Marauding pirates and Moro raiders constantly attacked the towns in southern Cebu during the Spanish period. To protect these towns from these attacks, Fr. Julian Bermejo established a coastal defense system that warned the towns of the presence of these raiders. The coastal defense system was made up of watchtowers that would monitor the areas around the town. One of these watchtowers built during the Spanish period was the Baluarte sa Fuente of Boljoon.
Baluarte sa Fuente – image source: selflesstravels.com
Fr. Julian Bermejo
When Fr. Bermejo was assigned as the parish priest of Boljoon, he designed a coastal defense system to protect the town from pirates and raiders. The defense system extended from Tañong, now known as Santander, up to Sibonga and Carcar. The watchtowers or baluartes in these towns were a part of the coastal defense designed by Fr. Bermejo, who was also known as “El Padre Capitan”.
When Fr. Bermejo was assigned as the parish priest of Boljoon, he designed a coastal defense system to protect the town from pirates and raiders. The defense system extended from Tañong, now known as Santander, up to Sibonga and Carcar. The watchtowers or baluartes in these towns were a part of the coastal defense designed by Fr. Bermejo, who was also known as “El Padre Capitan”.
Fr. Julian Bermejo – image source: flickr.com
Baluarte sa Fuente
The Baluarte sa Fuente is one of the watchtowers in the town of Boljoon. The structure built under the supervision of Fr. Bermejo. It was part of the coastal defense system established by the warrior priest to protect the southern towns of Cebu from marauding pirates that constantly attacked these towns.
The Baluarte sa Fuente is one of the watchtowers in the town of Boljoon. The structure built under the supervision of Fr. Bermejo. It was part of the coastal defense system established by the warrior priest to protect the southern towns of Cebu from marauding pirates that constantly attacked these towns.
Baluarte sa Fuente – image source: boljoon.myguide.ph
Aside from this watchtower, Boljoon also has the El Grande Baluarte at the parish complex. Another Spanish watchtower is located at the Ili Rock. There is also a fourth watchtower situated at the Kayaongon Point. These watchtowers warned the residents of the town of the presence of Moro raiders and pirates. The Baluarte sa Fuente of Boljoon was built close to the point where the river flowed into the sea. It was located far from the parish complex of Boljoon. The watchtower also featured an octagonal shape.
Baluarte sa Fuente – image source: flickr.com
While the Baluarte sa Fuente is already covered with thick vegetation, it now serves a stark reminder of the dangers the people of Boljoon and other towns in the south had to face during the time of the Spaniards.
Have you dropped by the Baluarte sa Fuente in Boljoon already? Tell us about your visit on the comments section below.
Have you dropped by the Baluarte sa Fuente in Boljoon already? Tell us about your visit on the comments section below.
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