Guisi Lighthouse and Ruins in Guimaras
Posted on May 8, 2008
I first learned about Guisi Ruins and Lighthouse from Marc of Explore Iloilo. Since then I keep of bugging him to include this in our itinerary when I get to Guimaras. And finally, Last April 27, 2008, it was my first time to set foot in Guisi Lighthouse and Ruins in Barangay Dolores, in the town of Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.
The trip from Jordan Wharf to Guisi Lighthouse took almost 45 minutes to an hour. But the view leading to the place is spectacular. Vast plantations of mangoes can be seen either from the left or right of the highway. And since it was raining when we went to Guimaras, the unpaved road leading to the Guisi Lighthouse and ruins got muddy and walking uphill became some sort of a challenge without letting these pesky mud stick to your sandals.
But who would have thought that at the end of this unpaved and muddy is a gem befitting of the title National Cultural Treasure.
The Guisi Point Lighthouse was built during the 18th century to guide passing ships cruising along the Guimaras Strait. The original lighthouse tower is now full of rust that it might just collapse anytime from now. There is even a sign below the structure not to climb because of the imminent danger.
The second light facility was built just a few meters away from the rusty tower. And I suspect that the second tower was also built during the Spanish Era. Notice the directions placed on top of the lamp. It has N SE O. It stands for Norte, Sur, Este, Oeste. The four primary directions written in Spanish.
The third lighthouse is built somewhere in between the first and the second lighthouse. The third tower is painted white is in active and working condition. It is build beside the ruins of Guisi.
Aside from the lighthouse and ruins in Guisi, another pride of this place is its unspoilt beach. Not much of beachcombers here as compared to the popular Guimaras Beach site in Alubihod. And the view of the beach from the Lighthouse and Ruins is simply breathtaking.
Paradise Found!
The Philippine Department of Tourism is actually planning develop Guisi and build a view deck there by next year. Hopefully this plan would push through so that Guisi would further be campaigned as a new tourist destination.
» Filed Under Heritage Watch, Road Trip
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