Lingayen Holiday

This pavilion houses a lot of old photos and exhibits showing what took place in this area in WWII.

Last Monday, looking forward to Memorial Day, we made a little trip with the other senior missionaries to Lingayen.  This is a city on the coast of the Lingayen Gulf, which was a significant theater of events in World War II.  We'd heard there was a nice war memorial there.  The Filipino people are, of course, very appreciative of the part the US played in liberating them from the Japanese in WWII.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingayen_Gulf

President Monahan's father served in the Lingayen area during the war.

I can't imagine how hot it would be, riding in a tank, in this climate.

Just across the street is the Provincial Capitol Building and we were able to tour that, as well.

This beautiful ediface is actually the back door to the capitol building!  Here are some pics of the front - - http://journeyingjames.com/2012/01/lingayen-capitol-complex-the-most-beautiful-in-the-philippines/
Apparently, the original building was destroyed by enemy shells, but it was rebuilt in the same style.

"Pangasinan" literally means "place of salt-making," and apparently, that's what the boiling kettle on the beach represents.  The fish are bangus, which are farmed and very plentiful in the area.  I haven't found an explanation of the little block pyramid.

Gorgeous woodwork throughout this building.  This is in the governor's office.

No one's offended here by government leaders showing their faith.  : )

This is awfully dark, but it's the beautiful Assembly Room.

The Roberts, the Shamrells, and the Monahans

The Gallery

From the roof/balcony, we could see a long way.  This is, I'm guessing, the governor's mansion.  But it's only a guess.  : )

After touring the capitol, we all went our separate ways.  Tony and I wanted a walk on the beach, which was just a couple blocks away.

A man walked by with a load of fishing gear.

He went a little way out into the water (there are no large waves, by the way) and established one end of his long fishing net.

Another guy took the other end several yards away

and planted it.  They waited just a little while, each pulling tight on his end.

Then they starting working their way back to shore,

pulling and pulling, hukilau-style.

Unfortunately, they brought in more spectators than anything else.

We saw just one small fish and a few little crabs.

Then they had to roll up their nets and go.

Many people prefer this method of fishing.

As always, the children we encountered were adorable.

And the sky and the scenery were beautiful!  A little sun was breaking through the clouds, creating a distant silver line on the water.

And gradually, more light.  (It wasn't actually dark out.  It was just late afternoon.)  If you look at a map of Lingayen Gulf, by the way, you'll see why there are mountains across the water, in the distance.  You're looking at Alaminos and Bolinao.  https://www.google.com.ph/maps/place/Lingayen+Gulf/@16.331481,120.1643372,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x33917e037b87980b:0x47e49713639f89cb?hl=en

A wonderful day.  We're very grateful for those whose sacrifice has ensured our freedom to enjoy it, at home or in the Philippines.  : )