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.svg)  Balesin Island Location within the Philippines Show map of Luzon.svg) Balesin Island Balesin Island (Philippines) Show map of Philippines | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 14°25′27″N122°02′14″E / 14.4242°N 122.0372°E /14.4242; 122.0372 |
| Area | 4.24 km2 (1.64 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 8.74 m (28.67 ft) |
| Administration | |
Philippines | |
| Region | Calabarzon |
| Province | Quezon |
| Municipality | Polillo |
| Barangay | Balesin |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,207 (2020) |
| Additional information | |
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Balesin Island is a private tropical island andbarangay off the eastern coast ofLuzon in thePhilippines. It is administered as part of the municipality ofPolillo ofQuezon province.[1]
Balesin Island is situated withinLamon Bay and has a land area of 4.24 square kilometers (1.64 sq mi).
The weather of Balesin Island is dominated by thetrade winds, creating two seasons. Theamihan (northeast monsoon) brings moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east. Typically it begins in November or December and ends sometime in May or June. Throughout rest of the year, Balesin Island experiences thehabagat (southwest monsoon) season, characterized by hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west.[2] The island is periodically subject to severe tropical storms.[3]
During theJapanese occupation of the Philippines, a contingent of seven soldiers lived on Balesin Island, reportedly existing peacefully with indigenous local fishermen and their families.[4]
Balesin Island was once owned by businessman Baby Ysmael.[5] The island was later acquired from Ysmael by Edgardo “Ed” Tordesillas, who began to develop it with basic facilities fortourism. Early customers were predominantly Japanese. Today, Balesin Island is a property of Alphaland Corporation,[6] a private company majority owned by its ChairmanRoberto Ongpin,[7] a prominent Filipino businessman.
Around 10% of the island has been developed to create a luxury resort, Balesin Island Club,[8] with membership fees reportedly in the range₱2.4-4 million.[9]
The resort was master-planned to optimise ecological sustainability. Runoff from the 1.527 kilometres (5,010 ft) runway ofBalesin Airport provides over 100 million liters (26 million U.S. gallons) of water annually which passes through several man-made lakes and filtration to provide potable water. In addition used water is recycled for landscaping during the summer. The island's coral reefs are managed for diving and sustainable fishing with local species includingparrotfish,butterfly fish,yellowfin tuna,mahi-mahi,grouper, anddeep-sea crabs.[10]
The island is served by theE. L. Tordesillas Airport, also known as Balesin Airport which has a 1.5 km (0.93 mi) runway.[11] Balesin is served by buses, jeeps, electric golf carts, and service vans around the island.
