looking fighting cock.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Love these provincial huts.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Left to right:
Virginia (Lago), Tin Tin, Nhing, Basyon (Lago's Mum)
Photo: Brad Peadon
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