EXCURSIONS INTO THE PHILIPPINES

[beirutvet]

Karl

I did not know your wife's name is Rowena.  That is also my wife's name.  She is from Cabanatuan.

[Karl Welteke]

Fieldtrip to Zambales Province


Two friends and I took a field trip to some spots in Zambales Province on the 8th of May 2017. We looked at the WWII Japanese guns in the Philippine National Police Camp next to the Iba Airfield, had a look at the Iba Airfield. Then we drove to the beautiful landscaped Aussie compound at Pundaquit and enjoyed the nice view of the Capones Islands from the beach. We stopped at three watering holes to eat, rest and have a refreshment.

These fieldtrip pictures have been put into this album. You got to scroll down because the first 15 images are all about the Japanese WWII guns:

www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157681103933174

All of the other 11 images of the field trip are presented here also but they are much smaller than in the album.



954. (0e). The two Imperial Japanese guns located in the Zambales Police Provincial Office, Camp C. Yap; we are looking from east to west. In this Corregidor Proboard Forum thread, a member and expert on the Japanese Hell Ships presented a lot of research findings, above in this thread, as to where these guns came from.

Randy Anderson, a well known personality here in Subic Bay, made a detailed research as to where these Japanese guns came from. He said that the information on the plaques conflicts. The Nissyu Maru wasn't sunk, doesn't appear to have ever been in Subic Bay, and finally I can't find another Japanese ship sunk in Subic Bay around that date.


This is the thread URL:
corregidor.proboards.com/thread/1801/japanese-guns-iba-airport




V967. (1a). Iba Air Port in Zambales, we are looking across the airfield from the west. When I first visited Iba, about 15 years ago the vehicle traffic went straight across the air field. The gates are now secured and the traffic flows outside the perimeter fence.
We all know what role the U.S. Army Air Corps Iba Air Field played in WWII in the defence of the Philippines.



V968. (1b). Iba Air Port in Zambales, we are looking down the runway, south, from the north end.



V969. (1c). This is a Google Earth image of the southern part of Zambales. Two friends and I took a field trip and I marked the spots, we visited.

Zambales always has a special place in my heart because it was here that Col Claude A. Thorp started the Guerrillas in the Philippines, as authorized by Gen. MacArthur, he was caught and was executed by the Japanese. Here is an URL about the Colonel from the Battling Bastards of Bataan:

www.battlingbastardsbataan.com/dizon.htm

The popular Filipino President Magsaysay was a guerrilla and came from here.



V970. (1d). This is the Bucao River, the biggest of all the Mt. Pinatubo Lahar Rivers. I started many of my hikes, right at this spot. This is the beginning of the trail from Botolan in Zambales to Capas in Tarlac. This is the easiest way to cross the Zambales Mountains and I am sure it was frequently used by the WWII guerrillas. Col Claude A, Thorp was on this trail!



V971. (1f). The Capones Islands off the beaches of Pundaquit Village, Municipality of San Antonio. Just north of here the Allies landed on the 29th of Jan. 1945 and liberated Bataan and the Manila Bay fortress islands from here in due time.



V972. (1g). Close-up image of the last one. All this area belongs to the Zambales Municipality San Antonio. The US Navy maintained the Communication Station San Miguel here which became the Philippine Navy Training Centre. Many of us expats still go there to play golf. It is about 4 km to our right, in this picture. Even today, that beach there is still being used for amphibious beach landing training. Because of all this past military activity we found our 2nd watering hole near there, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Home and restaurant. I am a member of the FRA!



V973. (1h). We see Pundaquit Village boats and Pundaquit Mountain from the Aussie and other expats compound. The son of the famous Guerrilla and submarine incursions coordinator Chick Parsons told me his father took their family often to that cove around that point after the war. It is a beautiful cove, I have been there.



