The Story of the Coron Island of Palawan

Once upon a time, there was a hidden place here in the Philippines where, at least, you could find no one except the mother and daughter living in the high mountains of Coron. In this area, many people have tried to dare to enter, but once there, you will not be able to leave or return to the city. There is a woman named Isla who takes care of her beloved mother who is sick because she can no longer work as she was injured in a mountain fall. Isla was also unable to continue her studies due to a lack of funds, so she just focused on planting sweet potatoes, bananas, and various kinds of vegetables rather than being emotional. Once, while Isla was doing her laundry, she heard a dog barking and the rustling of the branches, so she felt like someone had dared to climb the mountain. She took some clothes from the clothesline and hurriedly hid inside their house. Her mother notices that her daughter Isla seems to be being chased by someone. What is that you are looking out there at the window? her mother asked. “I heard that someone was coming to our place so I immediately ran inside”, Isla replied. Isla saw a handsome man with narrowed eyes, red lips, and an elegant physique. He looked like he had come from a long journey and in their well he drank water while he took off his hat. Isla came out of her hiding place and spoke to the gentle person who was resting outside. “Excuse me sir, but do you need anything just in case I can help”, Isla asked caringly. The young man was surprised when he heard the woman’s voice, so he looked at it and was fascinated by the beauty he saw in Isla. What are you saying again, my beautiful young lady?" he stammered. “I said maybe you need something, so I will help you. And you seem to be getting lost and then you probably haven’t eaten your lunch yet”, Isla answered. “Yes, I do not know your place so I am looking for a way back to the city. I’ve been here for three days now so I don’t know what to do”, the young man pleaded. “You look kind and gentle so I will tell you the way back to the city. But on one condition, you do not have to tell anyone about the secret tunnel,” said Isla firmly. I promise Isla, by the way, my name is Homer,” he said. Isla invited him to join them for dinner and she also mentioned that Homer would be introduced to her mother. Soon Isla and Homer became friends until their relationship with each other deepened. Homer did not inform his parents about going to Mount Coron because he would not be allowed, so his frequent visits to the Island became secret. The young man soon courted Isla’s mother to allow her to court her daughter. Homer’s confession made the mother cry with joy because someone would take care of Isla when she died. “I see to you that you have a good heart, my son”, the mother said. ” I will love her faithfully and I will never leave Isla Mama”, Homer said honestly. A few minutes later, Isla arrived from their harvest of crops and she found her mother and Homer talking. She immediately kissed her mother’s forehead. Why are you here, Homer? Isla asked. “My dear Isla, your mother has agreed that I can count on you”, Homer replied with a smile. “Really? I love you”, Isla said, surprisingly. I love you too! Homer replied. From that day on, Isla’s sad life took on color because a great blessing came to her life, Homer, and she was able to help take care of her mother. With each passing day, Homer is more fascinated by Isla, not only because she is beautiful, but because of her openness of heart and unconditional love. Homer continued to court Isla by cutting wood, doing laundry, and cooking just to show his love is sincere for her, and eventually, soon Isla answered him. Their relationship lasted for many years, but in an unexpected event, all the happy memories they had with each other would end. Isla noticed that her loved one did not come to their place often, so she felt anxious and was able to calm herself. She wondered if it had betrayed him, but Homer could not have done that to him. Homer’s parents found out about him going to Mount Coron. They forbade him to go out because they did not want their son to be like those who dared to enter there and never return to the city. He remembered his sworn promise to Isla that the way out would not be told to anyone, so it could be said that Isla had saved him. The two never met again so Isla was very upset because she thought she might not be loved anymore. Homer, on the other hand, did not know how to say that he did not intend to leave Isla alone and did not fulfill his promise to marry her. Eventually, the young man is forced to marry a woman he does not love because it is commanded and desired by his parents. One time, Isla thought of informing her mother that she had just come down the mountain so she wanted to peek at the secret road and hoped Homer would return but she witnessed something else. She found out that Homer had married a rich woman who had broken her heart even more. Before Isla’s mourning for her beloved ended, a few days later her mother died in her arms. At that moment, her feelings are pure anger, sadness, and bitterness because the person she expects to love sincerely and whole will suddenly change. Many nights and days passed, Isla’s crying still did not end and even her loud screams of emptiness almost killed her. Since then, there have been rumors that the mysterious place that caused the waters of Mount Coron was due to the endless misery of Isla. They also noticed that Isla had suddenly disappeared like a bubble since she lost the two people she loved the most. You will notice that the water in Mount Coron is pure, unique, and as beautiful as Isla. It clearly reflects the goodness of her heart that she has and when thunder or lightning strikes at night those are Isla’s cries of emptiness. So the former mysterious place in the Philippines we can freely visit which later became the most popular destination today for many tourists in Palawan, Coron Island.