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written & photographed by: fergus jm ducharme

Fort San PedroSights & Sounds of Ilo²

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From the Dock at San Pedro you can clearly seethe summit of Balaan Bukid across the GuimarasStraight – the cross marks the spot.

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The Guimaras Straights are pretty quiet at just past 10:00AM; but pump boats are still working between Jordan Wharf & either the Parolla or Ortiz Docks on the Ilo² side.

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The Shanty Town facing the Guimaras Straights where the Ortiz Pump Docksare located. Believe it not, it’s also a popular swimming hole. Personally, Iwouldn’t vouch for the “cleanliness” of the water anywhere along the Ilo² seafront.

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The pump boats head to the Jordan Wharf on Guimaras Island about every 5 minutes and it only takes about 15 minutes to complete the crossing.

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And those pump boats carry about 45 people and most often will wait in theirslip until they have a full load and no one seems to mind, ‘cause they’re nevermore than a few minutes waiting to fill up their loads.

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Now we move into the Fort San PedroDrive-In. When I first saw it I thought,wow that’s an odd place for a drive-intheatre…

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Well it’s not a movie drive-in. It’s what anyreasonably smart person would know is a drive-in restaurant. And apparently, these guys, I’mtold, serve the best BBQ Chicken in Ilo²

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Just think about it, having a great BBQ chickendinner while overlooking the Guimaras Straightsup close and personal!

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That’s the Jordan Wharf in the distance withan abandoned sugar mill on the far left of thephoto.

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Our Lady of the HolyRosary oversees theactivities in the Fortarea & the harbour.

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The plaque on The Monument of Our Lady reads:

This monument stands as a memento ofthe historical finding of the miraculousimage of our Lady of the Most Holy Rosaryin Fort San Pedro by Captain DiegoQuinones and his Filipino Spanish soldierson September 30, 1616. It was constructedby the Iloilo Devotees on the occasion ofthe solemn coronation of the Holy Imageon 8 October 1970. The Holy Image isenshrined and venerated at the San JoséPlacer Church , Plaza Libertad, Iloilo City.

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Leaving the Fort San Pedro in search of “The Wreck of the Road” and Nilo…

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It is an interesting view too! Don’t you think?

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One of the things you really have to get used towhen you live here or anywhere in the Philippines.Is the poverty and the way people have to live as aresult. But no one seems to mind – people herealways give you impression they are happy nomater what.

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And there is no such thing as the rulesof the road. As a friend once told me:“Oh they exist, but there is absolutelyno enforcement and as a result they aremere suggestions.

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Jomarie Acallar: friend, navigator, facilitator & assistant discoverer

Nilo Jimeno: friend, pilot, facilitator & assistant discoverer

Thank You!

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