V974. (1i). Paul Whitman, web master of Corregidor.org and our friend Gary Vodicka, a history buff from Texas, who visits many of the historic places in the Philippines frequently. After that we visited the 3rd watering hole, the CMC Bar and Grill / Double Suds Car Wash - Pundaquit's Most Popular Gathering Establishment! Provincial Road, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales



V975. (1j). This is the east side of Subic Bay; in the distance are Mt. Natib and Mt. Mariveles on the Bataan WWII Battle Field. At the foot of Mt. Natib, towards this direction, is Olongapo City and Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the former U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay, a place very dear to my heart!



V976. (1k). This is the west side of Subic Bay; in the distance we Grande Island, the former Fort Wint and the new Korean Shipyard Hanjin. That area used to be Green Beach the training area of the US Marine Corps. Closer in to the right the US Navy had a submarine base in 1945.



V977. (1m). This is a zoomed in image of the NE corner of the bay of Subic Bay. Right is, what we Sailors, called Snake Island. That structure is located in the Keppel Shipyard; the other 95% of the shipyard did not get in the picture. This shipyard was known to us in earlier time as PHILSECO. Left of the structure is what we sailors called Subic City; its actual name is Calapandayan Village. That was the infamous Red Light District, now there are only disco bars for the locals!

[Karl Welteke]

From Banaue thru Mt. Polis Pass to KP90.

On 21st March 2017, my friend Klaus and I left Banaue to reach the Mt. Data area. We had to go over the Mt. Polis Pass on the Banaue-Bontoc Road. Most pictures in this album are from the stretch from Mt. Polis Pass to near Bontoc. Only the last 7 images are from the Chico River and near Mt. Data.

I showed my friend part of the Cordillera but WWII History was on mind. KP90 (Kilometer Post # 90) was located at the intersection of the Cervantes to Buguias Road where it crossed the Baguio-Bontoc (Halsema Rd.).

I established this album in Photobucket with 61 images:

s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Philippines/Other%20Phil-Areas%20No%201/Baguio%20and%20north/Mt%20Polis%20Pass%202017-03-21?sort=9&page=1

In this forum presentation I used a map and the below paragraphs from an U.S. Army publication because they awoke my interest to have a closer look at this WWII battle area and exciting mountain area views. This is the source:

Triumph in the Philippines, by Robert Ross Smith. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF MILITARY HISTORY. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY. WASHINGTON, D.C., 1993. Chapter XXIX, Pursuit in Northern Luzon.


www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Triumph/USA-P-Triumph-29.html

Final Operations in Northern Luzon
XIV Corps plans for operations against the remainder of the Shobu Group differed only in detail from those I Corps had previously employed. Reduced to their simplest terms, both sets of plans called for the exertion of unremitting pressure against the Shobu Group wherever Shobu Group troops were to be found.

East of the Cagayan River the 37th Division, and for a time a regiment of the 6th Division, hampered by supply problems and torrential rains, patrolled vigorously, forcing Japanese troops ever farther into the Sierra Madre. From 1 July through 15 August the 37th Division and attached units killed about 1,000 Japanese east of the Cagayan, itself losing approximately 50 men killed and 125 wounded.




On the northwest and west, opposition was stronger and better organized. Here the 15th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), finally secured the Sabangan junction of Routes 4 and 11 on 9 July, and on the next day the 11th Infantry occupied Bontoc. The 19th Division's defenses in the Lepanto Mines-Mankayan area began to fall apart before attacks of the 66th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), on 10 July; Mankayan fell on the 20th. The 66th Infantry secured the junction of Routes 11 and 393 at KP 90 on 25 July, making contact the same day with troops of the 15th Infantry coming down Route 11 from Sabangan. The 19th Division now began withdrawing into the upper Agno Valley to block the northern, western, and southern approaches to Toccucan, at the western end of Yamashita's last-stand area in the Asin Valley. (Map 26) The 15th and 121st Regiments, USAFIP(NL), immediately began attacks toward Toccucan, but found the 19th Division remnants still capable of effective resistance. By 15 August the USAFIP(NL)'s leading units were four miles short of Toccucan on the northwest and a mile and a half short on the west.

