Historic sites connect us to the past.

They are physical reminders of what came before us and help to create a sense of culture in a community.

In the southernmost part of Luzon lies an almost forgotten cultural and historic gem, the Punta Diamante located at Barangay Dapdap in Bulusan town, Sorsogon.

Bulusan, where the Punta Diamante fortress is located, was one of the original Bicol doctrinas (cultures) founded in 1583. It was then part of the province of Albay, up until October 1894, when the separate province of Sorsogon was created.

The town of Bulusan built the most number of baluartes de piedra (stone watchtowers) erected in Macabare, Tawog and Layog (now a part of Barcelona town).

Historical significance

Punta Diamante has around five watchtowers with high and thick walls, making it ideal for refuge.

The Punta Diamante was used by the local community as a defense and warning system against the Moro pirates. These pirates used to attack Bulusan, especially the coastal areas, robbing the natives of their gold, silvers and whatever else came to be lying around, and burning the houses afterwards.

It must have been from what used to be the unobstructed view across this baluarte and the kampanaryo that the Bulusanon sentinels of the old first caught sight of approaching Moro vessels or of warning signals from distant baluartes.

According to Manuel Bañares, Bulusan municipal councilor and chair of St. James the Greater Parish Pastoral Council Committee on Temporalities, old folks recounted that once the community heard the bell rang, they hurriedly convened themselves bringing along with them their important treasures inside Punta Diamante to seek protection against the pirates’ attacks.

“Punta Diamante must have been the first point of combat between the raiders and the local defenders,” he added.

As Bañares emphasized the historical significance of Punta Diamante, he appealed to the present and future generations of Bulusan to look back and understand their roots as they have an important role as vanguards of heritage preservation.

“Bulusan local government and the Parish Pastoral Council of St. James the Greater along with other stakeholders now work hand in hand to educate the local community on the role of Punta Diamante in the history of Bulusan and how it significantly contributed to shaping the identity of Buluseños,” said Bañares.

NHCP‘s restoration of Punta Diamante

The restoration of Punta Diamante and Bulusan Belfry in the municipality of Bulusan, was the town’s biggest act to preserve the testament to its glorious past.

The concept to restore was through the effort of governor, now Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero in collaboration with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) among other stakeholders, taking into account the historical, cultural, religious and tourism significance of the site.

On July 26, 2023, NHCP Chair Emmanuel Franco Calairo turned over the newly restored Punta Diamante, which was gratefully accepted by Sorsogon Bishop Most Reverend Jose Allan V. Dialogo, D.D. of the Diocese of Sorsogon.

Serving as witnesses during the signing of the Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance of the Restoration Project for Punta Diamante were Bulusan Mayor Michael G. Guysayko, NHCP Finance and Administration Division Chief Rosario V. Sapitan, and Rev. Joel A. Bilan, Jr., parish priest of St. James the Greater Parish.

Promising Tourism Destination in Sorsogon

Punta Diamante’s fort complex is the last remaining structure of its kind in Sorsogon.

With less than a month following its restoration, Punta Diamante is now one of the major tourist attractions in Sorsogon because of its historical value and its significance as a cultural heritage site.

Sorsogon Museum curator Jerome D. Dio said Punta Diamante is classified as Baluarte de Piedra or a wall made of stone. The wall itself is a significant structure and is starting to be known now for its tourism potential. After the restoration, tourists can now walk on top of the wall like that of Intramuros in Manila. “We want Punta Diamante to be known as the ‘Intramuros Wall of Sorsogon’,” Dio emphasized.

Aside from preserving its architectural value, the restoration of Punta Diamante will also embody the values of Bulusanons and Sorsoganons, their cultural identity and historic continuity.

Their connection with the past will give purpose and meaning to their identity and way of life, then and now. (PIA 5/Sorsogon