Liloan Trippers Pay Tribute to Benjie Ordonez

On October 7, 2009, at 10:00 pm, one of the most active and skilled photographers in Cebu City passed away due to a stroke. He left behind a legacy of pictures, knowledge and a friend to most of the people that survived him. His name is Benjie Ordonez, an active photographer, as well as administrator of Istorya.net.

Indirectly, Benjie Ordonez helped the Liloan Trippers during the early days of this blogsite. We used one of his pictures in order to put a graphic description to the story of the American lighthouse as an introduction to the Liloan Trippers project. To view the blog, click here.

This is the picture that will continually remind the Liloan Trippers of this great photographer that now is in the warm embrance of our Lord.



~Immortalundead

Liloan Trippers: Advanced 1st Year Anniversary Outing

As an advanced 1 year anniversary celebration, the Liloan Trippers organized a second tour of the town courtesy of Archie once again and his uncle last June 17. Unfortunately, Swerver wasn't able to participate as he got problems at the last minute. Work-related so he had to forgo this against his heart. We'll have another one soon.

This time I was with two new recruits: Christian and my friend Don.


We just came back from Mulao and having a late lunch, so please forgive the somber expressions we all had. We were bone tired.

Anyway, the tour started as it did when we first had it with Archie and Rolly way back. In a way, this brings back memories but this time, we have managed to snag our first foreigner (Don) and the third recruit to the town after Roniel in the person of Christian.

The first place we visited, just like last year is Silot Bay. What I found out there was that Silot Bay's waters have been cordoned off from the seafaring public because it is already a marine sanctuary. No one can get in there without the Bantay Dagat peeps firing warning shots at them. Here are some pictures (the place looks the same though).



After that, we went up to the former golf course in Appolo, where I saw the shrubs had grown up around that tree which I took a picture of last year. Check it out here for comparison.

Here are the pictures of the site now, including that tree:




We also were able to visit that wharf Swerver and I had been looking for. We were looking at the wrong direction. It was located just below the Appolo Golf Course, and only a few minutes from it. However, it was weird that we were not allowed in because we had an American with us. Anyway here are some pictures that I managed to take there:






Last but not the least were the rocks of Mulao. I really didn't want to go there, but Archie mentioned it and Don liked it since he saw the pictures. I had a negative experience there, but I won't let that dampen your interests. For merits, Archie found a shorter route to the Stone Boat, but though it was shorter those rocks still make for good obstacles to the destination. I was too tired to remember to take a picture of the Stone Boat. Oh well...




Last but not the least was the Parola. Now, no need to post pictures of these as I have been there a lot of times and took quite a lot in different lighting conditions. In Bagacay Light Point, we had two large Red Horse beers and relaxed after such a tiring trip especially after that experience in Mulao River. The halo-halo was forsaken as well since our American friend wanted beer instead.

There have been several things that we uncovered. Although we didn't visit it, we heard talk about a certain blue stone located forward of the Stone Boat. Like it is named, it is a stone of a blue color. However, since it is located in the same place as the Stone Boat, it seems like the Liloan Trippers might never see it in person unless we spend a lot of time preparing for it: i.e. jogging, stocking up on water, and getting the necessary equipment.

Happy Anniversary, Liloan Trippers!

~Immortalundead

What New, Bagacay Point?

What's New, Bagacay Point?
By: Immortalundead

When you talk about Liloan, the first thing that comes to mind is: Bagacay Point. For those that do not know, Bagacay Point is the famous lighthouse that many people from even outside Liloan go to visit and have some relaxation. The place boasts of fresh air -- it is located just a few steps away from the sea.

Besides being a famous tourist spot, the lighthouse is also an important marker for traffic plying in and out of the northern tip of Cebu. Like its predecessor -- the old, dilapidated lighthouse sitting near the sea -- it has helped bring home sailors sailing in the night. For a brief background, check out our very first blog in Liloan Trippers. If you want to see and know more about the old lighthouse up close and personal, see this blog as well.

