LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 21: EL FARO DE ISLA BATAG, Batag Island, Laoang, Northern Samar

The Lighthouse

The Faro De Isla Batag or the Batag Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse on Batag Island off the coast of the town of Laoang in the province of Northern Samar. This is the third major lighthouse fully designed and built by the Americans during the early part of the American colonization. The other two being the Faro De Isla Maniguin and Batag Light's exact replica, the Faro De Punta Patar or the Bolinao Lighthouse. It was first lit in 1908.

The light marks the northeastern point of Samar Island and lead vessels to the entrance of San Bernardino Strait marked by the San Bernardino Lighthouse. One of the most traveled waterways in the archipelago now and even during the American occupation, with the Capul Island Lighthouse, these stations are invaluable to vessels coming from the Pacific Ocean and entering the country through the San Bernardino Strait on its way to Manila or any ports of the Philippines.

Batag Lighthouse, together with with the Capul Island Light, was declared as a historic landmarks of the province of Northern Samar in 2008. Unfortunately, the lighthouse is no longer functional and most of the remaining structures are dilapidated. It is one of the lighthouses listed by the Coast Guard for adoption, allowing the use of its facilities and property in exchange of lighthouse's maintenance.

 

How To Reach Laoang

Getting to Laoang is very easy. It is accessible by air or by land. For this travel, Tess (my now-constant travel buddy) and I took the PAL flight via Catarman. 

From the airport, we hired a tricycle to the Catarman Bus Terminal where there are vans and jeepneys waiting for passengers going to Rawis. After one and a half hour, we reached Lietco (Laoang Intergrated Enterprises Terminal Complex) in Barangay Rawis (as the jeepney sign says) where we were greeted by the town's Tourism Officer, Ms. Jade Adora. 

Another tricycle ride to the port where pump boats are waiting to take passengers to Laoang town proper. 

What To See In Laong

Our visit to the Loaong was made very easy with the assistance of Ms. Jade Adora, who rendered a considerable amount of time and effort on a very short notice to accommodate us in Laoang. She took us around the town, gave us a brief tour, and provided us hefty information on town's modest history. 

The trip to Laoang will not be complete without visiting heritage sites like the St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church built in the 18th century by the Franciscan friars. The church is just situated in the center of the town. 

The tour ended with a courtesy call from Hon. Madelaine Mendoza-Ong.

The Way To Batag Island

From Laoang port, we hired a boat to get to Batag Island. The short trip took us around 30 minutes to reach our drop-off point, the Bgy. Marubay. We were accompanied by Ms. Adora's husband, Sir Ronnie Adora, and Sir Kiram during the entire Batag island trip.

We immediately started our traverse as we arrive by hiking to the top of the hill where the lighthouse is located. Although a habal-habal can be hired, we preferred to hike for the experience. It was an exciting hike because we got lost for a while, have to walk back and opt a different path until we reach the lighthouse after almost an hour.

Our Batag Island hike was bonebreaking (Yes! one of my most grueling hike to experience, so far) but worthy of the agony. One will be delighted and awed with the magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and other islands composing Laoang as you reach the lighthouse.

Visit Laoang, Northern Samar. Call or text Ms. Jade Adora, Laoang's Tourism Officer, at 09466573000 for more information.