watchtower

Aloguinsan, Cebu: Visiting the Spanish Watchtower Ruins at Baluarte Park

Posted on July 7, 2015

Aloguinsan’s main draw is the Bojo River Cruise, but the town proper has a few attractions worth dropping by before heading to the eco-tourism sites. One such attraction is the Baluarte Park, located right behind the municipal hall.  The heritage site is a small landscaped hill where, as its name suggests, ruins of a Spanish-period baluarte or watchtower built during the early 1800s still stand. The watchtower was built when Aloguinsan was a barrio of Pinamungajan. It was made into a separateRead More→

Maripipi & Sambawan Islands – The Jewels of Biliran

Posted on May 30, 2012

A grassy hill on Sambawan Islands provides an incredible vista of the island chain and mainland Maripipi. Picturesque rocky islets of Sambawan Islands After exploring mainland Biliran, I ventured farther to the Waray-speaking islands of Maripipi and Sambawan. Upon approaching the island municipality of Maripipi, northwest of mainland Biliran, a column of clouds ascended from its peak, providing a glimpse of its former self: an active volcano rising out of the Visayan Sea. Named after two lovers – Maria andRead More→

Currimao, Ilocos Norte: Pangil Coral Rock Gardens, Tabacalera Ruins & Spanish Watchtower Ruins

Posted on May 8, 2012

Pangil Coral Rock Gardens – a series of tidal pools and coralline rock formations stretching for more than two kilometers. Despite its exotic name, Currimao remains to be one of Ilocos Norte’s less-visited towns, just like neighboring Badoc. Actually, the town’s name carries a lot of history. During the Spanish period, when Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was still flourishing, Muslim pirates frequented the coast of the West Philippine Sea. Watchtowers were built at two strategic points, one at Arboledan Point and theRead More→