LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 06 : EL FARO DE CABO SANTIAGO, Calatagan, Batangas

After that long, very accomplished day of Lobo adventures, we bid goodbye to my very generous friend, Karen Castillo, and headed back to Batangas City where we will stay for the night and prepare for our trip to Calatagan the next day.

By the way, the day before I went to Lobo, I told a pasaway friend about my plans and right there and then she decided to come with me. So it's not really a solo trip - I have an asungot with me, well, a very nice asungot naman, hehe. Peace, Tecla Nanez!

The plan is to visit the El Faro De Cabo Santiago or Faro De Punta Santiago, well, others call it Cape Santiago. From Batangas City terminal, we took the bus to Lian. From Lian Public Market, there are jeepneys for Calatagan Town Proper. Then a tricycle will take you to the parola.

Being on our own and entirely clueless of where to get the ride, we roam around Lian town on foot looking for the jeepney terminal. We were unaware that we are being observed by the traffic enforcer, knowing probably we were tourists, we were led to our point of destination thru PA system. Yes, he talked to us using the microphone telling "Dito po ang sakayan papuntang Calatagan (looking and pointing on us). Opo, lagpas na po kayo!" Hilarious! Now the whole town knows where we are going hahaha!

Finally, we reached Calatagan. That 13 kilometer stretch took us more than an hour, not because of the traffic but because the jeepney ride was toooo slow! Anyway, we had lunch to relieve ourselves when we reached the town proper and then had to barter for the tricycle driver. He charged us 400 pesos, round-trip, for that lighthouse trip. Whew, ok, ok!

We met the caretaker along the way to get a permit and to guide us to the lighthouse's facilities. He then explained that they would ask for donations to maintain the lighthouse.

Cape Santiago is located on the western tip of Calatagan shoreline and standing on top of the cliff by the shore. The lighthouse has kept its grandeur state over the years, and unlike the Malabrigo Lighthouse, the structures are not painted - making it appears really, really old but properly maintained. It was built in 1890  and one of the oldest working Spanish lighthouses in the Philippines.

We were not able to climb the tower back in Malabrigo, but here it's permitted. The view from the top is spectacular looking at the clear blue waters of Calatagan Bay and beach fronts in the surroundings.

We headed back to Manila that afternoon overwhelmed with fulfillment. Tecla realized that it is indeed fun to travel with LakbayLoyd and would definitely not miss coming with me on any of my future trips! Where and when would be next? Anytime and anywhere, we will cross every street and bridge to get there.

LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 05 : FARO DE PUNTA DE MALABRIGO, Lobo, Batangas

My fascination to visit different lighthouses heightened and I am determined to add more to my list. My eagerness led me to visit the nearby province of Batangas where there are two existing old lighthouses namely, the Malabrigo Lighthouse in Lobo and the Cape Santiago Lighthouse in Calatagan,

Based on the materials I gathered from the net, I immediately planned my way to Lobo and Calatagan. Traversing Batangas province from extreme southern tip of the province to the extreme southwest tip may seem to be strenuous, but I know the difficulty will be paid off.

First destination - Faro De Punta De Malabrigo (Malabrigo Lighthouse)

Getting to Lobo is not that easy as I thought. There will be four transfers if you are going solo - bus to Batangas City Central Terminal from Manila, jeepney ride to Lobo terminal located in the city proper, then a long and winding 3-hour ride, again by jeepney, going to Lobo proper. To get to to the lighthouse is via tricycle which will take 15-20 minutes and would cost roughly 150-200 pesos, one way. Luckily, a former colleague who lives there found out from my FB account that I was going there and she offered me take me to the lighthouse plus other places in Lobo.

But getting to the lighthouse is my ultimate purpose. Seeing the lighthouse to its original glory was quite an amazement. Thanks to the Adopt-A-Lighthouse program by the government. The lighthouse is currently taken care of the Thomson family (Akiko is one) and is currently in very good shape.

The lighthouse was built in 1896 and I was delighted to see that despite it's centennial age, the structures are intact and well-preserved. We were not able to climb the tower, I am not sure if it's permitted. But nontheless, a must-visit for tourists and travelers.

LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 04 : FARO DE CABO ENGANO, Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan

Faro de Cabo Engano, or Cape Engano, was built in 1892. This historic landmark stands in the extreme northeastern end of Luzon and situated on the highest point in Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

Recently, Palaui Island was featured as a location for the reality show "Survivor" which earned the island's popularity among local and foreign tourists. Aside from the white sand beaches, the lighthouse is frequently visited because of the scenic view it can offer.

