#Manila#Philippines# Baluarte: The Leaning Tower of Luna, La Union #Manila#Philippines
Baluarte: The Leaning Tower of Luna, La Union
Luna, a municipality in the province of La Union, is known as the Pebble Capital of the North. Its coast facing the West Philippine Sea seems to be a bottomless repository of pebbles of various sizes and colors that are washed in from the ocean. Along this strip stands a 5.6-meter tall structure that has survived pirate attacks, a war among countries, and even a devastating typhoon.
Locally called as Baluarte, the watchtower in Barangay Victoria was built during the Spanish period as a solution to the frequent ransacking of Japanese, Chinese, and Moro pirates in the coastal towns of La Union. The fortress was used by the Spaniards to warn its residents against the looters. During World War II, it functioned as the communication tower post for a temporary airfield for the USAFIPNL forces.
Like most century-old Spanish structures, the baluarte is made of adobe and coral blocks held together by lime and egg whites. This is why it wasn't surprising that the tower was eventually split into two.
In 2007, the provincial engineering office propped the ruins with concrete columns used in building bridges. They also prohibited the picking of stones 50 meters around the baluarte to minimize erosion of the coast and save the walls from tilting some more. In 2013, studies were made to preserve the structure built on the scenic beach. More permanent solutions were recommended such as the injection of cement slurry on the structure's base and tilting of the split portions inwards.
Unfortunately, neither were done and the advocates behind its preservation lost in the race against time and tide. Lando, a strong typhoon in 2015, caused the centuries-old baluarte to collapse, as if being split in half wasn't enough.
I was able to visit the spot twice—in 2009 and just recently—and saw how badly the structure was ravaged.
LEFT: Concrete columns were used to prop up the tilting watchtower. | RIGHT: Only half of the structure remained after the devastation of Typhoon Lando.
The side that faces the water was completely destroyed and collapsed by the strong typhoon.
(Photo from Vic Alhambra Jr. | The Philippine Star | October 25, 2015)
At present, the local government of council is counting on the National Historical Commission to declare the baluarte as a national historical landmark. Should this push through, government agencies can easily channel funds for the preservation and restoration of the watchtower. The structure was already recognized by the National Historical Institute as one of the national treasures prior to the calamity.
What's next for the watchtower? It's up to us, ambassadors of the country, to push for the restoration of a piece of our history.
How to Get There
Buses to La Union depart the terminals in Manila every hour. Travel time is between six to seven hours by commute.
Experience More of La Union
1) Rope of the North: Saving the Philippine Sea One Tali at a Time
2) Ride Off Into the Sunset: Where to Go on #TakawDates in
BALUARTE LUNA WATCHTOWER POST TYPHOON LANDO
Revisited Baluarte watchtower and I have no idea it was destroyed when typhoon Lando hit the province.
EXPLORING LUNA, LA UNION || KAMAY NA BATO + BALUARTE WATCH TOWER ( PHILIPPINES)
VLOG #2: EXPLORING LUNA, LA UNION || KAMAY NA BATO + BALUARTE WATCH TOWER ( PHILIPPINES)
#TRAVELVLOG #LUNA #LAUNION
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Baluarte Watch Tower Luna La Union
#Lunalaunion #launion #batayan #baluarte #watchtower
Mga Batayan(Baluarte) Ng La Union
Baluarte (Watch Tower) Luna, La Union
The 400-year-old watchtower in Barangay Victoria, Luna, La Union.
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Baluarte Luna La Union
The Spanish Watchtower Baluarte in Luna La Union. Many people are visiting the now famous Baluarte located in Victoria Luna La Union, the said Baluarte is located in the seashore of Luna La Union used as a watchtower for enemies during the Spanish regime.
Photo Credits: Edwin Navalta Pagalilauan Jr., Boyet Cayabyab & Queenie Bautista
Baluarte Luna La Union
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OLD SPANISH WATCHTOWERS of La Union 2 (Baluarte & Balaoan)
Luna & Balaoan La Union, Philippines
That should be Balaoan, La union and not Luna, La Union
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VISITING LA UNION ||BALUARTE WATCH TOWER
BALUARTE WATCH TOWER LA UNION #baluarte #launion
Noble Tower, Luna from bird´s eye view
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Aerial views of Luna & Darigayos in La Union
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North Luzon Tours presents aerial views of Luna and Darigayos from Oct.29., 2017.
Unfortunatelly Bahay na bato (House of stone) isn´t opened for the public anymore and the substitute is nothing compared to what it used to be
Baluarte watchtower is in a very nice condition on October 2017. But I´m wondering why it needed to be completely destroyed first by Typhoon Lando in 2015 before they protected it against nature´s rage? Imagine, the former structure of 2011 would have been preserved in the way they did now!
#WherePeytWent : La Union, PH | VISUALS
Here's a glimpse of my La Union trip! The places we went there are the ff. (no particular order) : San Juan Beach, Baluarte Watch Tower, Kamay na Bato, Poro Poro Lighthouse, Thunderbird Resort, Pagoda Hill and Ma-cho Temple.
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#WherePeytWent : La Union, PH | VISUALS
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Located at Barangay Baluarte, Salcedo, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.
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