Cape Engaño Lighthouse, also known as Faro de Cabo Engaño (Filipino: Parola ng Tangos Engaño), is a historic lighthouse located at Cape Engaño on Palaui Island in the town of Santa Ana, the province of Cagayan, Philippines.[2] Located at the northernmost part of Luzon Island and situated atop the summit of a hill, 92 meters above sea level, the lighthouse provides a 360-degree view of Babuyan Island and the Dos Hermanas Island (Two Sisters) on the North, Pacific Ocean on the West and Engaño cove on the East.
 The lighthouse on Palaui Island was built during the Spanish colonial era and first lit on December 30, 1892. | |
 | |
| Location | Palaui Island Santa Ana Cagayan Philippines |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 18°34′47.51″N 122°8′15.68″E / 18.5798639°N 122.1376889°E |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1892 |
| Construction | Stone |
| Height | 14.5 metres (48 ft) |
| Shape | Octagonal tower with balcony and lantern removed, in the middle of an enclosed court |
| Markings | Light gray tower |
| Power source | solar power  |
| Heritage | Important Cultural Property |
| Fog signal | none |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1892 |
| Focal height | 100 metres (330 ft) |
| Lens | first-order catadioptric lens |
| Range | 27 nautical miles (50 km; 31 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 5s.[1] |
Cape Engaño Lighthouse is now under the supervision of the Department of Transportation and Communications through the Philippine Coast Guard's lighthouse division.[3]
History edit
Faro de Cabo Engaño is one of the four lighthouses built during the Spanish colonial period, which served as gateway lighthouse for incoming ships. The construction started on 21 September 1888 and finished on 31 December 1892, wherein most of the labourers are Filipinos.
The Jamorabon family edit
The Cape Engaño Lighthouse was for generations the home of the Jamorabons. They also worked as lighthouse keepers, notably Gregorio Jamorabon, the longest-servicing keeper. The complex used to shelter seven crew members tasked to maintain the lighthouse. At that time, according to Teresa Jamorabon, late wife of Gregorio Jamorabon, the lighthouse was the only place where residents enjoyed electricity.
Teresa Jamorabon described how well the government took care of the lighthouse keepers and the station. Their rations of rice, beans, noodles, cooking oil and kerosene arrived every month and were shared equally among the workers, regardless of rank.
According to the Jamorabons, the name of the lighthouse was given by Spaniard seafarers when they first set foot on the cape and were so stunned by its natural beauty that they named it "Engaño".[4]
Structure edit
The structure was initially designed by Engineer Magin Pers y Pers, who also designed the lighthouses on Cape Bojeador and Capones Island; further design work was provided by Guillermo Brockman.
The lighthouse complex is composed of the housing pavilion that served as an office and workers quarter, the service buildings that served as kitchen and storage, and the 11-meter octagonal tower that houses the crown and the copper lantern (but was now a solar-based lighting mechanism) that is visible in all angles of the lighthouse. This was all built using local materials, masonry and hardwood.[5]
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The lighthouse in 2011 -
The NHCP historical marker at the base of the lighthouse
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See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Coast Guard District North Eastern Luzon". Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
- ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the Philippines: Southwest Luzon". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
- ^ "Faro de Cabo Engaño". ICOMOS. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ "Faro de Cabo Engaño". ICOMOS. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ "Faro de Cabo Engano". Filipino Heritage Festivals. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
Further reading edit
- Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the Philippines: Southwest Luzon". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
External links edit
- Cape Engaño Lighthouse on the World List of Lights
- Cape Engaño Lighthouse in Lighthouse Digest's Lighthouse Explorer Database
- Maritime Safety Services Command
- Light Stations of Northern Luzon at the Philippine Coast Guard Website.