BULUSAN, SORSOGON – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will turnover the restoration project Punta Diamante (Phase I) to the Diocese of Sorsogon on 26 July 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in Bulusan, Sorsogon.
The signing of the Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance of the Restoration Project for Punta Diamante (Phase I) will be part of a short program. The National Anthem will be sung by the Bulos Aguingay Chorale and invocation will be led by Rev. Fr. Joel Bilan Jr. of St. James the Greater Parish. Welcome remarks will be given by Bulusan Mayor Michael Guysayko and NHCP Chairman Emmanuel Franco Calairo will impart a message. Witnesses to the event are Senator Francis Escudero, Mayor Guysayko, Rev. Fr. Bilan Jr. and Ms. Rosario Sapitan OIC, Administrative Chief, Deputy Executive Director for Administration of the NHCP. Most Rev. Jose Alan Diolago, D.D. shall give an acceptance message and Senator Escudero will deliver the closing remarks. The Punta Diamante watchtower base is shaped as a diamond and tapers upwards in alternating tiers, hence the name. The fort complex is the last remaining structure of its kind in Sorsogon.
On 27 July 2023, the NHCP historical marker ‘Parola ng San Bernardino,’ will be officially unveiled and turned over to the Municipal Government of Bulusan, Sorsogon at 8:00 a.m. Chairman Calairo will deliver a message. Witnesses to this event are Bulusan Vice-Mayor Weenie Romano and OIC Sapitan of the NHCP. The marker reads:
PAROLA NG SAN BERNARDINO
KILALA BILANG FARO DEL ISLOTE DE SAN BERNARDINO. IPINATAYO SA BISA NG REAL DECRETO NG 13 ABRIL 1885 NA NAG-UTOS NA LAGYAN NG PAROLA ANG MAHAHALAGANG BAYBAYIN SA PILIPINAS. IPINAILALIM SA KATEGORYANG FARO DE TERCERA ORDEN NA NAKAPAGBIBIGAY LIWANAG HANGGANG 19 MILYANG DAGAT. NATAPOS NI INHINYERO GUILLERMO BROCKMANN ANG DISENYO NG PAROLA, 15 OKTUBRE 1891. SINIMULAN ANG KONSTRUKSYON, 16 OKTUBRE 1893. PINASINAYAAN ANG ILAW NG PAROLA, 30 DISYEMBRE 1896. IDINAGDAG ANG PABELYON AT IBA PANG ISTRUKTURA NOONG PANANAKOP NG MGA AMERIKANO. GABAY-TANGLAW NG MGA SASAKYANG PANDAGAT NA DUMADAAN SA KIPOT NG SAN BERNARDINO MULA 1896 HANGGANG SA KASALUKUYAN. ISA SA MGA HALIMBAWA NG ARKITEKTURANG PANDAGAT PILIPINAS NOONG HULING BAHAGI NG IKA-19 DANTAON.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote and preserve Philippine historical heritage through research and publication, conservation, marking of historic sites and structures, and administration of national shrines and museums.