Monday, February 6, 2012

Culion | Visiting Culion


CULION | Visiting Culion
A History Of People Fighting For Survival


Culion is part of the Calamian islands, way off from Coron. But is a place worthy of mention because of its rich history, of people dedicating their life's work to eradicate the biblical disease called leprosy. Culion went down in history books and was placed in the map to be the world's biggest leper colony that started when Americans colonized the Philippines. I am no historian although history fascinates me, so I will describe instead my thoughts and impressions about Culion as a newbie photo enthusiast.


The small tourist boat from Coron arrive around mid-day on an unassuming port. Seems like the boatman can dock anywhere he pleases, the pier where we docked had residential homes in it. This boy was watching his friend play in the waters, as he saw my fellow guest taking a picture of his friend.. He said "Hala ka, Nakuhanan ka ng picture!" I was amused, as he sounded more like jealous. So I indulge in taking his photo, only that I already passed him by. So without him knowing, and with him looking away, I took the shot. I still like it though even when he's not looking in the camera.


We hired a tricycle after getting to the main road at Php 8 each. The town is small and by reading through part of its history, this small municipality was young, very young indeed. The town's folk were pleasant but curious, more like were the only people who chose to visit their town on this day when every tourist from Coron went on island hopping spree on the neighboring beautiful locations. The photo above shows a picture taken from the steps of the Church of Immaculate Conception. From afar, the Church is very visible as it perch on top of a hill facing the hillside that shows the symbol for medicine, I have no idea what it's called.


Our goal for this trip is mainly to visit Culion Museum and Archives. Upon arrival, we paid entrance Php 100 for local tourist like us. We paid it in the hospital counter. We also had to wait for a few minutes for the caretaker to open the museum.

This photo is a bust replica of a patient suffering from leprosy, its a very compelling bust, one that I had seen many times from other bloggers and visitors to this place.

We spent almost an hour watching a film showing of how Culion became the largest leper colony in the world and the quest of people finding a cure for the disease, it also showed how resilient are the people who had lived here in exile. Inside the Museum are photo galleries of doctors and patients, of Nun's and Nurses, of the afflicted children and of the people who work in establishing Culion. We were allowed to take pictures inside but I'd prefer not to post them as it should technically be off limits for pictures and more so as respect for the people of Culion and the photographers who owns the pictures in the gallery.

After exploring all the rooms of the museum, we went to the Church of Immaculate Conception, beautiful church placed in idyllic location, at its back is the old parola.

I was the last of the guest to come out of the Museum, in the town, I was looking for something to eat. I forgot it's noontime already and I haven't had lunch. But i'm already behind the others, so up I went to the church but instead of going inside, I sidestep and went to the old Parola at the back and ruins of an old watch tower.




Ellie, an adventurous backpacker I met on this trip is already in the Parola taking stock of the beautiful surroundings. I wasn't using my DSLR on this trip but rather my new point and shoot camera on HD mode. It's no surprising that the pictures look saturated and defined, but I tell you even if it's not on HD, the picture would still look great in here, and I could say it's probably the most scenic spot in Culion, I wish I could be here on a sunrise.



Modern medicine has already found a cure for leprosy but the stigma to those that had been afflicted and was cured lived on. It's no surprise considering that it's even mentioned in the bible where Jesus cured a leper. Leprosy still exist and is not yet fully eradicated, as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. We should have that realization that leprosy is not as contagious as it was believed to be, and that it's not a curse but rather a condition that requires attention and those that are afflicted needs understanding and care above all else.

"The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted"
- Mother Teresa


Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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32 comments:

  1. I so love the pics! Parang pang-coffee table book.

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  2. "The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted". Love this. Love this trip you took, as well. Off the beaten path and Inspiring.

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  3. The first blog post I read about Culion is from Estan of Langyaw. What makes your post different is that your photos brought me closer to Culion.

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  4. We missed this when we went to Coron... If ever I come back, I want to visit this and Calauit as well... thanks for sharing awesome photos! :)

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  5. wow what a nice place! super ganda! yeah during those times na no cure pa ang leprosy pinandidirihan sila talaga, tapos nilagay lang sila sa iisang place like parang inantay lang silang mamatay.. so sad. good thing curable na sya now like tuberculosis. sana cancer din may cure na soon! praying for that... ;)

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  6. This is the first Culion post I've read, though I've already seen it in documentaries. Thanks to modern medicine, cure's been discovered. Though it couldn't completely heal emotional pain, it offers hope.

