Coron Memoirs - The Last Part : Historic Culion

Culion Island Tour is offered by almost all local tour operators in Coron town, however, only a handful of the tourist who come here avail of it. Culion does not offer beaches nor snorkeling grounds, but history.

During the early 19th century Culion island is more known as the leper colony. As what I can remember from my Philippine History class, during this period, lepers from all over the Philippines are brough to this 'remote' island for cure and rehabilitation. If you want to know more of the details on the history of the island, 'i-google mo lang', so to speak.

My curiousity won over me so i have no choice but to hire a motorized banca to bring me to Culion, wait for me while I go around the place and bring me back to Coron. Standard rates for the motorized banca is in the range of P2,500.00 - P3,000.000 for one whole day.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/1250, ISO400

We started out early, around 7am. The trip to the island would take between 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the sea condition.

On the way to Culion, one passes through several islands and islets with white beaches. The rows of pearl farms dotting the calm seas suggest that we are nearing the island.

It is a fine and sunny Saturday morning.

A stark contrast to the port of Coron which was bustling with activities as we left, the port of Culion where we docked was so quite. It's as if life here is on a stand-still that Saturday morning I arrived.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM,
 f8, 1/1250, ISO400

This barren tree guarding this monument seemed to be the only 'welcoming committee' that came to greet me upon my arrival.

The poblacion proper is situated above the hill. One takes a tricycle to reach the place or take a hike. I walked so I could have a feel of the place and the people, hopefully. I'm sure in your minds you are now asking if I met lepers during my walk. NONE.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM,
f11, 1/1250, ISO400

These fisher-folks may have been descendants of the early inhabitants of the island.

Accordingly, there are only a handful of leprosy patients left in the island. Those who have been healed have been reintegrated into society. Those with active leprosy are admitted and placed in a
special section in the Culion General Hospital, formerly known as the Culion Leprosarium.

The nearest to a leper that I saw during my visit was a former patient, i guess, judging from the physical deformities to her body characteristic of the disease. She was happily chatting with a group of 'normal' folks.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/1250, ISO400

Culion was a fort during the Spanish Era. The newly restored 'parola' is the highest structure in the poblacion area. This structure still has the original two bronze canons used to thwart invaders to the island. 

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/1250, ISO400

One should not fail to climb this lighthouse for it provides a stunning 180-degree view of the island and the bay.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/1250, ISO400

The Jesuit influence is very obvious here in Culion. During my walk, I passed by a mausoleum of the pioneering SJ priests who first came to the island. The school and the parish church are run by the Jesuits.

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/60, ISO400

You haven't been to Culion if you failed to visit the Leprosy Museum which is located inside the compound of the Culion General Hospital. The minimal entrance fee is nothing compared to the information and insight you get while going through the museum.  It can be eerie or spooky, but just consider it that by going through the various displays inside you get to be a part of history.

The poblacion. Culion's center of commerce. 

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f8, 1/400, ISO400

I took a tricycle from this point and headed back to the motorized banca for my return to Coron Island. I instructed the boatman and his assistant to buy fresh fish and rice earlier before we left for Culion for our lunch.

The island has only one or two lodging places.  The more prominent one is locations near the parish church.

This barren tree had been the 'welcoming committee' as well as the 'send-off committee'.  

Canon 40D, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, f11, 1/1250, ISO400 

Its role will still be both the same to each and every visitor who arrives and departs to and from Culion, an island which played a significant role in our history.

feel free to post questions regarding this post and ill reply the soonest possible

- alr