We wrote in our "Story of Two Lighthouses" blog that the way to the old lighthouse is comprised of tall ferns and grazing animals especially in the afternoon. However, my visit to the place yesterday with Roniel has yielded a few new surprises.



All these high plants that have been impeding our view of the path have been burned down or chopped down in order to make it easier for visitors to find the path.

What's more I found out that the path we had been following during our early incursions to the old lighthouse was not the original path intended by the caretakers of the property for the use of visitors. I noticed it was more dangerous, and Swerver and I agreed that some sort of guide would have to be employed by the property to steer visitors along especially at night. However, since the ferns and grasses were no longer high, Roniel and I found the other path that leads to the old lighthouse:


This is the path or entrance I'm talking about. I may be wrong, but I'm strongly confident because of the marker that stands in front of it. This is the safer place to go. However, we weren't able to use this path in the past because the only path we could see was the one that led to the cliffs and the sea. Not that it doesn't offer a good view; however, it is quite dangerous for some people to use especially at night.

It seems now that the property is no longer government-owned, or at least not wholly owned by the government. It seems like Gothong has some ownership in the place as well judging from this marker in a seneguelas tree. Never mind by the spelling please:



By the way, this tree is located along the way to the old lighthouse.

Roniel and I also spent a few seconds on top of the old light house -- yes, seconds because the drizzle started after we started taking pictures from atop the structure. However, we couldn't help but notice how brittle the structure is: we felt like it just needed a little prodding, and what remains of the "Parolang Putol" may collapse utterly. We urge the municipality and whatever private entity that manages the property to take that into consideration. Given visitors' tendency to climb up the structure, this fact can be dangerous.

Last but not the least, is the revived Sugba sa Parola. We have been here the last time, but we weren't able to take pictures because Roniel and I didn't bring any camera. At last, we give you pictures of the new establishment in town:

So there you have it. Those are the changes that you can find in Bagacay Point, in Barangay Catarman, Liloan, Cebu. That stage you see up there in the pictures is where people who want to sing videoke can sit and face the audience. There is a TV facing up to the singer, giving him the appearance of a big-time performer in front of a crowd? You wanna try it? I definitely don't lol.

It had been quite a trip, snapping pictures of just about everything we can see. At the end of the day, we treated ourselves to a bottle of Red Horse courtesy of Sugba-Sugba sa Parola. It wasn't free, of course:

* all pictures were taken by me and Roniel.

Twin Towers of Liloan (naming game)

Let’s have a little breather here. We are already aware that Liloan has two lighthouses. The first one was erected by the Spaniards in 1857, making it older than the Ateneo de Manila University. The other one was constructed through the order of then Governor General William H. Taft in 1904, making it older than the University of the Philippines. Sad to say, only the American version stands high and mighty. The Spanish parola is now left to ruins and rubbles, only its base part remains for the curious eyes.

The Liloan lighthouses should not be neglected further. The twin towers of Liloan, as we like to call them ala Lord of the Rings, have played a significant role to the whole province being the knobs of the old Cebu doorway by the sea. You can just imagine how the structures have helped brought home many a lonesome sailor to the arms of waiting wives and children. Liloan Trippers humbly suggest for the restoration of the Spanish lighthouse (the two lighthouses have quite distinct designs and material structures).

Sure, the lighthouses are relics of a sad past. But it should not stop the people of Liloan from putting off the light of vigilance. It is through looking back at the past that we can determine better ways to navigate the future. There must be a concerted effort by concerned individuals to restore and preserve these structures back to old glory. The lighthouses will not only show the way for ships, but also serve as the town balcony. If it isn’t possible nautically to have two lighthouses in one place, then at least have the Spanish parola for keepsake. Liloan Trippers also suggest for decent lighting around the lighthouses to encourage more tourist visits especially at night, as well as for a guided tour of the old lighthouse for safety and tourism purposes.

In the words of one Liloan chronicler, the lighthouse is “full of light, a vigilant guide to the eye that blinks but does not sleep on duty”.

