IN THE TOWN OF BANGUI, just before reaching Pagudpud, a row of wind turbines stand beside the shore, their slender body and large blades towering above us. These gigantic structures were built by the NorthWind Power Development Corporation after a study discovered various places in the Philippines that were suitable for generating wind power.

Fifteen turbines were erected by 2005 as part of the first phase, and five more were added in 2008 as part of the second phase.

Other than the wind farm, there’s not much to see in Bangui, whose beaches are deep and have currents too strong to be conducive to swimming.