Caramoan Island: 'Surviving in paradise'

Surviving in paradise by Malou Liwanag-Aguilar/AJPress THERE is no doubt that the Philippines has earned its reputation for having beautiful beaches. There’s Boracay, a favorite destination of both local and foreign tourists, Palawan, which is considered as the last frontier, and Siargao as a surfing haven.

But somewhere in Southern Luzon, in the coastal town of Camarines Sur, a spot had caught the eye of the international reality TV series, Survivor.

The French version of this popular and widely watched show has chosen Caramoan Island in Camarines Sur as its location.  A host to a group of small islands, Caramoan is a paradise with its white sand beaches and unspoiled mountain ranges.  The islands of Carmoan have remained pristine and undeveloped through the years because of the lack of infrastructure like roads and bridges.  This isolation has made it less accessible to the other parts of the region, only connected by sea for its commercial survival.  

Once a little-known tourist destination, the crew of Survivor and the national government visited the area and later decided to use Gota Island, one of the major islands facing the Pacific Ocean, as the venue to film the Survivor series.  The show started filming last February, but word got out that the whole crew members were enthralled with the beauty of the island that they decided to stay even after they finished production.

The Department of Tourism is also anticipating the arrival of tourists, as the show begins airing this month in Europe, Canada and other French-speaking nations, and is expected to reach at least seven million viewes in France, Belgium, Switzerland and countries in North Africa. The island will be showcased in the show called Koh-Lanta Caramoan, which will air until September.  (www.asianjournal.com)