Photo of the Month: The "Islas" Gid

Islas de Gigantes (variously Islas Gigantes, Higantes group, or Gigantes group) is an island chain within the larger Western Visayas archipelago in the Visayan Sea. It is part of the municipality of Carles, Iloilo, Philippines, and the northernmost part of Iloilo province.

The Gigantes Islands consist of about ten islands; the two largest are Gigantes Norte (North Gigantes) and Gigantes Sur (South Gigantes). According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 12,224.

Location and geography

The Gigantes islands are located roughly 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Panay Island in the Visayan Sea. Gigantes Norte is 213 metres (699 ft) at its highest point, while Gigantes Sur is 232 metres (761 ft) at its highest point. A narrow 800-metre-wide (0.5 mi) channel separates the two islands.

Nearby islands include Balbagon Island, which is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) west of Gigantes Sur and is part of barangay Lantangan.

In addition to the two main islands, the Gigantes group includes the following minor islets: Bulubadiang, Gigantillo, and Gigantuna are islets southeast of Gigantes Norte, while Antonia, Bantigui, Cabugao, Tanguingui, and Turnina are islands and islets south of Gigantes Sur.

The Gigantes group consists of the following four barangays. On Gigantes Norte is Asluman and Granada and on Gigantes Sur is Lantangan and Gabi.

Points of interest

Points of interest in the Gigantes group include the Bantigue sandbar, and Bakwitan Cave, one of 73 caves throughout the islands.

Tangke

Tangke is a saltwater lagoon located within Gigantes Sur. It is surrounded by cliffs. One local myth surrounding Tangke states that the waters would magically rise every year on June 24 during the feast of Saint John the Baptist.

North Gigantes Island lighthouse

The station was established during 1895 as one of the Spanish lighthouse projects to be built across the Philippines.

The current medium-sized lighthouse that is solar-powered, like most of the lighthouses built today, was donated by Japan to replace the one built by the Spanish government due to the destruction brought by Typhoon Frank in 2008.

The keeper's house survived but in ruins. The masonry walls were painted white while the roof is made out of corrugated galvanized iron sheet in red paint finish.

Cabugao Gamay

A small island featuring a white sand beach and an observation deck.

*Fun facts from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islas_de_Gigantes