Cabra is a barangay in the Philippines that covers the island of the same name. The island is the north-westernmost of the Lubang Group of Islands in the Verde Island Passage southwest of the country's main island of Luzon and northwest of the island of Mindoro. The barangay is administered as part of the municipality of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.[2]

Cabra
The Cabra Island Lighthouse in March 2014
The Cabra Island Lighthouse in March 2014
Map
Cabra is located in Luzon
Cabra
Cabra
Cabra is located in Philippines
Cabra
Cabra
Coordinates: 13°53′N 120°02′E / 13.883°N 120.033°E / 13.883; 120.033
CountryPhilippines
RegionMimaropa
ProvinceOccidental Mindoro
MunicipalityLubang
Government
 • TypeBarangay
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total1,231
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
Cabra Island

Geography edit

With a length of about 4.5 km (2.8 miles) and about 2.9 km (1.8 miles) at its widest, the island has a flat terrain with the highest elevation at 60.96 metres (around 200 feet).[2] A particular rock islet near one beach is considered by locals as a symbol of the island given its shape as a cabra (Spanish for “goat”).[3] The Cabra Island Lighthouse complex is located on Cabra Island.

Formation edit

Cabra Island may have formed from a gigantic coral reef.[a]

History edit

The community in Cabra was established by the Spaniards in 1885, the year they started building the Cabra Island Lighthouse. It was named Cabra (Spanish for “goat”) after the Spaniards saw herds of goats when they landed.[4][5]

From 1966 to 1972, a handful of schoolgirls on the island reported experiencing visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The purported apparitions, unofficially known by the title of Our Lady of Cabra Island, eventually inspired the 1982 Ishmael Bernal drama film Himala, starring Nora Aunor.

Cabra Island Lighthouse edit

The Cabra Island Lighthouse complex is situated about 656 yards (600 m.) from the west end of the island.[6] Construction on the lighthouse began on May 3, 1885, and it was first lit on March 1, 1889.[4] The lighthouse is closed to visitors due to its dilapidated state.[3]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "From Hulagaan, it takes about an hour of cruising westward to reach Cabra Island, which is said to have been formed from a huge coral reef."[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Census of Population (2020). "Mimaropa". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b Survey, U.S. Coast and Geodetic; Christman, R.J. (1919). United States Coast Pilot, Philippine Islands. Its Serial. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 158.
  3. ^ a b c Boniol, Leti (May 8, 2014). "Laid-back in Lubang". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Noche, Manuel M., "Lonely Sentinels of the Sea, The Spanish Lighthouses in the Philippines", p.55. U.S.T. Publishing House, 2005.
  5. ^ "Cabra Island". Lubang Island. Retrieved on 2011-11-01.
  6. ^ U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, "United States Coast Pilot, Philippine Islands Part 1", p.158. Washington Government Printing Office, 1919.