Meanwhile, the 66th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had struck south from KP 90 along Route 11 to make contact with troops of the 32d Division, coming north from KP 21. The clearing of Route 11 north from Baguio had become a matter of pressing urgency because the heavy summer rains were making it nearly impossible to supply the USAFIP(NL) either by airdrop or over tortuous Route 4 from the west coast. Mixed forces of the 58th IMB and the 19th Division held along Route 11, their principal defenses located in the vicinity of Gambang, about five miles south of KP 90. Here, on 29 July, the 66th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), and the 127th Infantry, 32d Division, finally made contact.

Here are 16 sample images, they are smaller than in the album above and even reduced the maps about to 70%:


Z052. One of 10 images of a large valley, between the Banaue area and the Mt. Polis Pass, my friend Klaus and I were driving 2017-03-21 from Banaue to Mt. Data on the Halsema Road via Bontoc. The Mt. Polis Pass is in sight.



Z053. Thank you Google Earth, this shows the beginning of our route. This great valley must be the Asin River Valley that is mentioned in Triumph in the Philippines. I have not found that name on the maps yet.



Z054. This map is from:
Triumph in the Philippines, by Robert Ross Smith. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF MILITARY HISTORY. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY. WASHINGTON, D.C., 1993. Chapter XXIX, Pursuit in Northern Luzon.


www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Triumph/USA-P-Triumph-29.html



Z055. One of 14 images at the Mt. Polis Pass, I had a special interest in this pass, troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc and on 21 July made contact with the 1st Infantry, 6th Division, at Polis Pass.



Z056. One of 14 images at the Mt. Polis Pass, I had a special interest in this pass, troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc and on 21 July made contact with the 1st Infantry, 6th Division, at Polis Pass.



Z057. One of 15 images of our descend from the Mt. Polis pass towards Bontoc, passed the Bay-Yo rice terraces. Troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc and reached Mt. Polis Pass on 21 July 1945.



Z058. One of 15 images of our descend from the Mt. Polis pass towards Bontoc, passed the Bay-Yo rice terraces. Troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc and reached Mt. Polis Pass on 21 July 1945.



Z059. One of 15 images of our descend from the Mt. Polis pass towards Bontoc, passed the Bay-Yo rice terraces. Troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc and reached Mt. Polis Pass on 21 July 1945.



Z060. One of 16 images of our descend towards Bontoc, we passed the branch off road to Barlig and Paracelis in the town of Talubin. Troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc; reached Mt. Polis Pass on 21 July 1945.




Z061. One of 16 images of our descend towards Bontoc, we passed the branch off road to Barlig and Paracelis in the town of Talubin. Troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc; reached Mt. Polis Pass on 21 July 1945.




Z062. One of 16 images of our descend towards Bontoc, we passed the branch off road to Barlig and Paracelis in the town of Talubin. Troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc; reached Mt. Polis Pass on 21 July 1945.




Z063. One of 16 images of our descend towards Bontoc, we passed the branch off road to Barlig and Paracelis in the town of Talubin. Troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc; reached Mt. Polis Pass on 21 July 1945.



Z064. One of 16 images of our descend towards Bontoc, we passed the branch off road to Barlig and Paracelis in the town of Talubin. Troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc; reached Mt. Polis Pass on 21 July 1945.



Z065. One of 16 images of our descend towards Bontoc, we passed the branch off road to Barlig and Paracelis in the town of Talubin. Troops of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP(NL), had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc; reached Mt. Polis Pass on 21 July 1945.



Z066. One of three images of the Chico River, upstream, not far from Bontoc, 2017-03-21. We came from Banaue, passed thru Bontoc without stopping and wanted to reach the WWII site of KP90 (Kilometer Post #90), just passed Mt. Data.



Z067. One of three images at the general Mt. Data area; I don’t remember where this was exactly but is near Mt. Data and near the WWII site of KP90 (Kilometer Post #90). Refer to my US Gov. WWII map earlier in this album.

