National Cultural Treasure Series - SAN ANDRES APOSTOL PARISH CHURCH, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte - PH-01-0006-NCT

Number 6 on the list - the San Andres Apostol Parish Church (Iglesia Parroquial de San Andrés Apóstol) or most commonly known as the Bacarra Church is famous for its centuries-old, domeless or "beheaded" belfry known as Torre ti Bacarra. This is the town's most prized heritage.The original bell tower, which is detached from the main church building and made of coral bricks dates back to the 16th century and stands 50 meters.

Indigenous materials were used for the construction. Coral bricks made of sticky clay and molasses mixed with leaves and tree trunks of a tree soaked in water or “sablot” were used instead of cement, granite or adobe stones. The mixture resulted in a sticky fluid which was then combined with lime from ashes of burnt shells. The bricks were pieced together with stucco, the mixture beaten to paste. All the labor was manual.

The tower is known as the "Acrobatic Bell Tower of Bacarra". The locals also called it the “Bowing Belltower of Bacarra” while the tourists referred to it as the “Leaning Tower of the North.

The church museum, known as Museo de Bacarra, is housed in the former church convent. The two-story restored convent, which dates to the Spanish colonial era, features religious artifacts from archival photos and documents and church relics and cultural artifacts mostly contributed by the people of Bacarra.A mysterious underground staircase leading to three tunnels – believed to be connected to the Bacarra river, the church tower, and the altar – was uncovered at the back of the old convent.

The church's facade was originally of Baroque architecture. In 1973, the tower became a National Cultural Treasure by virtue of Presidential Decree 260.

National Cultural Treasure Series - PAOAY CHURCH, Ilocos Norte - PH-01-0004-NCT

Paoay, Ilocos Norte's most famous landmark, the Paoay Church,also known as the St. Augustine Church, is #4 in the National Cultural Treasure's list. Paoay Church is also one of the four Baroque churches in the Philippines declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Built of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks, the architecture is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental. Construction of the church was started in 1704 and completed in 1894. A few meters away is the coralstone belltower which served as observation post of the Katipuneros during the revolution.

National Cultural Treasure Series - CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE - PH-01-0002-NCT

Travellers to North Luzon will definitely recognize and visit this historic landmark.

Faro De Cabo Bojeador, or commonly known as Cape Bojeador or Burgos Lighthouse, is located in Vigia de Nagparitan Hill, Burgos, Ilocos Norte. 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.

Completed on the 30th of March, 1892, the design and construction of the Lighthouse of Cape Bojeador was initially undertaken by the Engineer Magin Pers y Pers but was subsequently reconfigured and finished by the Engineer Guillermo Brockman. Built of locally made brick, the tower is octagonally-shaped and has an inner dimension of two meters and an exterior dimension of three and half meters.

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.

New List, New LakbayLoyd Series

I came up with a list of historic Lighthouses in the Philippines in 2014 and made a commitment to visit all of them.  To date, I only have one lighthouse left in my list, the El Faro De Cabo Melville, which I am scheduled to visit in July 2016.

Therefore, I decided to come up with another list with new agenda and purposes. This time I intend to visit every structure declared as National Cultural Treasure. I realized I am done with almost half fo the list therefore I still have the other half to fulfill and get someplace.

Here's my new list.

