Ballesteros, Gemstone Of The North
Posted by Oze Parrot on September 11th, 2007
During my recent visit to the Philippines, I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the northern part of Luzon and spend some time in Ballesteros.
Ballesteros is a vibrant, provincial city set on the picturesque north coast of Luzon facing the South China Sea. Backed by hundreds of hectares of lush rice fields, bounded by magnificent stands of coconut palms that shelter a multitude of other edible crops, Ballesteros is a major contributor to the country’s food supply.
The main street of ballesteros is a hive of activity, flanked by shops and business houses of all descriptions with a never ending stream of trikes transporting passengers in an orderly fashion. On my arrival, I was warmly greeted by a group of friendly locals who directed me to my quarters at Centro West, a very neat and well maintained Barangay at the fringe of the main business district.
After I had settled in, I spent many days exploring the city and getting to know many of the locals whom, I found to be friendly and courteous. I was directed to the market place, which is only a short walk from the central business district, and I found that just about everybody in town visits there every day. The market place emits a feverish atmosphere as traders aggressively offer their wares, groceries and produce for sale, to a mass of people who are eager to obtain their daily needs, at a bargain price.
I found many sporting facilities being used on a daily basis, with an auditorium in every Barangay to cater for the many avid basket ball players that live in the district. The civic center in Centro Ballesteros has a huge auditorium that is used for sporting events, festivals and concerts. The area is accessed via a well maintained park containing a fountain, grotto and monument all surrounded by carefully manicured shrubs and plants.
There are many schools and churches in Ballesteros, as well as a host of essential services. The high school is located on a headland that faces the sea and overlooks a magnificent blue sandy beach that extends in either direction for as far as the eye can see. I spent many enjoyable hours relaxing on this expanse of beach that has not yet been spoiled by human intervention.
I was sad to leave Ballesteros as I had become fond of the people and the delightful atmosphere that exists there, however I can look forward to returning in the not too distant future, to this gemstone of the north.
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