Lubang Island: A Primer

The Island of Lubang in the province of Occidental Mindoro has hardly caught the interest of travel writers and documenters. And this is a grave disservice, not only to the island and its tourism economy, but to photography and travel enthusiasts everywhere. Many people are just not aware that only 150 kilometers away towards the southwest of Manila, is an idyllic paradise of rustic simplicity, with people as warm as they are enamored to living the simple life of traditional folk. 

Agriculture and fishing are the main livelihood of residents, and this is instantly seen a few meters from the seaport town of Tilik, as the island's circumferential main road cuts between the coastline with its rows of fishing boats and kubos (homes) of fisherfolk on one side and rich lush greenfields of palay, corn, garlic and other food crops on the other. The island is home to a mere 24,000 or so residents. Homes are largely made from wood and thatch leaves, although more modern ones are now built with concrete. While going around, you'll be surprised just how peaceful and serene everywhere seems to be. For Lubang surely possesses one of the lowest crime rates for municipalities in the country, and that's a load off the mind of every photographer who needs to carry around his or her thousands of pesos worth of equipment.

Stories abound in this place which is rich in cultural and historic significance. Oldtimers will recall that Lubang was the venue of the Japanese World War II straggler Hiroo Onoda's exploits, and his re-surfacing sometime in the early 1970s when he became aware of the end of the war. To date there is the Onoda Trail maintained by the local government for thrill seekers wanting to retrace the steps of the former Japanese straggler and have an idea of how he lived in the island during the years he was hidden there.

In the 1960s a group of local school children apparently became the visionaries of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Concepcion, in the Island Barangay of Cabra, which is known also for its tasty beef. Although the apparition is not officially recognized by the Catholic Church, local accounts of the story of the apparitions abound, and a small chapel and shrine overlooking the sea stands to mark the exact place of the apparitions. Also, in Cabra Island stands a centuries old lighthouse constructed of brick and mortar which draws visitors for its old time charm and unique location in the middle of a garlic plantation. 

Many people will also be surprised to know that the Pandanggo sa Ilaw, where men and women dance with lighted candles balanced on their heads and hands, which is one of the Philippines' more recognizable traditional cultural dances, has its roots in the island of Lubang. Women folk, it seems, would wait onshore until dusk for their fishermen husbands, with lighted candles and lamps to guide the menfolk home. 

Lubang is one of those places where the richness and simplicity of traditional Philippine lifestyle is still alive and experienced day to this day. It is best to experience Lubang by immersing oneself among its people and their activities, especially in the month of May where the Mayohan culture of Fiesta, music, dance and postharvest euphoria is celebrated every day.



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