[Karl Welteke]

Old Philippine Houses, Juban Town, Sorsogon Province

In Sorsogon Province my family has a 2nd home and every time we go there we drive thru Juban Town.

The Welteke Family stopped in the Municipality of Juban, Sorsogon Province, Bicol Region and Republic of the Philippines and took these pictures of 4 old houses in this town. My wife is from Matnog Town, Sorsogon Province and we visit our 2nd home there every year. This time, 2017-04-04, we finally stopped and looked at these Great Old Houses.



Z068. This is one of 4 houses. I made an Album in my Flickr account with 19 images, this is the URL:

www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/sets/72157685361811455


When I hear the name Sorsogon then I think about the San Bernardino Strait. The Imperial Navy came thru here and sailed to its doom at the Marianna Turkey Shoot. The Coast Watcher in the province reported its passage thru the San Bernardino Strait. He was able to establish himself with the help of local guerrillas.

In Oct. 1944 the Imperial Navy came thru here again and caused havoc on Gen MacArthur’s landing in Leyte.

[Karl Welteke]

Subic Beach Round Trip

It was not planed but it turned out to be a round trip to Subic Beach. Subic Beach is a popular beach destination on Calintaan Island off the coast of Sorsogon Province in the San Bernardino Strait. I needed a ride back to our home in Bon-Ot Big and had to settle for a boat that had a stop at the Subic Beach. I enjoyed it because I had never been there.





Za137. Subic Beach on Calintaan Island in the San Bernardino Straits. I marked the wrong island as Capul, it is the island left of it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subic Beach on Calintaan Island in the San Bernardino Strait, the big terrain map picture. To me this is living in history! Living here is a great adventure.


Capul Island served as a guidepost for the Acapulco-Manila galleon trade vessels passing through the treacherous waters of San Bernardino Strait. The name Capul came from the word Acapulco, in Mexico. Copied from here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capul


Tom Jurika set up Gerald Chapman as a Coast Watcher Station around San Bernardino Strait. Gerald Chapman reported the massive Japanese Fleet sailing thru these straits on their way to the bottom of the Pacific at the Mariana Turkey Shoot. Read this story: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/1831/crossroads-history-crosshairs-enemy

Battle of Leyte Gulf: The "Center Force" under Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita—by far the most powerful of the attacking forces—would pass through the San Bernardino Strait into the Philippine Sea, turn southwards, and then also attack the landing area. He got turned back by some US Navy destroyers which fought to their death!






Za138. USS Essex (LHD 2) passes Capul Island going through the San Bernardino Straits.


My Navy used to and still sails thru these San Bernardino Straights: USS Essex (LHD 2) passes Capul Island going through the San Bernardino Straits.


USS Essex (LHD 2) passes the Capul Island Lighthouse as it transits through the San Bernardino Straits after completing a port visit to Subic Bay, Philippines. Essex and 31st MEU were in the Philippines to participate in bilateral exercises, Exercise Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX 07), with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFR). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael D. Kennedy (RELEASED)

I remember steaming thru here in 1978 on a Diving, Savage and Towing ship with two heavy tows and was thinking: “Would it not be nice to visit those Beaches?” I did and even found a home here! It was a memorable trip, because of the tow we were going slowly. All night long we saw lava stream down the flanks of Mt. Mayon.








Za139. My Round Trip Track to Subic Beach

My Round Trip Track to Subic Beach and travel thru the Strait between Juac and Calintaan Island. Subic Beach and Juac Fish Sanctuary on Juac Island are popular tourist destinations. You can find material in the www.







Za140. Driving thru the straits between Juac and Calintaan Island.

Driving thru the strait between Juac and Calintaan Island. I made an album in my Photobucket account with 87 images. This is the URL:

s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Philippines/No%201%20Bicol%20Sub%20Album/Subic%20Beach%20Round%20Trip%202016-04-19?sort=9&page=1

[Karl Welteke]

Uploaded to





Exploring Manila

Pasay City around U.S. V.A. Clinic and the Mall of Asia.

