International vessels entering the Philippines from South China Sea were welcomed by the Cabra Light and directed either towards Manila Bay or the center of the archipelago through Verde Island Passage, one of busiest sea routes of the Philippines.

[3] It was also the first of the five first-order[broken anchor] lighthouses built by the Spaniards in the latter part of their colonization of the archipelago.

The original light, visible for 25 nautical miles (29 mi; 46 km), was shown from a 67-foot (20 m) high square tower on the west angle of the station.

[4] After the replacement, the lighthouse was abandoned and left open for thieves and vandals.

The expensive first-order lens were vandalized with the large front Fresnel lenses all gone.