Category: Palawan

Culion Leprosy Museum and Archives: Documenting an Island of Healing

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Bust of an actual leper at the museum

“I knew that man during my younger years. When I see that bust, I can still imagine him speaking to me” said Pastor Hermie, our guide for that day as we ventured to the farther south regions of Culion Island on a motorbike. He was referring to the grotesque bust figure greeting visitors of the Culion Leprosy Museum and Archive after a flight of stairs to the 2nd floor. Just the thought that the figure was an actual leper sent a chill on my spine as I imagine his mummified figure. Stories such as this is common in Culion Island, whose present inhabitants are one way or another are 2nd or 3rd generation descendants of the thousands of leprosy patients who lived on the island. Its hard not to talk about the leprosy stigma that has befallen Culion when visiting the island and a good starting point to learn more about it is a visit to the Culion Leprosy Museum and Archive within the General Hospital compound.

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Ferry to Culion Island, The Eagle and a Starry Starry Night

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La immaculada Concepcion church under the starry night

There are two sides in a story, and for an island that held the stigma of the long-gone leprosy like Culion Island, there’s the view from the people who lived in the island and those who look upon it from the outside like me. There’s this lingering fascination and curiosity of Culion Island that beheld me ever since I’ve heard about it. I wanted delve deeper and see for myself, hear for myself the stories of struggles, perseverance, hope and healing. I know there’s a lot more to Culion Island than what people perceive of it so I made sure when I returned to Coron, I made a trip to this place used to be known as the “Island of the living dead”

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Coron Island Hopping: A Splendid Way to Enjoy the Sun, Sea and Sights

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Coron Palawan can speak for itself in terms of its natural beauty. I’ve seen the wonders of Halong Bay, while I admired its thousands of karst wonder, it can’t really compare to how clear and spectacular our Palawan turquoise waters is. The best way to see the islands which is through day tours offered in town. Like El Nido, Coron have also grouped the sites to several island tours. We’re doing the Coron Island Hopping tour (offered by Coron EcoLodge) and has just visited Kayangan Lake. The only need in these tours is a comfortable swimwear (expect to be wet throughout), an open sense of wonder and fun.

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On Familiar Clear Waters of Kayangan Lake Coron Island

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It’s been photographed many times. There’s little room for composition in the area. It’s been posted in many billboards and printed on magazines a gazillion times already. So why do I want to go back to Kayangan Lake in Coron Island? Because photos cannot capture what it’s feels like being there. To be surrounded by stunning karts formations towering over the clear emerald lake of Kayangan Lake. It literally feels like stepping inside a scenic wallpapers that’s too good to be a real place.

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Chasing Sunset at Mt Tapyas Coron

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It seems I’ve been going back to a lot of places lately. At least 6 years after, and more air traffic lately in NAIA (our flight was delayed for more than an hour) I found myself bound for Francisco Reyes Airport in Busuanga. A new airport, wide paved road (and watch our for passing cattle) and a more bustling little Coron Town were some of the notable changes. We checked in at Coron Eco Lodge found at the quiet side of Calle Real (check my review here). With our time cut short because of the flight delay, we chose to forego the regular “City Tour” and head directly Mt Tapyas for the sunset I was looking forward to shoot again.

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Noa Noa Island Taytay Palawan: 11-Days on a Private Island Estate

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I’ve always wondered how it’s like to live in a small island. Of course I imagined there would be palm trees, a nice beach, hammocks, refreshing drinks, native huts and endless view of the ocean. But when I took a project for one of the private islands in Taytay Palawan named Noa Noa Island, I never expected to be staying about 11-days in this luxurious island where I was the only guest while working on a project. It was one of my memorable escapes to a not-so-known island surrounded by one of the most astounding marine sanctuary I’ve ever swam on.

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Sprucing Up Lagen Island El Nido

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The exclusive Lagen Island managed by El Nido Resorts is the largest of their resort islands boasting more nature cover than their resort facilities. It’s also home to an important archeological site, the Leta-leta Cave, a Stone Age era burial site where Robert Fox discovered the “Yawning Jar” in 1965. More famous for its luxury accommodation amidst its stunning karst formation and scenic shallow lagoon in an enclosed cove, Lagen Island recently added a few amenities and facilities to keep itself in-step with its recently opened sister resort, Pangulasian Island.

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