GENERAL MACARTHUR, Eastern Samar, (PNA) — If one wants to get away from a tiring work overload, there’s no better sweet escapade than a soothing stay at Minalungon Island, soon to become the most famous tourism destination in Samar.
The four-hectare paradise, hidden for quite some time, is one and a half kilometers away from the mainland of General MacArthur, a small town along the east coast of the province.
The town of General MacArthur is 118 kilometers away from the city of Tacloban, which may take a two-hour long drive.
Experiencing the sweet touch of paradise can finally be embraced within 18 minutes of a motor boat ride from the coastline of the town proper.
Fare from Tacloban City to General MacArthur through van-for-hire costs Php 200 and the rented motor boat between Php 350 to Php 500.
From afar, the island looks like a surfing board and the coconut trees like mushrooms standing on it.
With the island’s enchanting beauty, people will surely get tempted to throw themselves on its crystal clear waters while the white sand may bring back childhood memories of building castles.
Minalungon, as blessed with natural exotic beauty, usually receives short visits for special gatherings such as family reunions or get-together. But their 10 small cottages are now gone because of super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).
Bill Garcia, caretaker of Minalungon Island, said the island will soon become a tourism destination as a beach resort because their place is now undergoing renovation.
“We will rebuild the cottages and put a swimming pool in the middle of the Island. The owner is also planning to put a helipad here,” said Garcia.
He said the renovation might be finished before 2017.
The island will not only take a visitor to an adventure but will drive one back to its intriguing history.
According to old folklore, the cave found within the Island is where the bodies of native Filipinos and Spanish conquerors were buried during the Spanish era that is why it is called “Minalungon” because the term “Lungon” means coffin.
Many people believe, but the caretaker seemed to disagree saying the owner is about to change the island’s name, in a bid to make the place the pride of Samar as perfect destination for tourists. (PNA)