Cape Engano was part of the masterplan by the Spaniards to illuminate the whole Philippine archipelago (also part of the plan is the Cape Bojeador). But, just like most of the lighthouses built during the Spanish era, Cape Engano was unkept and left in ruins at the turn of the 20th century. Now, the octagonal stone tower and keeper's house are still standing but somehow the structures were dilapidated and cracked.

Hoping to preserve its historical and cultural significance, Cape Engano was declared as National Cultural Heritage site by the National Historical Commission.

To get there : Take the bus to Tuguegarao City from Manila (10 hours). From Tuguegarao, take a van going to Sta, Ana (2.5  hours). Take a tricycle to get you to San Vicente Port. Register at the Tourism Office, pay the banca ride (good for 5) for the entire day going to and from Palaui Island.

LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 03 : FARO DE CABO BOJEADOR, Burgos, Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte is one of my favorite provinces in the Philippines and also one of my frequently visited places. And one of best part of my travel activity in Ilocos is to hike up on Vigia de Nagparitan Hill where the Faro De Cabo Bojeador, or commonly known as Cape Bojeador or Burgos Lighthouse, is located.

This magnificent structure was built in 1890 and still functions as a welcoming beacon to international vessels entering the Philippines from the north. From top of the hill or top of the light tower, the spectacular view of the West Philippine Sea and the awesome Ilocos seascape can be seen.

As one of the few remaining active lighthouses built by the Spaniards, Cape Bojeador was declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2005 by the National Museum. Currently, it is the most visited lighthouses in the country because of its iconic design and accessibility. The paved road leading to the lighthouse is well maintained and convenient for any type of transportation. Even hiking up the hill is pleasurable.

LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 02 : FARO DE ISLA CORREGIDOR, Corregidor Island, Cavite

My experience with this lighthouse is that, I never knew that this is a lighthouse. All I know is that it's one of the a war monuments in Corregidor Island, with a view deck for tourists to get a glimpse of  the bay surrounding the island, a museum and souvenir shops for visitors. I also thought of it as a church's bell tower because of its cross-shaped windows, and that's it!

Until I read about it in one of the fellow blogger's site, I finally realized that it is a working lighthouse, to my surprise haha!

Yes, this lighthouse is historically relevant. It was built n 1835 to guide ships entering the Manila Bay. It was damaged, though, during the World War II and was rebuilt using some of its original components from ruins (good job!). Probably the most unique in terms of design, the lighthouse's main octagonal tower stood right in the center of the 12-sided base.

The Corregidor tour costs around 2,000 pesos inclusive of buffet lunch. The tickets can be bought online from Sun Cruises Tours or directly from their ticketing office at the CCP Complex.

This is my first visit in Corregidor Island as an adult and never knew what this structure's significance to the history was. Maybe the tour operators might need to include explaining the importance on this Spanish historical landmark - aside from the American ruins and Japanese invasion orientation for that whole day duration of the packaged tour.

LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 01 : BASCO LIGHTHOUSE, Batanes

One of the highlights of visiting Batanes is the Basco Lighthouse.

Located in Naidi Hills, Batan Island, the lighthouse was completed in 2003 and was built not only for sea navigation purposes but also as a major tourist attraction in the island. It has a viewing deck with a view of the whole Batan Island.

LIGHTHOUSES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Lighthouses (parola in Tagalog, faro or farola in Spanish) are significant structures found in almost all the islands in the Philippines. A number of these lighthouses were originally built during the Spanish era and served important roles in the maritime industry during that period.

As time goes by, only some of the original Spanish lighthouses survived and many of them were ruined during the Japanese War, or natural calamities like earthquakes and tropical climate. Some were either rebuilt to their original design, but mostly were replaced and/or left decaying.

Of all the lighthouses in the Philippine history, the oldest documented structure is the Pasig River Light, with an old name Faro Y Luces de Rio Pasig, dated back in 1642. It has been rebuilt several times, and on this present day, with a more modern design which they say, has lost its original grandeur.

The original Faro Y Luces de Rio Pasig.

Old and new existing lighthouses in the country may come in different forms and structures. Settled on top of a hill or along a visible shoreline, these lighthouses are witnesses to rage and calm of the sea. Others say lighthouses signify melancholy, but not for me. I think they are fascinating for the nostalgia they bring, and romantic for its proud isolation constantly looking after every sunrise and sunsets.

Follow me as I walk, hike, climb and set foot on these historically important must-visited lighthouses in the country.