Hermana Mayor and Menor Islands 4.56

AN ISOLATED paradise is one of two islands that can be reached from the shore of Barrio Bolitok (named after a species of fish found in abundance in the town of Sta. Cruz). Owned by a businessman now down on his luck, it is located in the last town of Zambales and adjacent to the first town of Pangasinan.



The land is lush, with about 250 hectares of hilly terrain. Half of the surrounding coast is bordered with coarse white sand.



The island is called Hermana Menor (literally, "younger sister") by townsfolk and visitors who get there arrive after a 30-minute boat ride. But only with the prior approval of, first, the caretaker Mang Puling and, second, Barangay Capt.



Hermana Menor sits next to the much larger "big sister," Hermana Mayor, where the land has been parceled off as reward to the owner's loyal workers. People say it has become a self-efficient community consisting of 100 families who raise their own food crops and livestock, maintain a chapel and an elementary school, and observe their own peace and order. Unlike in the other island, a stricter system of visiting appointments is followed in Hermana Mayor.