And, finally, for the breather… I think we could convince the bureaucracy more to speed up its moves with respect to the lighthouses if we put names to the twin towers. For instance, they’d say “gee, they do really care because they are treating the lighthouses like their babies!” So, help us with the job of coming up with names for the twin towers! Of course, the most popular suggestion will win the naming game and one glass of special halo-halo from us (fare ticket not included).

You can vote through this post by making a comment. It’s not hard as you think. You only need to press that little comment icon and place your log-in Gmail/Blogger account. You may opt to comment as “anonymous” if you are that shy. Hard enough? The second and much easier option for voting is to go to “Interact with the Writers” widget at the side of this site. Type in your comments at the “message” space and put your name. The space for “website” is optional. That easy and we will then tally the results.

I once blogged in my Multiply page that if ever I’ll have my own male twins, I would name them Engelbert Humperdinck and Fra Lippo Lippi. My Pa loves their songs, that’s why. But I couldn’t use those names for the twin towers, lest I won’t have originality anymore with my baby twins. I’m thinking of exotic names for the twin towers like Isla Marcheline and Amelie Jane. But no, Angelina Jolie used them already. What cha think, guys? Please help us! ;-)

-Swerver

An Intriguing Town of Lighthouses, Whirlpools, Myths and Legends

Aside from real lighthouses and whirlpools that are present in town, Liloan is a stuff of history, legends and myths. The name “Liloan” itself is an intriguing piece of folklore as it supposedly came from a story of forbidden love.

Once upon a time, there was a couple whose marriage was objected to by their parents. The lovers, defying traditions and daring the perils of the unknown, had to sail to the big sea and flee somewhere else. They came to settle in a place with abundant supply of fish. Later on, they took to fishing and bartered their “catch” in the nearby villages. When asked where they caught the fishes, they would say “sa may lilo” (in the vicinity of the lilo). It is not clear whether the couple had a “happy ever after” but the couple certainly had found a refuge to fulfill their undeniable love for each other. The couple’s refuge is now known as the town of Liloan and “sa may lilo” refers to the presence of whirlpools in Suba River.

My first exposure to the town came three years ago. Fresh from grabbing my college diploma, I went to work in an outsourcing firm based in Liloan. It was thrilling for a first job as it involved a thing I always love to do – writing. But I was intrigued why my first job had to be, of all places, in Liloan. For one, Liloan to me was just one of Cebu’s more than 50 towns with a name. Prior to my first job, I couldn’t recall an instance that my family had actually dropped by at the town. We had trips in some parts of northern Cebu, particularly in Danao and Bogo, but Liloan always came as a passing town. There was nothing extra special about Liloan. It struck to me as a drab-looking, old and sleeping town -- full of vintage memories but had nothing exciting to offer. Or so I thought three years ago.

Hunting in vain for better words to say now, Liloan is such an intriguing place with a myriad of options for the thrill-seekers. Next to my hometown Opon, there is no place else to love than this town which was built by the Spanish conquistadores in 1845. It’s funny how cosmopolitan ways had influenced my wrong notions about Liloan. See, the first reason that endeared Liloan close to my heart was because of its halo-halo (iced mixture of fruits and root crops) sold near the town plaza’s stalls. For a cheap price of 25 bucks, I have never tasted a more delicious halo-halo from anywhere.

But, of course, Liloan is not all about yummy halo-halo. The town can claim a rightful venue for all town adventures which we will little by little show why here.

-Swerver-

The Story of Two Lighthouses

The Story of Two Lighthouses

Almost two hundred years ago, the Spaniards erected a lighthouse near the cliffs of Barangay Catarman, Liloan, Northern Cebu in the Philippines. This lighthouse was made of coral stones, and stands to guide home fishermen of the age.

After several years, almost a century later, the Spaniards left and the Americans came. The old lighthouse was respectfully put out of use, and a newer, large one was built just near it. This new lighthouse was made of concrete, stands 72-feet tall, and was more technologically advanced. Its light can be seen 17 nautical miles away, and serves as an important maritime marker for ships coming in and out of Cebu's northern sea lanes.