Some people dislike visiting Metro Manila, it seems like a big hassle to them. It is crowded, you get hassled and it is hard to get around!

I don’t mind visiting it and wander around. To me it is different than the cities I know in Europe or North America. It is almost exciting to me, certainly very interesting!

On 2017-08-17 I had an appointment with the VA at The US Embassy Seafront Compound along the former George Dewey Ave, now the Radial Road #1. Because I had time to kill I walked around and took these pictures and put them into this album with 26 images and they have descriptions:

s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Philippines/Manila%20Sub%20Album%20No%201/USVA%20MOA%20Pasay%2017-08-17?sort=9&page=1


In this forum presentation I only offer two pictures and they are even smaller also:






Za159. Passy map around EDSA and Radial-1 Roads Intersection.

On this Google Earth image I marked all the relevant views, structures, points or areas in this album with pictures in Pasay City, Metro Manila. More specific, the items marked are around the intersection EDSA and Radial 1 Road.






Za160. Japanese Embassy.

This is the Japanese Embassy; this is one of 4 shots along the Radial Road #1, east side, between the pedestrian bridge passing over the Radial Road #1 at the intersection with the Antonio S. Arnaiz Ave. and down to the EDSA intersection.

[Karl Welteke]

Above San Bernardino Straits 2016-04-23


This is one of my more memorable walks, went up to Cabagahan Village from Bon Ot Big Village and followed the ridge line down to the Culasi Village Road and then followed the shortcut trail to Bon Ot Big. I noticed that Typhoon Melor/Nona in Dec 2015 caused many coconut trees to fall. And I came across a National Weather Gadget installed on that ridge. The views are spectacular and the San Bernardino Straits are historical!






Za197. GPS track above San Bernardino Straits.

-My GPS track on a Google Earth image and I wrote in the geographic points.






Za198. GPS Track Data, above San Bernardino Straits.

-My GPS data of this walk, 13 km, 6 hours, 4 hours moving, total ascent 400 meter, I was pooped, remember this is the hot time of the year over here and I had sunshine all the way.





Za199. Terrain Map north of San Bernardino Straits.

-This is a terrain map of the general area where I made this great walk.





Za200. Bon Ot Big Valley View.

-A Bon Ot Big valley view. This is one of 8 images from the section of my walk from Bon Ot Big to the Cabagahan Village on top of the ridge.





Za201. Cabagahan Residents.

-About 200 meters from the top of the ridge where Cabagahan is I came across a house and this family. This is one of 8 images from the section of my walk from Bon Ot Big to the Cabagahan Village on top of the ridge.





Za202. Juac Island and Samar

-This view is in the direction of Juac Island and Samar. This is 1 of 9 views from a point just south of Cabagahan, swinging from left to right. Juac Island is a fish sanctuary and is a tourist spot.





Za203. Typhoon Melor/Nona in Dec 2015 damages.

-I noticed that Typhoon Melor/Nona in Dec 2015 caused many coconut trees to fall. This is 1 of 27 views from on top of the Cabagahan to Culasi Ridge.





Za204. Culasi Town, Calintaan Island and Capul Island

-This view is in the direction of Culasi Town, Calintaan Island and Capul Island. Capul Island got its name from Spanish Gallerias on their way to Acapulco in Mexico.





Za205. Calintaan Island.

That thinn stretch of land that seems to connect the two larger parts of the Calintaan Island is where the Subic Beach is located, on the south side.





Za206. Pentalum, SPIDAR WIND LIDAR.

-The young man was guarding this. I have been up here again this year and there is a work gang and contractors up here to build a big tower. I could not find out whether it was for weather or communications.
It is a device to measure wind speed and direction I assume. This URL has more info: www.pentalum.com/





Za207. Pentalum, SPIDAR WIND LIDAR.

