Palawan Island

We have arrived on Palawan Island, located in the western Philippines. This island is a stunning tropical paradise known for its unique geological formations and breathtaking beauty. The island was formed through a complex process involving the collision of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea tectonic plates, which uplifted the region and created its rugged terrain. This geological activity, coupled with the island's location within the Coral Triangle, has resulted in a diverse landscape that includes towering limestone cliffs, crystal-clear lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and an extensive cave system that has been carved over millions of years.

Often cited as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Palawan offers seemingly endless pristine natural scenery and abundant biodiversity. The island's beaches, such as those found in El Nido, our final destination, feature powdery white sand and azure waters teeming with marine life, making them perfect for snorkeling (one of my favorite activities). The lush forests and rich ecosystems support a variety of wildlife, some of which are endemic to the region. This is a tropical wonderland in every sense of the word. For today, I am posting four images of where we are staying for the next few days.

The El Nido Garden Resort (Our New Home)

Desiree on the Deck at One of the Rooms

The Ocean View from Our Pool

Against a Setting Sun

—Mitchell Hegman

Wild Goose Island

Perhaps one of the most iconic photographs of Montana is a capture of Wild Goose Island at Saint Mary Lake along Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. I have taken the photograph many times and seen it in prints and on screen many dozens of times.

When I walked into the house of an aunt and uncle of Desiree, I was shocked to see what is nearly the same image in a painting, but of someplace (presumably) in the Philippines. I am sharing a photograph of the painting (a bit wonky due to avoiding reflections). I am also sharing an image of Goose Lake. The resemblances are uncanny.

A Painting in Bayawan, Philippines

Wild Goose Island, Glacier National Park, Montana

—Mitchell Hegman

A List of Important Things to Know in the Philippines

Following is a list of important things to know in the Philippines:

1. A bathroom is called a “comfort room” or a “CR” in the Philippines.
2. Expect unusual reasons for flight delays or cancellations in the Philippines. Our next flight from Dumaguete, for example, is presently in question due to a volcano eruption on our island (Negros) that occurred a couple of days ago.
3. Driving within your own lane (and in the proper direction) is not a fixed requirement here.
4. The floors in many comfort rooms are almost constantly wet, and you’ll quickly understand why once you get here.
5. Don’t fear the local beers.
6. The heat index here (the apparent temperature based on relative humidity) is important in the same way the wind chill is important in a Montana winter.
7. Here on the islands, it may be possible to achieve sainthood by repairing air conditioning equipment.
8. Make firm arrangements for having toilet paper before you enter a comfort room.
9. Fish: it’s what’s for dinner.

This is What You Will Often See: Palm Trees With an Ocean View

—Mitchell Hegman

A Righteous Celebration

Birthdays are a big deal in the Philippines. As it so happened, yesterday was both Desiree’s birthday and the second anniversary of our marriage. To celebrate, we had a party Filipino style. This means all of the following: fancy decorations, catered food, lechon (roasted pig), a live band, karaoke, adult beverages, and more aunts, uncles, and cousins than you need to launch a full-on basketball league with ten teams.

We held the party at Desiree’s father’s house in Barangay Malabugas in Bayawan. A barangay, for the unfamiliar, is a small administrative division or neighborhood. In this instance, most of the people in the barangay are directly related to Desiree.

Great fun, this! The party lasted late into the humid, tropical night.

Decorations

Lechon (3 Roasted Pigs)

The Two of Us

Aunt Beula and Cousins

Desiree’s Immediate Family

The Tito Family

The Tumale Family

Gathering for the Feast

—Mitchell Hegman

The Fireworks Flower

I tend to like knowing the names of the flowers and plants that surround me wherever I go. Here in the Philippines, this tenet is proving somewhat difficult for two reasons. First, I am surrounded by many dozens of new things on a near-daily basis. Second, trees, flowers, and fruits may have a variety of names, given the cocktail of languages and dialects used within this country of many islands.

For this reason, I sometimes give a flower a name of my own choosing and move on. That is the case with the flower I am featuring a photograph (along with the lovely Mrs. Desiree Hegman) today. I call this a “fireworks flower” because it looks like a pyrotechnic display frozen in time. I fully understand there are smartphone apps that can assist (more like lead me) in finding names, but I am happy for now, as I stumble on in my tropically overheated ignorance.

The Fireworks Flower

—Mitchell Hegman

The Code Thing

I am a Code guy. I mean, I really enjoy studying and teaching the National Electrical Code—something I have been doing professionally for 19 years now. The very first section of the Code in the very first Article lays out the purpose of the Code, and it goes like this:

90.1 Purpose.

(A) Practical Safeguarding. The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. This Code is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual for untrained persons.

This is a pretty simple mandate, really. At the heart of this mandate are two pretty basic ideas:

1. The electricity can’t leak out of whatever is using it.
2. We can’t reach out and grab hot electrical stuff as we are walking by.

As a point of fact, not everyone has adopted the National Electrical Code, and not everyone is concerned with the “practical safeguarding” stuff.

Yes, Philippines, I am talking about you.

Today, I am posting three pictures as a small sample of the things I see on the street as I stroll along. Please note that these wiring systems operate at 220 volts. Additionally, the purpose of the box (featured in the last photograph) is to provide a safe place for “storing” the splices we make. This purpose was obviously ignored in this installation.

Meter Cluster (Angle 1)

Meter Cluster (Angle 2)

Messy Junction Box

—Mitchell Hegman

Strange Fruit (A Parallel)

Of all the possible things to find a parallel to regarding Montana and the Philippines, I found a parallel to one of the oddest fruits: the chokecherry (Prunus virginiana). Chokecherry is native to the entirety of Montana. In fact, I have two healthy bushes (call them trees if you like) in my yard.

Not everyone prefers the taste of a chokecherry, but I am a devoted fan. To me, the “taste” of a chokecherry is a cocktail mix between a cherry and the lidocaine dentists use as a numbing agent.

It’s weird, and I like it.

Chokecherries are a member of the rose family and can be abundant producers of fruit. The "choke" taste in chokecherries is primarily caused by the presence of astringent compounds known as tannins in the fruit. These tannins create a puckering sensation in the mouth.

This is where Lumboy (Duhat) fruit in the Philippines comes in. Though the berry-like fruit is larger and a bit juicier, the flavor and odd “choke” sensation are the same. I was astounded the first time I tasted one. I have since eaten many handfuls more. They are first cousin to our chokecherry.

Chokecherries (Image: Montana Public Radio)

Lumboy Fruit

—Mitchell Hegman