CULASI, ANTIQUE — A long, beautiful white sandbar full of smiling locals greeted us as we approached Mararison Island (also known as Malalison), a small fishing village in this town.
It was one of those moments when calm seas gave us more than we expected.
Traveling with a group of media friends from Manila, we made a short stop here to see what this island could offer that other famous resorts in the Visayas couldn’t. The kids surrounded us almost immediately, jump shots included, and we knew right away this island was different.
The 20-minute boat ride from the town proper was short, but long enough to trade stories with the locals who came along — about life in this town and its surrounding villages, and their pride in its natural wonders. They told us the folklore of Malalison: one of three islands, alongside Maningning and Batbatan, believed to be the banished daughters of Mt. Madjaas, the highest peak in Panay at over 2,000 meters above sea level, which overlooks all three. What they didn’t tell us was how beautiful this experience would be, especially for those of us who spend our days as prisoners of cubicles back in Manila.
At Malalison, we got quality time with the locals, tropical views all around us, and powdery sand beneath our feet.
After devouring fresh coconuts, we found ourselves on jet skis, exploring parts of the island as the kids cheered us on, waiting for our return.
That visit was in 2012. Six years later, the memory is still vivid — as vivid as this photo of the local kids jumping with us for a shot. (Yes, they were looking at me on the other side, but I cropped myself out for vanity’s sake. LOL.)
The friendly kids of Malalison play with us as we enjoy the long sand bar that serves as their playground when the tide is low. Who wouldn’t love the vibe on this island? – TravelMore Photo, 2012
Antique is one of the provinces on Panay Island, along with Iloilo, Capiz, and Aklan. All four are rich in ecological wonders that could easily draw tourists, but it’s Aklan — home to the now-controversial Boracay — that has captured the world’s attention, and with it, most of Panay’s tourism revenue.
Highlighting this town’s beauty was part of Antique’s push to position itself as an alternative destination in Western Visayas. Our visit was part of a weeklong local exploration to experience the province for ourselves.
Six years on, it seems Antique is finally getting the attention it deserves. This island alone has served many tourists since then, and we admire how it’s stayed free of big transient houses — the local community still hosts anyone who wants to explore and stay a night, or more.
Backpackers enjoy the view atop the grassy hills of Malalison in Antique as seen in this photo taken by Harly Limlingan Marcuap one lazy afternoon. The island positions itself as an alternative to the other crowded resorts in the region.
Our Malalison visit was short. With bad weather threatening later that day, we didn’t get to spend the night on the island the way other travelers do now, but it was enough to leave a mark.
Before sunset, we found ourselves heading back to Culasi’s town proper for dinner, then on to another town for the night.
These days, Malalison is still the island for anyone who wants to unplug, away from the crowd and the chaos of the city. With few amenities — even 24-hour electricity is a bonus — it’s serene, laid-back, and never too crowded: the real island experience.
The hills, the views from up top, the sandbars, the beaches, the sand, and the sea are all yours to enjoy. If you’re lucky like we were, you can jet ski around the island without limits. If there’s no jet ski around, just ask any of the fishermen for a ride.
Other Parts of Antique
Antique offers more than just Malalison. Its closest neighbor, Batbatan Island, and Nablag islet are worth a visit too. And don’t skip Mt. Madja-as — he’s waiting for mountaineers to explore his majesty. You can ask him what happened to his daughters.
For those chasing waterfalls, Culasi has Bulwang Falls, Silay Bagyo Falls, and Kipot Falls.
In neighboring Tibiao, visitors can try the renowned kawa bath and white-water rafting, while Pandan has its own beautiful beaches waiting to be enjoyed. Then there’s Malumpati Cold Spring, the go-to spot for locals on a day trip.
A week isn’t enough to fully explore Antique’s beauty — reason enough to return. What we experienced then is still worth retelling, even six years later on this new platform. Consider this the start of our 2018 Antique series.
What’s your Antique experience? Share it in the comments.