Lighthouse in Bagatao and Parola Beach

The Bagatao Island Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located in Bagatan Island on the eastern side of the entrance to Sorsogon Bay, in the town of Magallanes. The 29-ft white cylindrical iron tower is situated on the rocky headland that forms the southern point in the western end of the Island, the entrance to the bay, but also assists ships in navigating the bend giving the total light elevation of 135 ft (41.4 m). The light not only marks around Ticao Island of Masbate province as they head to San Bernardino Strait and exit to the Pacific Ocean.

This lighthouse is an example of a tourelle tower. Towers made of metal known as tourelle are prefabricated and manufactured in France and can be easily assembled on-site, usually supported by a metal framework. The lighthouse was bought by Spain but it was in 1904 when it was erected by the US colonial government.

The lighthouse on Bagatao Island was one of the stations proposed by the Bureau of Lighthouse Construction for the year 1903-1904. It was one of several lighthouses bought by Spain from France and was found by the Bureau at the warehouse of the old lighthouse commission after the turnover to the American colonial government. In January 1904, a working group was sent to the Island to start construction on the light station. The group consisted of two Americans, 6 to 8 Chinese carpenters, and about 30 Filipino workmen hired from Manila. The working group was housed in temporary quarters and supplies were kept in storehouses. Water wells were dug to obtain fresh water for the workers. The work consisted of the erection of the iron tower, a frame dwelling for the keepers, a kitchen, a concrete storehouse and oil room, a water cistern, and a latrine.

The sixth-order flashing white light, equipped both with an incandescent lamp and with an ordinary burner, was first lit on May 15, 1904. A red fixed-port light was also displayed on a tripod to the east of the flashing light. However, the lamp has been replaced by a solar-powered modern lamp by the Philippine Coast Guard. All lighthouses in the Philippines are managed by the Philippine Coast Guard.

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