By Namor G Nagpala
Published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer of March 12, 2000. Original title: ‘Wonder brewing on Laguna Lake.’ Revised.
It was once a tear drop of the legendary goddess Maria Makiling, she who now guards the mountain named after her. On a clear day, you can see her beauty almost anywhere on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
Centuries ago, this tiny island lay at the bottom of Laguna De Bay. But now it is afloat and very much visible from the shoreline of Calamba, Laguna, like the mythical Fantasy Island beckoning to visitors.
It was affectionately called ‘Isla De Calamba’ by no less than our national hero himself, Dr Jose P Rizal. But to local residents, it has long been known simply as ‘Pulo’ (island).
The three-hectare Pulo is now being developed as the Wonder Island Resort of Calamba.
According to developer Rodolfo ‘Rudy’ Pua, drilling operations for potable water on the island have yielded interesting results. In the initial diggings, conducted by workers of the island’s first private owner, the late Lucas P Paredes, salty water was pumped out despite Laguna De Bay being a freshwater lake. With this phenomenon, the name ‘Wonder Island’ was conceived.
From subsequent drilling under Pua’s supervision, reaching 200-400 feet below ground level, emerged rust-colored water, as well as layers of debris of various seashells (including suso, the traditional shell feed for the once thriving duck-raising industry in Laguna), wood particles, sand and soil, small rocks and pebbles.
Further drilling to 600 feet down produced water with yellowish color and also layers upon layers of similar debris.
At 900 feet, warm, potable and clear water – bluish and fresh-tasting – flowed freely. Pua said samples of this water would be submitted for laboratory tests, for possible curative effects. I suggested that we call it ‘Wonder Blue.’
And Wonder Blue now feeds the island’s swimming pools, giving these a lukewarm temperature. It also supplies the regular requirements of the whole island resort.
Drilling operations to reach 1,000 feet are underway at the northern tip of the island.
Pua was born and raised in Calamba. His vision for the area includes a modernized boat service to ferry local and foreign tourists across the lake. And he would like to see fisherfolk augmenting their family income by serving the needs of the tourists.
He is also planning fishports, wharf facilities and boat service gas stations along the lake shore, to pave the way for the economic growth of the resident communities.
Fast, sleek and sturdy fiberglass boats now ferry the island passengers rain or shine. Since five years ago, Wonder Island Resort has been engaged in developing fiberglass boats.
The present fleet is composed of 7 boats, each with a capacity of 20-50 persons, and a leisure houseboat which can hold more than 100.
The houseboat serves as a floating restaurant, cruise vessel, and, weather permitting, venue for meetings and seminars. One such seminar was that conducted by the Vice Governors League of the Philippines on February 6-9.
A bigger houseboat is in the making.
The available guest facilities at the resort may be booked through reservations only. Interested parties may call (049) 545-1766 and 545-6491.
Apart from a little chapel and a restaurant, there are two air-conditioned dormitory units with a capacity of 20 persons per unit; two family units (for 6-8 persons in a unit), with 3 air-conditioned rooms each; and a complete 2-story bamboo house (maximum capacity: 12 persons).
There are also a view deck, 6 swimming pools of various sizes and designs, 2 jacuzzis, a 2-story conference hall for seminars and social functions, and a sports hall.