-The young man was guarding this. I have been up here again this year and there is a work gang and contractors up here to build a big tower. I could not find out whether it was for weather or communications.
It is a device to measure wind speed and direction I assume. This URL has more info: www.pentalum.com/





Za208. Culasi Town, Calintaan Island and Capul Island

-This view is in the direction of Culasi Town, Calintaan Island and Capul Island. Capul Island got its name from Spanish Gallerias on their way to Acapulco in Mexico.





Za209. Water boy in Culasi.

-I descended down to the Matnog-Culasi Road; this road is rough, not for my car. Here is a water tab from the water supply pipe from the Culasi Valley towards Culasi in the San Bernardino Straits direction.
-From that place this young boy is hauling water up the shortcut trail to Bon Ot, on top of the ridge live several families, I will pass by there. This is the live in the province.





Za210. Culasi-Bon-Ot Short-Cut Trail

-I am on top of the short cut trail; looking back, we see the Culasi rice fields, the far Tikli Island off Matnog, Juac Island at right. The water boy beat me up here; I really was dragging my butt getting up here, 3 more km and I am home.

[Karl Welteke]

The Zambales-Tarlac Road

It existed as mostly a dirt track but was wiped out by Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

There are plans to rebuild it as a good highway.

It would save a lot of mileage if it was open between these two provinces.

This route is the easiest way to cross the Zambales Mountains.

I like to walk it, because it is a challenge, I still can handle.

On this route Lt. Col. Claude A. Thorp started to organize the Central Luzon Guerrilla Forces.

On the Tarlac side, in Santa Juliana Village he was captured and later executed.

Recent news reports said that the new Zambales-Tarlac Road should be finished this Nov.

It is in my neighborhood and I checked it out but only from the Botolan, Zambales side.

On the 24th Oct. 2017 I explored the roads leading to the starting point and 2 days later I walked about 12 km on the Botolan side where is construction is progressing.

My impression is that it might be finished in two years and only then if the money keeps flowing.
Instead of making an album, I will show only selected images that show the features of this project so a viewer may understand it and I will do it in segments.

This first segment is the geography:



Za396.GE map of the Zambales-Tarlac Road

This is a Google Earth map of the Zambales-Tarlac Road marked up for easier understanding




Za397. A section of the Botolan and Bucao River map.

A section of the 1:50000 Botolan and Bucao River map; it is old and I marked it up for easier understanding.







Za398. GPS track of Botolan and Baquilan Roads.

This is my GPS track from the 24th Oct. 2017 when I explored the old and new Zambales to Tarlac Roads with my car.




Za399. A Google Earth image of the Zambales-Tarlac Road.

This image gives the GPS track of about 12 km I walked on the new construction on the 26th Oct. 2017. I zoomed out to give the big picture of the road construction of the whole road.

[chadhill]

You are incredible, Karl! I hope you write a book someday about all of your explorations. I would buy many copies! Thanks again for sharing with those of us trapped in CONUS. Best, Chad

[Karl Welteke]

The Zambales-Tarlac Road

2nd Segment

News report said, that it was being build and some even said that it would be completed in Nov. this 2017, this year.

I am interested in this area for many reasons as stated before.

On the 24th Oct. 2017 I made a reconnaissance trip to find out, whether they are actually building it and whether I could walk it and start where.

Well, there is no doubt, that road us being build. And I can walk it and I picked a place to start.

Again, vice making an album, I present 15 pictures here about this reconnaissance trip.



Za400. The Zambales-Tarlac Road ends at the Baquilan River.

I looked for and found the Zambales-Tarlac Road but it ends at the west slopes of the Baquilan River Valley. It was started about 15 years ago but was constructed only to here; they did make some improvements on the road during this period.




Za401. Zambales-Tarlac Road Construction Notice Sign

This Zambales-Tarlac Road Construction Notice Sign is located at the Zambales-Tarlac Road where it ends at the west slopes of the Baquilan River Valley. It seems old. I remember seeing another one a long time ago at the Zambales National Highway, a few km north of Botolan. If you look close, one can see a concrete portion of the new highway next, right of the sign and across the valley. I decided to park here, descend down to the Baquilan River and cross it and walk the new road in 2 days time.




