Salinlahi is a community magazine published by ISPSC, dedicated to the municipality of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur. This September 2026 issue (Vol. 245) is a travel and culture feature for residents, students, and anyone interested in the town's heritage. It opens with an editor's note and masthead, then explores the town's coastal and historical landmarks.
Salinlahi is a community magazine published by ISPSC, dedicated to the municipality of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur. This September 2026 issue (Vol. 245) is a travel and culture feature for residents, students, and anyone interested in the town's heritage. It opens with an editor's note and masthead, then explores the town's coastal and historical landmarks.
The first feature, 'Golden Shore,' describes Apatot Beach with its creamy-golden sand, tidal pools, and World War II history, including a US-Filipino guerrilla landing site. The 'Watching Over the Shore' section covers the Moro Watchtower (Bateria), a Spanish-era coral-stone fortification repurposed during WWII, now a weathered landmark on a hill.
The 'Carved by Hand' section highlights San Esteban's stonecraft, including the Piedra Pinoy hand-carved stone and the craft of woodworker Randy Somera from Barangay San Pablo. Somera, 57, has spent 35 years making furniture to support his family, reflecting the town's artisan traditions.
The issue also includes a community column, 'Anong Ganap,' and sections on the Kabaybayan Festival, the town's vision and mission, and the San Esteban Church with its Station of the Cross Prayer Garden. The magazine closes with 'Hearts and Crafts' and a story about the coastal town, ending with a back-cover feature.
Throughout, the magazine weaves together history, culture, and everyday life, emphasizing the town's identity as the 'land of stones.' It features contributions from a student editorial team, including editor-in-chief Sheela Marie Castro, and photojournalists, making it a collaborative student publication.