Growing up in Batangas, I’ve always heard about Verde Island as a paradise with a wealthy secret. It’s something my late grandfather used to talk about. One doesn’t reach the fabled land easily. Isla Verde, my lolo claimed, is surrounded by monstrous waves. But one day, he said, if we would be good and do good, we’ll set foot in the island and enjoy the treasures it hides. It is the positive, rewarding counterpoint to Mt. Maculot, which was used by our village elders as a threat and punishment. The nice people go to Isla Verde, and the naughty are abducted by the witch of Maculot.
Of course, as a grownup, I don’t believe that anymore. Well, to be honest, I don’t think I ever did. It sounded like something my lolo just made up to inspire and scare his little grandchildren into behaving well. But when I finally jumped out of the boat and stepped on its glistening shore, it felt like every quiet moment I spent here was a reward earned, like I had been good all my life.
These days, Isla Verde is no longer the mythical land my grandfather painted in my head. It is, in fact, an island off the coast of Batangas City. It’s composed of six barangays and is home to over 6200 residents. Now that I had the pleasure of visiting it, I can confidently report that I had zero sightings of souls, children or otherwise.
But if there’s one thing that my grandpa got right, it’s that it shelters enormous riches! But instead of gold or coins, Isla Verde is a treasure trove of marine life. I knew this even back when I was in High School. When we crossed Verde Island Passage on the way to Mindoro, I saw dolphins for the first time in my life. They swam and jumped alongside our boat. It was magical, but not surprising at all. Isla Verde rises in the middle of this passage, which is described by a 2007 Smithsonian Institute study as the “center of the center” of the world’s marine biodiversity citing the high concentration of marine species.
Isla Verde is isolated from the rest of the province. While Batangas City is developed, the island is far from it. There is no consistent supply of electricity. Residents rely on generators, which are run from 6pm-10pm only. Some resorts use solar panels, but they can’t provide 24/7 power either. Hence, be prepared before arriving in the island. Bring power banks (mobile chargers). And if you really can’t stand the heat, get one of those mobile battery-powered fans.