Cari amici oggi voglio parlarvi dell’isola di Mararison, per i locali “malalison” che significa disobbediente. Secondo la leggenda, una ragazza di nome Mara si innamorò di uno sconosciuto. Una notte, contro il volere della sua famiglia, fuggì con lui. Gli amanti erano in mare quando arrivò la tempesta. Come dei bambini disubbidienti furono puniti. Cosa accadde? Il giorno successivo, gli abitanti del villaggio hanno trovato una bellissima isola, che hanno chiamato Mara, cioè la malalison. Sarà il suo lamento oggi a scuotere le braccia pungenti delle piante carnivore, che crescono sull’isola?
The Philippines consists of many islands, which showcases beautiful beaches, evergreen forests, tasty food and friendly locals. Along with the wonderful things that our country offers are rich and diverse culture associated with mystical tales. There are many places in the country that are loomed with mystery linked to the creatures we only hear from our grandparents. Others don’t believe in such stories; some even find them ridiculous. But still, there are plenty of people who believe in them, and do rites to protect themselves against evil spirits. While some are scared to visit mysterious places, others feel drawn to the thrill of knowing if the stories are real or not.
Antique is infamous for witchcraft and barang. Some residents even say that aswang and manananggal are often seen during the evening. But amid the scary stories revolving around the place, there are beautiful places waiting to be discovered. One of the must-see attractions of the province is the Mararison Island (also called Malalison Island) is a small fishing village off the coast of the town of Culasi. It is a 15-minute boat ride from mainland Antique. Based on local folklore, the islands of Mararison along with Maniguin and Batbatan are siblings separated from their parents – Mount Madjaas and Mount Kanlaon – by their envious neighbor Mount Baloy. The three islands seem to be reaching out to their grieving mother Madjaas, Mararison is the closest and just within reach. Elders in the island are very traditional. They usually do rituals, like Pang Luy-a, on the visitors or tourists to ward off the bad spirits.
With a land area of 55 hectares, the island is characterized by grassy rolling hills and white sandy beach on the eastern coast paving the way for the island to become a new tourism hotspot. During rainy season, the grassy hills resemble the rolling hills of Batanes. On dry months however, the place exudes a grassy summit of Mount Pulag feels. The grassy rolling hills are decorated with pitcher plants, quite amazing as this rare insect-eating plant is usually found in the forest but the rolling hills of Mararison Island seems like a farm.
A trek along the rolling hills takes around an hour and requires a local guide. The journey will take you to the western coast overlooking Nablag Islet, one of the best spots to see the sunset. The tourism boom is quickly changing the way the island lives as locals turn to guides and households into homestays. Mararison Island agreeably embraced its new found fate.
If you are up for a challenge and wants to make an unforgettable travel experience, check out the mystical places in the Philippines.
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