Mararison: Antique’s Paradise Island

By Apolinario Villalobos

If Mararison sounds strange, it is because, very few, so far the lucky ones were able to set foot on the island. It is not because it is privately-owned or a no-man’s land. It is simply because, it is somewhat out of the way. It one has taken a bus from Iloilo to Kalibo via the eastern coastal highway, he must have had a glimpse of the unassuming white island. A motor banca can be hired from Culasi to the island.

I had the chance to visit the island after I and the rest of the members of the Philippine Airlines Mountaineering Club who climbed Mt. Madja-as, highest peak of Antique with its 6,969 feet above sea level, took a respite before returning to Manila. We were lucky to have visited it in April 15, 1981, as the mayor, Romulo Alpas was planning to transform the island into a veritable tourist spot of the municipality, together with Mt. Madja-as.

Coming down from Mt. Madja-as, we went straight to the island, ferried by several pumpboats. The white island was well-endowed with coral gardens that can be seen through the clear water. Practically, the whole island was surrounded by coral gardens! Coral fish, soft corals in different hues beckoned to us who did not waste time in jumping into the crystal clear water.

On the eastern side of the island was a cave which the islanders consider most interesting part of the island due to flocks of bats that inhabit it. Elevated areas were decked with thick grass that turn into chocolate brown during summer and green on rainy days, giving the island a jaded hue when seen from a distance.

For our camping area, we chose the western beach which was closer to a spring by the sea. During low tide, it becomes the source of the cool and fresh water of the islanders. During high tide, the spring is submerged in the high tide. We were lucky during our sojourn as the full moon regaled us with its subdued glow from behind Mt. Madja-as. The fishermen brought us fishes on which we indulged while we were on the island.

Our nights on Mararison were spent on the white beach with Mrs. Enriqueta Victoriano, playing the role of our hostess. She and her children were could not understand our excitement to sleep on the beach using our sleeping mats and sleeping bags.

While enjoying our stay at Mararison, I recalled the time I was brought to the then, still “virgin” island of Boracay. I was praying then, that what happened to Boracay would not happen to Mararison.