Za402. The Zambales-Tarlac Road ends at the Baquilan River

I looked for and found the Zambales-Tarlac Road but it ends at the west slopes of the Baquilan River Valley. It was started about 15 years ago but was constructed only to here; they did make some improvements on the road during this period. This is a great view up the Baquilan River Valley.





Za403. Baquilan River Mouth area.

This view of the Baquilan River Mouth area answered all my questions. Indeed the Zambales-Tarlac is being build, and where I will start my walk in 2 days time.




Za404. The Bucao River Dike and road to the Baquilan Village.

I returned to the old and original Zambales-Tarlac Road where it approaches the entrance to the new and large resettlement Village Baquilan. The Bucao Dike and road are being worked on. Dead ahead across the Baquilan River is the Baukok River Valley which the new Zambales-Tarlac Road is using.




Za405. The entrance to the resettlement village Baquilan.

I have been at this point many times, this has been the starting point for me to enter the huge Botolan Lahar Fields, to cross the Zambales Mountains and explore around here. This is also true for the local people coming and going the Botolan Lahar Fields.




Za406. The Bucao River Dike improvement 2017 Sign.

This dike protects the old Zamabales Tarlac Road , the road to Baquilan Village and most important the access to the vast Botolan Lahar Fields.



Za407. The Bucao River Dike and Road improvement 2017

This is the old Zambales-Tarlac Road, access to the vast Botolan Lahars Field and the Baquilan Village. The dike runs all the way west, to the Zambales National Highway (about 4 to 5 km). In recent history the dike broke and damaged this road and several villages.




Za408. Bucao River, Mt. Pinatubo

To me this view is awesome, to me it is visual sample how God made the earth. We are looking towards Mt Pinatubo who made this huge and vast lahars field. I estimate the area to be at the minimum of a square area of about 25 km each side. The Aeta (Negritos) are slowly re occupying this land again. To me this is also the area of the beginning of the Guerrilla Movement in the Philippines. And the Japanese from the Clark area retreated here and were hunted down to the last man.



Za409. The disappeared Baquilan Bridge is dead ahead.
The Zambales –Tarlac Road went straight ahead to a bridge across the Baquilan River, it is buried now. Left up the slopes is the resettlement village Baquilan. The narrow dirt, gravel road replaced the Tarlac Road and now all traffic to the Lahars Field and the construction of the new Zambales –Tarlac road is going that way.





Za410. The historical and disappeared Baquilan River Bridge 2002

This bridge is now completely gone, buried deep under the Lahar. The river bed of the Bucao River rose and blocked the Baquilan River discharge and so the Lahar built up and buried it for good. This is a 2002 picture from my friend Joss.




Za411. The mouth of the Baquilan River became a lake.

The river bed of the Bucao River rose and blocked the Baquilan River discharge and so the Lahar built up and this lake was formed. The people living or working in the Botolan Lahar Field got to cross the river /lake in a fording manner. Left, we are looking up the Baquilan River; right is the Buakok River Valley where the new Tarlac Road is being built now.



Za412. A Carabao and cart just crossed the Baquilan River.

This is a scene, I seen now a thousand times. I would say that 99% percent of all cargo traffic from and to the Botolan Lahar Field is going this way.




Za413. The Baquilan River in Zambales

The new Zambales –Tarlac Road has to cross the Baquilan River, but no bridge has been started yet. The track at left is used now to reach the river fording area and all vehicles constructing the new Zambales –Tarlac Road are going this way.




Za414. The new Zambales-Tarlac Road between Botolan and Baquilan.

The new Zambales-Tarlac Road between Botolan and Baquilan; this is near Baquilan and here it is not used much. But this section of road serves many other communities and in particular other resettlements for people who were driven out from the Botolan Lahar Field by the Mt. Pinatubo explosion in 1991.