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By Jodelen O. Ortiz

The scorching heat of the sun is no match to the overwhelming pleasure of experiencing the creatures of the waters. On my way to the heart-shaped island of Matinloc in El Nido, Palawan I become more and more a poet understanding the language even of the fishes – and yes, the cliffs.

Tranquility could be found even while in motion, aboard an eight-sitter banca, this I have proven in my countless trips to Matinloc. More often do the travelers keep silent while adoring the beauty of the deep-to-aqua-blue waters, the colorful fishes in different sizes and kinds, the Paleolithic-old limestone cliffs and the white-sand islands forming their own unique shapes.

This is a trip for both the atheist and the believer – for coming to this island, how could one deny the existence of a God that created such splendors in perfect compliment?

The boat ride is a mixture of peace and danger. For after several minutes of simply admiring nature at its best, the dangerous giant waves are tossing the pitiful banca left and right, signaling the existence of open seas on both directions, just when the entrance between Matinloc and Tapiutan is in sight.

The trip from mainland El Nido to Matinloc covers almost an hour in a regular motorized banca often used by tourists for cove-hopping. The other famous spots in Bacuit Bay nearby Matinloc are: Miniloc island with the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon and Hidden Lagoon; Malampaya Oil Exploration; and Tapiutan Island with its long stretch of white sand.

It is a surprise that the narrow strait between Matinloc and Tapiutan do not reflect the turbulent waves that the banca endured. Calm is how to best describe the water. Tapiutan Island, just in front of Matinloc, is where fishermen dock at night, giving testimony to the reputation of the strait as the safest in Bacuit Bay.

Arriving in the island, a port has been constructed to serve as helipad for visitors coming all the way from Manila and abroad. The rules in Matinloc are posted at the entrance that mentions no wearing of swimsuits at the pilgrimage area, no wearing of slippers at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Prayer Center, avoiding loud music and conversations, no littering in any area and observing the solemnity of the place.

The Legend of Matinloc

It was said that in 1982, a housewife in Manila was given a message by the Blessed Mother saying, “Look for the heart of my Son, it is in Matinloc, Palawan… Look for the wound in the heart of my Son.” After two years of prayerful reflection, and continued search, the devotees from Manila found the heart-shaped island of Matinloc in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, north of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The first major pilgrimage to Matinloc happened on December 16, 1985 where a second vision was shown a male devotee who was taking a nap when he dreamt of a dome-shaped structure with twelve columns, with the image of the Blessed Mother Mary standing in front of a cross (at the center altar), descending from the sky.

The monument was surrounded by a ring of rainbow. “My son, the monument that you saw is the shrine of the New Jerusalem. One day, you will build it.” The shrine vision was built in 1993 on the exact spot where the shrine vision landed.

In 1996, a bird’s eye view of the island was photographed and revealed the resemblance of a heart shape with the agonizing face of Christ found engraved on the rock mountain. And in the same heart enclave, one could see the image of Our Lady embracing a child.

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