Maniguin Island Lighthouse 3.15

The Maniguin Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse that marks the Cuyo East Passage, a main shipping route south into the Sulu Sea. The island, also known as Maningning Island or Hammerhead Island, is located 26.5 miles (42.6 km) off of the coast of Culasi, Antique in the Philippines. It has a narrow ridge 110 feet high across its southern end, and the remainder of the island is low and wooded, and not more than 15 feet high. It is fringed with coral reefs with deep water at their edges. The round cylindrical concrete tower with a gallery on top is located near the southeastern point of the island.HistoryThe Spanish plan for the stationThe Spanish Government's plan of building a second-order lighthouse on Maniguin Island was part of the Maritime Lighting program of the Philippine Archipelago which was in full swing in the latter part of 19th century. The original design was a beautiful and massive masonry tower similar to the Cape Melville Lighthouse.When the Americans took control of the Philippines after the Spanish–American War, the Spanish plans and records for all lighthouses were turned over to the United States. New, more economical plans were adopted to illuminate the islands as quickly as possible from the limited insular funds available, and the Spanish plans were scrapped.