Faro de Rio de Pasig

Faro de Rio de Pasig, or Pasig River Lighthouse, is the oldest light station built in the Philippines, at the mouth of Pasig River, during the Spanish era. It was first lighted in 1642 during the term of Governador-General Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera to guide the galleons of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade that were entering the Rio de Pasig or Pasig River.

The 1846 Stone Lighthouse at the mouth of Pasig River
The date of this photo is 1902. Photo was taken by United States Military Personnel. University of Michigan. Special Collections Library

It was only on 1846 that the tower was improved into a 15m grey stone lighthouse when the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade was at the period of decline and Manila was opened into a broader, more extensive international trade.

The old stone tower of 1846 no longer exist. Like most of the lighthouses in the Philippines, upon the arrival of radar technology as a means of maritime navigation, the Faro de Rio de Pasig was neglected and left into ruins. By 1977, the Philippine Coast Guard, who's now occupying the compound surrounding the old lighthouse, started to renovate the ruined structure.

Still the 1846 lighthouse with the old salambao fishing boats

A new stone lighthouse, which for me has no match with the magnificence of the former structure, was completed in 1992. It is said that the current lighthouse is built on the same foundation of the original 1842 stone tower. Pasig River Lighthouse is still functional and well maintained by the Philippine Coast Guard.

the new lighthouse built by the PCG in 1992

I journeyed into the site of the Pasig River Lighthouse located inside the Philippine Coast Guard Compound at the end of Muelle dela Industria, Binondo, Manila on the 26th of December 2011. I walked through a street found at the north end of Delpan Bridge, came across a neighborhood of slums and shanty houses before I managed to enter the PCG Compound. I just told the guards my real purpose (curiosity and love for Philippine heritage), handed my ID and received my visitor's pass. They allowed me to roam around the Farola and take some snapshots of it.

my first glimpse of the new Farola de Rio de Pasig

I asked the guard if he could unlock the tower's gate so I could climb the top, but he told me that I will need a permit from the PCG office. 
     

an old canon is found about 3 meters away from the lighthouse

PCG provided the important infos regarding the Pasig River Lighthouse

*thanks to John Tewell for allowing me to use his copies of old lighthouse photos.

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Farola Series

Faro de Rio de Pasig | Faro de Punta Capones | Faro de Isla Corregidor | Faro de Punta de Malabrigo | Faro de Cabo Engaño | Faro de Cabo Bojeador