*January 2018
A family-owned, private island in Batangas, Berlonggo’s rocky feature, together with some of the ruined bahay-na-bato and big statues that proudly stand on their respective area will definitely draw people’s curiosity to check what this ancient-like island has to offer. As per our personal experience, an overnight stay was not enough to savor the tranquillity of the place. The scent of the chilly sea-salted air has this calming effect that relaxes our exhausted mood from work.
A family-owned, private island in Batangas, Berlonggo’s rocky feature, together with some of the ruined bahay-na-bato and big statues that proudly stand on their respective area will definitely draw people’s curiosity to check what this ancient-like island has to offer. As per our personal experience, an overnight stay was not enough to savor the tranquillity of the place. The scent of the chilly sea-salted air has this calming effect that relaxes our exhausted mood from work.
Right
in the middle of the island stands a 3-storey wooden house specifically built
to shelter its visitors. It doesn’t have much except for a cot, a long table,
and a couple of benches, but guests can “pitch” a tent on its first floor. The upper
deck of this wooden house is where you can capture and admire
the beauty of every angle of the island. It’s the best spot for a group of
people to simply be together and talk. It’s also an ideal place for someone who
wants to have me-time.
It’s
cold at night, hence setting up a bonfire would be nice. The stars and the moon
are the only source of light in the island at night, but we were provided with
a light bulb for added lighting. It’s best to stay in the wooden house beyond 7 p.m.
This
part of the island is where the guests would normally swim. Unlike the area
fronting the wooden house, this place isn’t covered with sea weeds, but it’s
surrounded by rocks of various sizes. Swimmers must take caution to avoid
getting cuts and being dragged anywhere by the strong current. Bringing
children to swim is still possible, but adults need to be at least a good
swimmer and must walk with extra care. Stepping on rough rocks can’t be avoided
before reaching the swimming area, which can go deeper than 5 feet.
Non-swimmers must wear a life-vest and are not advised to go farther.
Since it is a family-owned
island, most of the guests who come here are either the owners’ relatives or
friends (the daughter of the co-owner of the island is my former co-teacher).
We enjoyed our stay and in our next visit, I’ll bring a good book, pen and
notebook, and set of songs to listen 
