Lonely Sentinels of the Sea : The Spanish Lighthouses in the Philippines by Manuel Maximo Lopez Del Castillo Noche (Out of Print)

"Truly, these lighthouses, which withstood the test of time, are testimonies of our maritime past. Unfortunately, because of the absence of adequate funding, this artifact of our maritime history is charting a sure path towards uncertainty and oblivion...In the end, this research hopes to establish the need to preserve this artifact in Philippine history. The preservation of these unsung guardians of our seas must be included in the agenda to preserve our more popular icons of Filipiniana. The researcher visited twenty-four Spanish-built lighthouses scattered around the archipelago. In the process, a paradox emerges: the attention given to the Spanish Colonial Government to the task of constructing lighthouses of beauty and grandeur in the most isolated locations is juxtaposed against the neglect of these very structures by the present government. Though all of these lighthouses still function to warn and guide sailors, the neglect of the adjoining structures alarm historians and preservationists alike...This researcher and several concerned individuals around the country hope that the preservation and restoration of our remaining historic lighthouses will capture the imagination of more "thirteen-year old kids" and make them realize that the presence of these sentinels which light our seas ensures safety and fosters friendship!" -Excerpts from the Introduction.
A Philippine import. Limited copies available.

ISBN-10 : 971506352-7
ISBN-13 : 978-97--1506352-4
Publisher : University of Santo Tomas (January 1, 2005)
Format: Hardbound