Farola Series: Faro de Isla Jintotolo (Jintotolo Island Lighthouse)

Jintotolo

“When mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey.” – Antoine de Saint Exupéry

The mystery that envelopes Jintotolo Island had been haunting me for quite some time but after three failed attempts in the past, I have finally set foot in the island for a sole purpose of seeing it old lighthouse.

Jintotolo Lighthouse
Jintotolo Lighthouse stands on a hill, the highest point of Jintotolo Island

Set in the open water that separates Luzon and Visayas, Jintotolo is a small island composed of two barangays of the Municipality of Balud, Masbate. It is surrounded with rich turquoise water where the inhabitants rely their livelihood. But aside from its bountiful water and white sand coastline, its most prominent feature is the century-old lighthouse on top of a hill, the highest point of the island.

Jintotolo Lighthouse
Jintotolo Lighthouse serves as guide to ships in the Visayan Sea

Built in 1895 and activated in the early 1900s, Faro de Isla Jintotolo or Jintotolo Island Lighthouse is one of the 24 original first-order lighthouses erected by the Spanish Government in the archipelago. It aims to guide ships traversing Sibuyan Sea, Visayan Sea and Jintotolo Channel.

Jintotolo Lighthouse
The keeper’s house is already in ruin but the lighthouse is still active.

The lighthouse has an octagonal lantern podium on top of a square stone tower that is attached to a one-story keeper’s house. The tower has a height of 15.5 meter (51 feet) with a total focal plane (height of the lamp above sea level) of 57 meters (187 feet). It is still in used today but the original lamp was already replaced with a modern solar-powered lantern flashes three white lights every 10 seconds. Although the attached keeper’s house is already in ruins, much of its original brick walls and foundations are still intact.

Jintotolo Lighthouse
Jintotolo Lighthouse has a square tower with octagonal podium that houses the lamp.

Jintotolo Island Lighthouse has a distinct charm. An icon standing majestically in a small and laid back island, old and rusty yet beautiful and classy. It invokes rare emotions and unique attachment. For me, it is one of, if not the most beautiful of all Spanish-era lighthouses in the Philippines.

How To Get to Jintotolo Island

Jintotolo Island is a short boat ride from Barangay Calumpang in the town of Balud or by a 30-minute boat ride from Bongcanaway Port in Balud Town proper.

From Masbate City, catch a van going to Balud. Fare is approximately P200 and travel time is approximately 1.5 hours. From Roxas City, there are passenger boats to Balud which stop in Jintotolo Island.

Comments

  1. It’s just amazing seeing the lighthouse. It’s been a month since I got there. Our lovingly great great grandfather was the most kind and humble servant and master of the island. The day he approach those Spaniards if he could live at the island and his family. Thank you for sharing our beloved island. Jintotolo Island.

  2. Bong Maitim

    Jintotolo Island Lighthouse is very charming, indeed. It is evident how Spanish style has influenced the construction of the edifice.

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