Pollilio Island

The beautiful island of Pollilio is situated North-East of Quezon, Island of Luzon. It is a secluded paradise with endemic plants, flowers, trees and animals found only in my beloved Philippines.  River systems criss-cross the tiny island which provides the inhabitants with filtered water originating from the sea. 

Pollilio Island has a delicate ecological balance that supports nature without the intervention of people.  For this reason, it has become a well guarded secret for nature and beach-lovers.

However, every last quarter of the year, the island is cleansed by tropical storms. Pollilio Island also has the nasty reputation of being a storm landing front, being at the gateway of the biggest Island in Luzon. The island acts as a natural barrier for storms that will enter through Quezon province. 

But during the months from March to May where there is only drizzle of rain, this is the place for eco-tourists and lovers.

This is where the story of Anya and Alejandro flourished. 

It was October,Y1968 and an engineering class of the Univ of the Philippines were having an environmental assessment  program on Pollilio Island for Northern Luzon’s  Submarine-Cabling project . 

Alejandro is a photography nut. An addict with the camera. He does not seem to mind the hours spent taking pictures and perfecting his first passion.  He spends his allowance on books and catalogues to enrich his knowledge in this craft. Perhaps he has a natural eye for light, shade, and colors and the ability to capture it in perfect timing.. Alejandro also has a second passion. A secret passion for his best friend, Anya. 

Anya is a nature lover. She loves the weekend “get aways” to provinces she has not visited before.  She enjoyed being in engineering because of site visits to remote places in the Philippines where communication towers were being studied for construction. It was a free pass to exotic places where nature is abundant with all it’s blessings.  She keeps dozens of albums of pictures  all the places she’s been to. Most of the pictures were given by Alejandro who has been a best friend since their freshman year. 

The two friends who are now in their senior year are enjoying the last rays of the day along the peak of a mountain.  Alejandro felt this is the time to let Anya know of his feelings. But he does not have the words to articulate them. Instead, he reaches for Anya’s hand and gives her a firm squeeze.  Anya is not surprised as they have held each others hands many times in the past without malice.  Alejandro wraps his shoulders around Anya and waits for a punch or slap on the face. It does not come. Anya quietly rests her head into Alejandro’s heaving chest.  They take a moment of silence, waiting for what will happen next. 

Anya looks up to Alejandro, wraps her arm around his neck and pulls him to her waiting lips. Their first attempt at lips-locking was a resounding success.  They break off for air and instinctively find each others  lips once again. This time, kissing with passion and gusto.  After what seems to be an eternity of lips-locking, the couple settles on the cool grass and embraced tightly.  No words were said. None would make meaning.  It was a moment that they have already crossed which could never be undone. They were no longer just ordinary friends, they were already lovers. 

They rejoined the main group as the last streak of light is replaced by the beautiful twinkle of night stars.  During summers in Pollilio Island, one has to lie down on the cool grass and view the majestic display of the heavens. You can clearly see the stars sprawled in our milky way as if it was a canvass of paint. 

The evening seemed to pass very slowly for the two lovers now masquerading as friends.  It was first uneasy on both but they soon got the hang of it. Secret winks, stolen glimpses, and occasional catching of each other’s hands sent electrifying pulses to both of them. 

After a heartfelt dinner and drinks, the two proceeded to Punta De Sta Maria, the highest point of the camp and set-up telescopes to monitor the incoming tide. The sea was illuminated with lights from the fishermen’s lanterns.  They were like fire-flies wading on top of the water.

They put down their gear and settled in together with their equipment.  They covered the cool surface floor with an insulating blanket and they lay down  side by side.  With no further words required, the lovers searched for each others kiss.   With the half-crescent moon overcast, Alejandro and Anya made love. 

The morning after was quite surreal for the couple.  In a matter of less than 24 hours, their four year friendship blossomed into love.  The next two days on the Island was like a scene from a tropical movie wherein lovers enjoyed the bounty of sea and land without a care in the world. 

October 31, last day on the Island of Pollilio.  Anya was in very high spirits as she stowed away her gear and was getting ready for the water-craft to bring them back to Sariaya, Quezon.   Alejandro was not in the camp.  Frantically, Anya searched for Alejandro and caught up with him at Station-II, his gear still unpacked.

Anya asked why he wasn’t ready yet.  Alejandro replied…”I have a lot of things in my mind” 

“Oh really? Asked Anya”…”  …“I  would like to know what” 

“Anya..I am not yet ready for a commitment”… 

The statement caught Anya of guard and sent a stinging blow down to her gut.  She paused for what seemed to be an eternity. 

“Alejandro…I don’t know what you’re trying to say but I will not hold you accountable for what happened last night. I wanted it to happen…”  as tears now flowed on Anya’s cheeks. 

With his most humble tone, Alejandro blurted out ….“No, it’s not that.  I just can’t see myself having a commitment at this time although I am sure about my feelings for you..” 

This statement blew Anya away.   She has nurtured this secret feeling of love for Alejandro all these years and now when things were out in the open, it was about to be thrown out the window.

“Alejandro, commitment is something we work on together, it is not just about you”…countered Anya. 

“ I hate to break your heart Anya, but I am not yet ready, I am really sorry”….. 

“Don’t be sorry Alejandro , I am the fool who expected more than friendship because you never did say you loved me”….. 

Alejandro could do nothing but bite his lips. He could not explain the mixed feelings he was having.  At this point in time, he could simply not commit to a relationship.

The landing craft was boarded by mid-day and the two sat as far away from each other.  The rest of the school year passed uneventful. Anya never joined another out-of-town trip as she became reclusive until graduation. 

Forty-two summers have passed  and Alejandro has a family of his own. However, once a year, during the month of March , he takes a solitary break to the Island of Pollilio, hoping to catch a glimpse of his beloved Anya. 

His memory is already faltering as he could not remember the exact year when his beloved Anya took away her own life in this same island,  years after they left UP. 

Courage if the fuel that fires commitment. The first step in every relationship. 

He hopes Anya will find it in her heart to forgive him when they meet again at the Pearly Gates and recover the lost experience of Pollilio Island