Whenever my family goes on a trip, there is always a touch of history provided by my hubby Pepe. Whether we are inside a moving vehicle, walking in an old town, inside a Spanish-era church, or just about everywhere, he never fails to give us interesting historical background of the place we're visiting.
That's why our recent beach excursion to Calatagán, Batangas was not complete without visiting a historical site: the Spanish-era lighthouse of Cape Santiago! Family trips are really cool and great and awesome if you have a "Young Historian" husband. Naks! I'm your number one fan, my hubby Pepe! Don't you ever forget that! 😁
Actually, it was our second time to go there. The first time which was three years ago was not successful because nobody was around to guide us. We weren't even able to enter through the gate because it was locked with aroma vines! That's why we vowed to return!
Actually, it was our second time to go there. The first time which was three years ago was not successful because nobody was around to guide us. We weren't even able to enter through the gate because it was locked with aroma vines! That's why we vowed to return!
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| Unsuccessful visit three years ago (April 30, 2013). |
We reached Cape Santiago after a twenty-minute drive from Burot Beach. In Barrio Bagong Silang, we turned right to a small dirt road upon seeing a sign which leads to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is also visible from the highway. The dirt road goes through a forest of prickly aroma trees. It took us another five minutes to reach the lighthouse which stands on a hill a few meters from the beach. We had to park our ride and walk up the hill towards the gate leading to the the lighthouse.
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| We drove through a forest of prickly aroma trees. The place was a bit creepy, but then we saw a group of young people having a photography session. |
From what my hubby Pepe had gathered, the lighthouse of Cape Santiago is the oldest structure in Calatagán that was built in on December 15, 1890 during the Spanish colonial period. It is made of brick and lime. The round structure is 51 ft in height and was modeled after medieval castles in Europe. Its original light source is gone and has since been replaced by an automatic light bulb donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, perhaps as payment for what the Imperial Japanese Army did to the town of Calatagán (they turned it into a garrison during World War II). But even that donation is no longer in use due to lack of funds.
The moment you step inside, you will start to feel the antique aura of the building. Me, I'm actually delighted whenever I see old structures or even walls. I especially got fond of its red-bricked structure, so just imagine my excitement! I have become like my hubby Pepe, by the way. I have learned to love heritage structures. Some of my profile pictures in my Facebook account show me with old walls and other heritage structures. I love touching them because they make me feel as if I have lived during the time they were constructed. The feeling is so electrifyingly classic. =)
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| Cousins Kate and Krystal are very excited to climb up the antique steel steps of the lighthouse! |
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| The view from up here is breathtaking! |
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| I can't explain my excitement! |
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| La Familia Viajera on top of the Faro de Cabo Santiago! |
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| Yeah! Now our relatives have first-hand experience on how it is to travel like La Familia Viajera! |
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| Attention, heritage activists and advocates! |
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| Zoomed from below! |
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| What a romantic field to behold! |
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| Endless Love! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ |
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| I just love classic bricks! |
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| Bougainvillea lovin'! |
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| Classic view! |
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| Junífera Clarita with her Abuela Mommy! |
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| A 112-year-old mango tree right below the lighthouse! It's so old its branches are already touching the ground! |
Pictures here, pictures there, pictures everywhere! That is what you'll see me doing during our trips! And that's exactly what I was doing even while on our way to the top of the lighthouse (click here for more of our Cape Santiago Lighthouse photos)! The spiral steel stairway is very tall. Remember that the structure is 51 ft high, and there is not much ventilation on your way up. So if you plan to go up, bring a fan (abanico) along with you as well as bottled water. But when you reach the top of the lighthouse, you will forget all that climbing because of the awesome view! It's simply romantic, as if you're in a movie scene!
Always remember that when you're at the top of the lighthouse, you really, really have to be very careful moving about because the catwalk is very narrow. We also noticed a crack on the flooring, so try to restrain your excitement by not jumping. The government should allocate funds for this place because it is historic. Every piece of brick, the look and feel of it, it's historic. We are calling the attention of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Heritage Conservation Society to please help preserve the Cape Santiago Lighthouse. It may still be standing, but it still requires careful management. It is an important part of Calatagán's history. It is a pride of Batangas Province that should be promoted not only throughout the entire country but throughout the whole world.
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