The two lighthouses are stark contrasts to each other. The Spanish one is now old, broken and left in ruins; the American one is new to the eyes, proudly standing tall, and continually maintained. However, the Spanish lighthouse represents the bygone days of the Spanish occupation, where Filipinos were called "Indios" by our Spanish oppressors. Hence, it is an important landmark, a reminder of our history that should not be forgotten.

The road going up to the American-commissioned lighthouse is a fairly easy one. You only need to ride a motorcycle or tricycle from the town proper to get there.

From there, you can see the ruins of the old lighthouse from a distance, standing forlorn amongst the tall grass and ferns that have grown around it. They are so tall that they have literally engulfed the sign pointing visitors to the way to the old lighthouse.

The road going there is tough, another contrast with its newer counterpart. You have to descend to and cross a Savanna-like grassland for about five minutes, with the grasses and ferns tickling your arms and face. Along the way, you'll find man-size excavations that are quite deep enough to get you into trouble if you fall into one of them. You may also meet cows and goats grazing.

At the end of this road, you will reach a low cliff that dangerously leads to the rocky waters below. The cliff has a path made of rocks that turns to the left, a path which you have to follow for a minute or two until you reach the stump of coral stone that marks the Spanish lighthouse, circa 1857.

The place has an eerie, aged feeling to it. It looks more like an old war bunker than a lighthouse, with blackened coral stones that serve as its walls, and with a huge crack on one side that somehow functions like a door through which you can enter into the structure and view the inside of the lighthouse. The only sounds you'll hear are the sounds of the surf lapping against the rocks below, and the sea breeze. Anyone visiting the site would think that he has stepped into a different time, because the ambience of the place is as old as the delapidated building that stands in the vicinity.

Bagacay Light Point is undeniably famous amongst both tourists and Filipinos alike, with the excellent view it commands of the sea. However, it should not also be forgotten that before Bagacay Light Point was ever constructed, there existed another, less modern outpost that faithfully served the same purpose, and now stands sadly as a mere shadow of its former self.

The Lighthouse of Liloan

Besides its delicacies, the town of Liloan is best known for the towering structure found in one of its barangays: the Liloan lighthouse. Formally known as Bacagay Light Point, the lighthouse is an important nautical waypoint and a favorite hangout for people who like to drink while breathing the fresh sea breeze. Over a hundred years old, the lighthouse has been declared as a National Historical Landmark on August 23, 2004.

History

William Howard Taft, the governor general of the Philippines in 1904 during the American Administration, ordered the construction of the lighthouse in Barangay Catarman, Liloan. The lighthouse was intended as a replacement of a similar yet older structure built by the Spaniards in 1857 in the same location.

Technical Details

The lighthouse is made of concrete and is shaped like an octagon. The builders decided to paint it white. It is over 72 feet tall, and has a focal plane of 146 feet. Its white light flashes every 5 seconds, and can be seen from over 17 nautical miles away. The lighthouse is solar powered.

Location and Travel Guide

Bacagay Light Point is located 22 kilometers away from the main highway. You can find the lighthouse by following the “This way to Amara” signs in Liloan or by following the road from Cebu and Mandaue Cities until you reach Liloan town proper and then following the road to the right side of the lighthouse replica in the plaza. The latter road takes you across the Suba Channel, another attraction offered by the town for its visitors.

The lighthouse is located on an elevated piece of land, which means aside from the lighthouse you get to enjoy a view of the Tañon Strait while visiting the place. The place is best viewed at night, where you get a not-so-elevated view of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the lights of Mactan Island.

Right beside the lighthouse is a drinking joint, where you can sing videoke in an open-air setting while chugging down your favorite beer. You can also just sit and enjoy the fresh air of the strait while looking up at the stars. For a lot of years, young and old alike have visited this place not only for the sights it offer, but also for the enjoyment the drinking joint gives them.

Photo copyright Benjie Ordoñez