Watchtowers are integral part of community structures, especially of those settlements found along the coastlines, during the time when the Philippines was still under the Spanish crown. Through these structures, the villagers are warned against impending attack of pirates/enemies, making it possible for them to flee to higher grounds, or prepare to foil the attack. Nowadays, watchtowers serve local fishermen's guides to the shore while many of the old ones serve as testament to the history and heritage of the the town where they are located.
One of the most famous watchtowers in the Philippines is that of Luna, La Union. It is known to locals as "Baluarte" and is one of Luna's top tourist drawer along with the town's century old church which enshrines the Our Lady of Namacpacan (Namacpacan is the old name of Luna).
What's not known to many people is that Baluarte is just one of the many watchtowers dotting the coast of La Union stretching from Bauang in the south up to Luna in the north. In 2014, these watchtowers were proclaimed by the National Museum as National Cultural Treasures ensuring that all of these watchtowers will be protected and preserved. Unfortunately, only Luna's watchtower has been given attention by the National Museum as of now. It is also the only one that bears National Cultural Marker installed by the National Museum.