National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines

1 Burial Caves in Sitio Alabok, Cambali, Bagulin, La Union
2 Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Burgos, Ilocos Norte
3 Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church, Calasiao, Pangasinan
4 Paoay Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
5 San Andres Apostol Parish Church, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte
6 San Guillermo de Aquitania Parish Church, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur
7 Mestizo Section, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
8 Santa Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church, Luna, La Union
9 Watchtowers of La Union: Bacnotan, Balaoan, Luna, San Fernando and San Juan Bacnotan,Balaoan, Luna,San Fernando and San Juan, La Union
10 San Carlos Borromeo Parish Church, Mahatao, Batanes
11 Saint Matthias Church , Tumauini, Isabela
12 San Raymundo de Peñafort Parish Church, Rizal, Cagayan
13 San Vincent Ferrer Parish Church, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya
14 San Andres Apostol Parish Church, Masinloc, Zambales
15 Santa Monica Parish Church, Minalin, Pampanga
16 Santiago Apostol Parish Church, Guagua, Pampanga
17 San Juan Bautista Parish Church, Tabaco, Albay
18 Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Parish Church, Daraga, Albay
19 San Joaquin Parish Church, San Joaquin, Iloilo
20 Panay Church, Panay, Capiz
21 Santa Barbara Parish Church, Santa Barbara, Iloilo
22 Watchtowers of Bohol: Maribojoc, Dauis, Panglao, Pamilacan, Loay and Balilihanm Maribojoc, Dauis, Panglao, Pamilacan, Loay, Balilihan, Bohol
23 Inmaculada Concepcion Parish Church, Baclayon, Bohol
24 Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish Church, Loon, Bohol
25 Santisima Trinidad Parish Church, Loay, Bohol
26 Santo Niño Parish Church, Cortes, Bohol
27 Dimiao Church, Dimiao, Bohol
28 San Pedro Apostol Parish Church, Loboc, Bohol
29 Santa Cruz Parish Church, Maribojoc, Bohol
30 Dauis Church , Dauis, Bohol
31 Nuestra Señora de Patrocinio Parish Church, Boljoon, Cebu
32 San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Lazi, Siquijor
33 San Agustin Parish Church, Bacong, Negros Oriental
34 Inmaculada Concepcion Parish Church, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
35 San Ignacio de Loyola Parish Church, Capul, Northern Samar
36 Relief Map of Mindanao, Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte
37 Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
38 Inmaculada Concepcion Parish Church, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental
39 Iglesia Parroquial De San Juan Bautista, Jimenez, Misamis Occidental
40 Balangays in the Vicinity of Butuan, Butuan, Agusan del Norte
41 Karim Ul-Makhdum Mosque, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi
42 Kawayan Torogan , Tugaya, Lanao del Sur
43 Ifugao Rice Terraces, Banaue, Ifugao
44 Mummy Caves of Alab, Bontoc, Mountain Province
45 Mummy Caves of Kabayan, Kabayan, Benguet
46 Mummy Caves of Sagada, Sagada, Mountain Province
47 Petroglyphs of Alab, Bontoc, Mountain Province
48 Stone Agricultural Calendars of Dap-ay Guiday in Besao, Bontoc, Mountain Province
49 Santa Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church, Tayum, Abra
50 San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila
51 Santa Ana Site Museum, Santa Ana, Manila, Metro Manila
52 Camarin de la Virgen of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Parish Church, Santa Ana, Manila, Metro Manila
53 Manila Metropolitan Theater, Manila, Metro Manila
54 Bonifacio Monument, Caloocan, Metro Manila
55 University of Santo Tomas Main Building, Central Seminary, Arch of the Centuries and Open Spaces, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila
56 San Sebastian Church, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila
57 Santo Domingo Church Complex and its Liturgical Objects, Quezon City, Metro Manila
58 Rizal Monument, Manila, Metro Manila
59 Las Piñas Bamboo Organ, Las Piñas City, Metro Manila
60 Basilica Minor of San Miguel Arcangel, Tayabas, Quezon
61 Immaculate Concecption Parish Church, Balayan, Batangas
62 Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Church, Maragondon, Cavite
63 Angono Petroglyphs, Angono, Rizal
64 San Gregorio Magno Parish Church, Majayjay, Laguna
65 San Ildefonso Parish Church, Tanay, Rizal
66 Historic Bridges of Tayabas: Alitao, Isabel II, Francisco de Asis, Gibanga, Malagonlong, Lakawan, Mate, Ese, Despedida, Tuloy and Princesa,Tayabas, Quezon
67 San Jose de Romblon Cathedral, Romblon, Romblon
68 Petroglyphs in the Caves of the Tao't Bato Area, Quezon, Palawan
69 Tabon Cave Complex, Quezon, Palawan
70 Twin Forts of Romblon: Fuerza de San Antonio and Fuerza de Santiago, Romblon, Romblon

LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 26: EL FARO DE ISLOTE DE SAN BERNARDINO, San Bernardino Strait, Northern Samar

San Bernardino Island Lighthouse was originally my 23rd on my list of century-old Philippine lighthouses to visit only to be followed by Bagatao, Bugui and Gintotolo lighthouses. Due to some unforseen turn of events, I had to postpone this trip three times.

January 08 - There was a gale warning issued by PAGASA due to amihan or northeast monsoon usually being experienced during this time of the year. I was adviced by Sir Dan Intong to cancel my trip and re-schedule it for summer (March onwards).

March 16 -  Booked for Catarman, San Bernardino Lighthouse was part of the Northern Samar trip alongside with Batag and Capul. We ran short of time on the third day and needed to postpone San Berdnardino Island visit for the second time.

