Melo Villareal
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is a towering edifice located in the picturesque town of Bolinao in Pangasinan. This lighthouse is proudly standing for over ten decades atop the Punta Piedra Point. This magnificent construction is one of the five main lighthouses of this country and has been guiding the vessels and ships that cruise through the international passage down the West Philippine Sea.
Panoramic View of Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Architecture at its best
Located in the midst of the diverse flora, Cape Bolinao Lighthouse was constructed in the year 1905 by the Filipino, American, and British architects. It seconds the Cape Bojeador lighthouse situated in Burgos, Ilocos Norte in terms of height. It has become one of the well-known tourists spots in Pangasinan over the years.
Ruins of Cape Bolinao
The height of this lighthouse is 101 feet, i.e., 30.78-meters. If a person is standing on its top, then he or she will see a panoramic shot that encompasses the view of the aquamarine sea, stretches of the white sandy beach, rock formation, offshore reefs and gently sloping lush green hills.
Lighthouse in Bolinao Pangasinan
The soul of a lighthouse – the illumination room
Its 140-stepped spiral staircase escorts to the illumination room that is near about 76.2 meters above the sea level. It is said that the original lighting apparatus was created in England and lantern along with the chimneys and 3 wicks came from France. As replacing the spare parts was quite difficult, the Filipino machinists succeeded in manufacturing the accurate replicas for the same. The working mechanism of the illuminating apparatus was, more or less, similar to a clock with a pendulum, According to the head keeper of the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, the lamp is visible from, as far as, 44 kilometers. Can you imagine such a wonderful art of architecture?
Lighthouse in Bolinao: The Pride of Pangasinan
Fuel for energizing
Until the Pangasinan Electricity Board was extended, the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse was fuelled by kerosene, say for about 80 years or so. It was renovated in the year 1999 with the help of the extension of the loan package provided by the Japanese government to the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard). The renovation was not just limited to painting and repairing, but other new additions were also made, such as installing solar panels and beacon lights.
Cape Bolinao near Patar White Beach
One of the tallest lighthouse in the Philippines
Maintenance and preservation
Today, the municipal government has been taking care of this lighthouse. About one decade back Mayor Alfonso Celeste got into a MOA (memorandum of agreement) with the Philippine Coast Guard to take over the maintenance of the Cape Bolinao lighthouse for ensuring its preservation. According to the memorandum of agreement, the Philippine Coast Guard remains the sole owner of the property.
The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse – Declared as cultural heritage
The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse bears the history of this place and how it was created from scratch. This lighthouse was already declared as a cultural heritage site and now that this lighthouse has just become a tourists’ spot – no more the beacon lights glow, no more the ships are guided, but the lighthouse is still standing to proudly tell its history.
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