Cover A beautiful sunset backdrops Culion’s alluring islands

‘It Girl’ and entrepreneur Jessica Wilson explores the magnificent islands of northern Palawan and shares her experience in safe travelling during a pandemic

British-Filipina beauty Jessica Wilson has seen some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. From the snow-capped mountains of Niseko and the raw beauty of Nepal to captivating Istanbul, New Zealand, Italy and Spain, her list goes on. And yet, she keeps going back to Coron.

She explains: “I love the deep blue ocean colour surrounded by massive mountains that remind me of Jurassic Park, untouched and majestic. The fresh open air and space, the most beautiful beaches in the world, the island trips and the kamayan [eating without utensils] lunches, the amazing sunsets and, most especially, the stars that cover the sky at night are some of my favourites.” And confesses after returning from another trip to the Last Frontier early this year: “This is probably my fifth time now [there].” 

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Above Jessica Wilson with fiancé Moritz Gastl out in the sun

Coron belongs to the Calamianes, a group of idyllic islands in northern Palawan famous for its karst limestone formations, shipwrecks, breath-taking dive spots and long pristine beaches. It shares this group with major islands such as Busuanga, Culion and Calauit as well as smaller but equally astounding ones like Malcapuya, Banana, Pass, Calumbuyan and several minor islets. “Initially, I was quite nervous and anxious about flying and travelling. But you’d be surprised how quickly you adapt. For me, it’s all just about adapting to the times and not looking for the old normal but accepting this is what life is like now and we just have to move with it,” she says.

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Above A majestic view of Coron Bay from the Kayangan Lake view deck
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Above The yacht ready for a romantic sunset cruise

Wilson flew on a chartered flight to the majestic island destination with her German-born fiancé Moritz Gastl, her cousin Ava Daza with husband Luch Zanirato, make-up artist Anthea Bueno and photographer Jonathan de Guzman. “Being together with friends and [being] able to travel again after what felt like an impossible idea for a while,” she says, is the most memorable part of this trip.

While cruising at an altitude on board Sunlight Air, the group couldn’t help but be mesmerised time and again by the spectacular views from thousands of feet above. “It was seamless, quick, safe and efficient. [It is the] best way to travel these days as you get to avoid all the [public] airports and minimise exposure to people,” she says, relieved to be able to travel despite the current situation. In an hour and 20 minutes, they landed at the quaint Busuanga airport and from there, their four-day adventure began.

See Also: Discover Flower Island Resort In Palawan

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Above Wilson in Kayangan Lake
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Above Ava Daza with husband Luch Zanirato
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Photo 1 of 2 Wilson with cousin Ava Daza aboard the resort’s luxurious 35m yacht
Photo 2 of 2 The calm waters of Coron Bay beckons

Wilson and the squad stayed in Culion, a municipality 45 minutes away by boat from Coron. “Waking up to the sound and sight of the ocean right outside our villa was magical, after being cooped up indoors all of 2020,” Wilson shares, falling in love with vistas of the island gem that is the 18-hectare Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort, which features 55 water villas similar to those seen in the Maldives. Surrounded by clear cerulean waters and with glass floors that give a peek into the rich marine life beneath, the Sirakan Villa where they stayed is just the right venue to be cocooned in. Setting foot on this piece of paradise is a perfect way to detach oneself from the bustling city life Wilson and her companions left behind temporarily.

Besides the inviting villas, guests are sure to be enticed to go outdoors and bask in the sun while lounging on any of the two powdery beaches on the east and west side of the island resort. The expansive stretch of white sand serves as an oasis of privacy and tranquillity, ideal for meditative walks and yoga sessions, or seaside picnics. At sunset, the infinity pool at the heart of the island is bathed with pops of fiery skies slowly blending into the night. Mobility within the resort is efficient with bicycles and golf carts at the guests’ disposal.

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Photo 1 of 3 Wilson and Gastl on a sunset cruise
Photo 2 of 3 The cousins enjoying the clear waters of Kayangan Lake
Photo 3 of 3 An aerial view of Sunlight Ecoturism Island Resort

The group went on a day out in the sea on the resort’s luxurious yacht, where they enjoyed every single minute of island living—from the refreshing sea breeze to the calm waters and spectacular scene. Another day was spent island hopping, snorkelling at a Second World War shipwreck site and a coral garden, as well as exploring the twin lagoon and the iconic Kayangan Lake. The latter, which used to be Coron’s most visited and most photographed tourist destination, seems to have well recuperated from the mad crowd after months of lockdown. The result is a stunning haven in its most serene state. “[We went] snorkelling and swimming in the lakes. Luch did some freediving. [Then] we had my favourite, kamayan lunch,” Wilson shares.

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The four-day island retreat is not enough to immerse into the magnificence of the Calamianes. And while Wilson would love to go and explore other beguiling Philippine destinations such as El Nido, Siargao, Batanes, Sagada, Romblon and Zambales, one thing is for sure: she’d definitely go back to Coron this summer for her late birthday celebration. “Travelling is a bit more difficult now with testing and quarantining; but all in all, I still enjoyed every bit of it,” she says, happy and blessed to be able to travel securely in this time of the pandemic.


This story was originally published in the May 2021 issue of Tatler Philippines. Download it on your digital device via Zinio, Magzter, or Pressreader.

Credits

Photography  

Jonathan De Guzman

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