April 10 - I was ready to visit the San Bernardino Island and everything was set. It was confirmed that there is no amihan during that time. After my Bagatao trip, I headed for Bulusan from Magallanes, Sorsogon to meet Sir Ron Camara for the pre-arranged guided tour. I arrived in Bulusan at 9:00 that morning, checked-in to Bulusan Homestay with the help of Mai of Bulusan Tourism Office, had breakfast, and prepared for the lighthouse trip - then received a text at 10:00 from Sir Ron that the trip has to be cancelled again due to unexpected amihan and the current was unsafe for any type of water vehicles (again!) so I decided to go to Masbate instead.

Finally, after three unsuccessful attempts, the ultimate challenge to come, see and conquer the elusive Faro De Islote De San Bernardino happened on this 13th day of June, 2015!

The San Bernardino Strait is known to be tedious and hazardous. It was specially feared because of its shifting tides and treacherous currents, not to mention the shoals, rocks, and the low-lying islands which menace safe travel. I was so fortunate not to experience any sign of danger, the waters are still and calm during my entire San Bernardino trip.

El Faro De Islote De San Bernardino

Construction of El Faro De Islote De San Bernardino started in 1891 and lit in December 1896. It was designed by Guillermo Brockman, the same architect who designed the Isla De Capul Lighthouse. The building structures remained unfinished by the end of the Spanish era and construction was later continued and became functional during the American occupation in the Philippines.

Considered as one of the most important Spanish lighthouses, it's location was also considered as the most convenient passage in and out of Manila going to and from the Pacific Ocean. The San Bernardino Lighthouse is part of the network of lighthouses found in the region (Capul, Bagatao, Bugui) intended to guide ships during the Spanish Colonial Era to warn and guide vessels entering this dangerous body of water. The famed Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade route relied on this passage and depended in the help of native navigators who had mastered the treacherous current of the strait. Leaving the ship in the hands of an unskilled navigator would doom a ship's voyage.

The San Bernardino Island is most accessible and nearest from Bulusan. Formerly under the jurisdiction of the Sorsogon Provincial government,  the island is now under the jurisdiction of the Northern Samar province. Visitors of Biri Island include visiting the San Bernardino Island hopping in their itinerary.

As of the time of this writing, the San Bernardino Lighthouse is not as totally ruined as most of old lighthouses I already visited, This is the only one with its roof completely intact. The original Fresnel light was replaced with a new one but not functioning - its battery damaged and the solar panels missing (or stolen, perhaps). This structure, with the local government's initiative for an immediate minor repair, can become functional again.

How I got There

This trip was not really intended for Bulusan, Sorsogon but for Puerto Princesa for my planned visit to El Faro De Cabo Melville (Cape Melville Lighthouse) located in the northernmost and remotest island in the Philippines nearest to Sabah, Malaysia - the Balabac Island. I had to cancel my flight to Puerto Princesa due to some politically unfavorable news, as relayed by the local tourism office of Balabac.

Not wanting to stay at home for the next three days, I packed my bag, went to Edsa Pasay and looked for possible means to get to Bulusan. Good thing there's this ELAVIL Bus plying from Pasay to Bulusan leaving the terminal at 7:30 pm everyday. But what was supposed to be a 12-hour trip turned into a 15-hour grueling trip. Lesson learned - I would have taken the buses going to Legazpi (Philtranco, DLTB) for they are more convenient in terms of comfort and speed. Then taking a van, either for Sorsogon City or Gubat, is relatively faster.

Arriving in Bulusan became very convenient and favorable as Sir Ron Camara managed everything for me. He picked me up from the ELAVIL bus station and was very generous to offer his house and prepared some breakfast before going to the San Bernardino Island.

From Bgy. Sabang, Bulusan, we traversed the calm San Bernardino Strait (known to be treacherous at times) going to San Bernardino Island which lasted for 45 minutes by pumpboat. Small and inhabited, the island offers a magnificent view of the Sorsogon Peninsula, the Bulusan Volcano and nearby Capul and Biri Islands. The island also has became a nesting and breeding ground for thousands of common terns.

Sir Ron took me to a familiarization tour of Bulusan after visiting the lighthouse and went to the frequently visited and nearby Nasipit Falls and Embarcadero Watch Tower. The Sabang and Dancalan beach front offers a perfect view of the sunrise and a closer view of the peak of the Bulusan Volcano.

With acknowledgement also to Ms. Debbie Eneria, the Bulusan Municipal Tourism Officer and her staff, MaiMai, for the delightfully refreshing halo-halo treat after that drenching island trip, and for arranging my accommodation in the nearby Villa Luisa Celeste Resort. Before we called off that back-breaking but enlightening day, Sir Ron and friends joined me in a delightful dinner and drinks at Eva's Beach Park across the street from Villa Celeste.

With Sir Ron Camara and Ms. Debbie Eneria