Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Burgos, Ilocos Norte

I have always been amazed of lighthouses.  When I went to the US in 2011, Dennis brought me to Kenosha, Wisconsin where I saw two lighthouses. I even attempted to climb the stairs in one of these two lighthouses just to have my pictures taken. When we went to Corregidor in 2012, I saw the old Spanish lighthouse which was located at the highest point of Corregidor Island. In 2013, I saw the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse in Pattar, Bolinao, Pangasinan. All of these have their own significant historical backgrounds.

This time, I saw another Lighthouse in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. It is also known as the Burgos lighthouse.  This is one of the cultural heritage structures in Ilocos Norte. Actually, it is the main tourist attraction of the municipality of Burgos. The lighthouse stands on top of Vigia de Nagparitan Hill, overlooking Cape Bojeador. The cape used to be very busy as galleons used to pass by. It’s been more than 100 years since it was established and up to this time, it is still fully functional — a beacon signaling to ships that they have entered the Philippine Archipelago from the north. This lighthouse is one of the highest elevated Spanish colonial lighthouses in the Philippines.

We headed for the Cape Bojeador lighthouse going upwards through a winding road. We stopped at the small parking lot where vendors of souvenirs were lined on the side of the road. From the base, we had to climb a flight of steps. You have to be careful in going up as the steps are not in their best condition. However, in spite of this inconvenience, the view of the South China Sea on the way up was just so amazing. I haven't reached the gate yet but I couldn't help clicking my camera because of the very beautiful site in front of me. The lighthouse and the building in its antiquity, I have found it so attractive. It seemed to me that its height commanded authority in silence. It was very peaceful and very cinematic, as well.

Historical Marker of the Lighthouse

Climbing the stairs can leave you breathless but the fresh air compensates for your need of oxygen. It was very, very windy. However, avoid looking up, as you are climbing the steps because you could get dizzy. It could give you an illusion that the tower is about to fall down on you due to the movement of the clouds.

Brief History of Cape Bojeador

As you approach the entrance, it would lead you to a flight of stairs going up. It is currently undergoing renovation.  

The lighthouse tower is 65 feet tall and is octagonal. It is made with bricks crowned with a bronze cupola.The lighthouse was erected as part of Spain’s master plan of illuminating the Philippines. The initial design was by Magin Pers and Pers in 1887 but was completed by Guillermo Brockman’s Lighthouse Service.   On March 30, 1892, it was lit for the first time. 

As you enter the main building, you can see a small room on the left side which is dedicated as a small museum. It is not actually in its tip-top shape but in here, you can see some memorabilias about the lighthouse and its history.

I spent sometime inside the museum because I got caught up with the preserved old magazine cut-outs and pictures of the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. You could also see in a glass casing was the miniature copy of the lighthouse. I went out from the museum towards the lighthouse. There was a flight of steps going up to the entrance of the lighthouse however, we were not able to enter as there were men who were renovating it. We just contented ourselves taking pictures of it from the outside. It would have been best if, at that time that we went there, it was open.  I can just imagine how the view from the top of the lighthouse would look like.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Burgos, Ilocos Norte

The Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is located in the rocky coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte.  It is not along the highway so if you have no idea about the different tourist destinations of Ilocos Norte, you will definitely miss this. From the highway, you will need to travel about 3 kilometers to reach the drop-off point and walk about 10 minutes to the rock formations. 

Paved steps going down to the coast

As we were going down, I really had no idea on how it would look like. In my mind, since it was named kapurpurawan or puraw meaning white in Ilokano, It was just simply several white rocks that I would see.

My companions, since they were a lot younger than I am, decided to walk. I chose to ride the horse since the weather was too humid and hot. A horseback ride costing a 100 pesos would not really hurt, so I opted for it instead of walking.  It was also an experience for me as I only had the experience of a horseback ride in Baguio City then.

There was a paved walkway which made it easier to walk. The advantage of walking is that you get a better picture of the picturesque landscape than horseback riding. The paved path is indicative of the presence of tourists frequenting the place.

View of the Rock Formations from afar

In Ilocano, “Kapurpurawan” or "puraw" means white. Most of the rocks formations are shaded by sparkling white in color. This beautiful tourist spot was created by forces of wind, water and waves from the ocean. In Science, it is a sedimentary rock formed by sedimentation, where the deposition of particles carried by fluid flow, created rocks on diff. shapes and formations. The breath-taking scenery of the ocean adds beauty of the place.(Kapurpurawan Rock Formations)

The beautiful scenic spot will definitely wear off all the stress brought about by the scorching heat of the sun.  It is very beautiful.  On our way, I was asking the guide if indeed it was a natural formation or a man-mad formation.  He said it was a natural rock formation formed over ages. At first, I did not believe him but when I was there, I found it out myself that indeed, it was real. 

A Panoramic View

From a distance, I saw a small ship on top of the rock.  Some would say, it was the shape of a bird. But, for whatever shape it was, this is a must-see place that one who is going on a road trip to Ilocos Norte should not miss. As we got closer to the rock formation I saw how magnificent this thing was. It was mother nature's work of art...a masterpiece.

This amazing beauty would just make you stand in awe.  In the middle of the white rock formations, you would not help but a have a 360 degrees turn to appreciate its magnificence. An add-on to this is the panoramic view of the waves graciously splashing on the rocks.

The Kapurpurawan Rock Formations have also gained the title "The Jewel in the North".