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  7. will definitely go there once I set foot in Coron.. BTW, ang gaganda ng pics mo. super linaw! what point and shoot cam are you using?

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  8. @Joan - Yung Panasonic Lumix TS3, digicam. :)

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  9. nakakainggit ang mga pictures... kailan kaya ako makakabili ng camera na ganyan kaganda ang kuha...

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  10. grabe ung unang pic mo, parang buhay na buhay.. :P

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  11. as usual, here is a post I wanted to stay on my mind, forever captured. the photos you took here are exceptionally great. thanks Francis for this!

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  12. First of all, let me say that I love your pictures! The colors come alive. :D It's great that aside from the usual activities, you were able to visit this place that played a big role in the town.

    Btw, I was surprised when you said at the end that you were not using your DSLR. What camera did you use? I am planniong a camera upgrade but I prefer a portable camera rather than a DSLR. I'm planning to buy Canon S95 but I think I might change my mind, hehe.

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  13. I love your photographs! What is the brand of your camera? Paki pm sa akin :-) I agree with you an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

    Hansen’s disease is caused due to prolonged close contact with an infected person.

    Avoid transmission of nasal droplet from an untreated diseased person.

    Our body is naturally immune to the bacteria, and those persons who do become infected are experiencing a severe allergic reaction to the disease. Try to improve the immunity by following a healthy disease.

    Malnutrition is another reason to get infected. Add rich nutrients to your diet.

    Take BCG preventive which offers variable amount of protection against leprosy.

    Educating the patients about its cause can also prevent the spreading of leprosy.

    Taking of appropriate antibiotics stops the person from spreading the disease.

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  14. oh you amazed me! love those shots! Culion is onmy bucket list, someday someday!

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  15. Keep up the good work, I've never heard of this place as a leper place but I gained something after reading your blog. :)

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  16. my friends and i never got to culion when we went to palawan. sayang. seems like a charming place to be at. nice photos, as always :)

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  17. I wonder why this place was turned into a leper colony by the Americans. Was it only by virtue of its remoteness? Lovely photos, as usual. Kahit pumopoint and shoot lang, ang galing pa rin. :)

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  18. I can see you have a nice experience at Culion and you give life to countryside that is always left unnoticed.

    Your pictures even give justice to the life that you want to share about the this place. They are all wonderful.

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  19. Great Page and interesting Post.

    Wow I think you've been all over the Globe.

    Thanks for sharing and keep posting!

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  20. First time I've heard of Culion and it seems interesting. Great pics!

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  21. What I love about this blog is that aside from the beautiful photographs artistically taken, I love how you do your write up. The way of narration is simple and is filled with the needed details about the place.

    Count me as a fan.

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  22. this is an interesting place.. gosh kagulat naman yung bust :)

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  23. Correct! your experience and article is very useful and factful.

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  24. As what Jesus Christ had done to us, He loved the sinners and hated the sins. Thus, a leper is. He should be treated to recover and not to be condemned. Leprosy instead should be hated and be eradicated.

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  25. Loved the photos and the way you write about the place. :)

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  26. ay hindi ko naexplore to nung nagcoron ako last year.

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  27. Hey! Raffy here, we met in the van going to Coron town. I was smitten by Culion... 2 nights was way too short, have to go back! Hehe. Gorgeous photos ;-)

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  28. @Raffy - hello!!! I met you again here! nice! The tripfeels kind of short.. Coron is really special! I can't compare it to something else. We are planning to go back to El Nido again to complete the other tours we didn't take last time, hopefully Coron will be on my list before this year ends.. But I intend to visit Cuyo island at least! :)

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  29. uy worth it ba na i tour ang culion? iniisip ko kung punta ako o hindi eh..

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  30. Hi Christian!
    For a photographer of your caliber.
    You'll give justice to have a picture of Culion in your arsenal. :)

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  31. I am going back to Coron for this. May special something akong gustong puntahan sa museum :) Salamat dito :D

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