Several photos taken at Fortune Island have been flooding my Facebook timeline lately. It seems that a lot of people are all enraptured by the place. Well, who wouldn’t be?
The island is filled with Grecian architecture from the signature pillars of the Parthenon to the sculptures of ancient gods and mythical creatures.
I did my own research and found out that Fortune Island was a luxury resort back in the mid-90s, owned by Antonio Leviste, an ex-governor of Batangas. The resort’s target market was the rich and famous, such as celebrities and powerful politicians. Unfortunately, its popularity didn’t last long.
The reason for its downfall was simply the lack of a good source of fresh water. They tried digging in many parts of the island, but found none. It would be very ironic for an exclusive luxurious resort not to be able to offer the promise of extravagance without an ample supply of fresh water.
I was spellbound by the story of the island. Just imagine the very huge cost of constructing the resort and eventually abandoning it. It was crazy. Nevertheless, it aroused my curiosity and made me decide to visit the place. After all, it is also a great place to take photos in, camp, stargaze, enjoy a bonfire and swim.
The best time to go and see the island is throughout the summer months. Also, leave early. It is best to reach the jump-off area in Nasugbu by 4am. Travel time by boat is between 1-1.5hrs. Keep in mind that Fortune Island Resort is not a functioning resort, though, meaning fresh water and toilets are not available on the island. Enjoy!
