Hi, everyone! Welcome to another article on Greta’s Junkyard. If you’re new here, my name is Gretchen Gatan Fragada and I’m a writer and editor based in Metro Manila. I’m also the founder and editor-in-chief of The Metro Edit, your curated source of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle in the Metro. I started Greta’s Junkyard in 2013 as a creative outlet.
And since then, it serves as a dump of all my favorite things — from fashion and beauty to lifestyle and travel. Recently, my husband Cayo and I watched an exclusive preview of a captivating movie documentary. It’s called “Banwa Private Island – A Two-Part Adventure” and was filmed on location. Meanwhile, Asian Air Safari produced it and sheds light on the extraordinary wonders of Banwa Private Island.Banwa Private Island: A Gateway to the Region’s Rich and Diverse Ecology
Nestled amidst the pristine beauty of Palawan, Banwa Private Island serves as a gateway to the region’s rich and diverse marine and land ecology. In the local Palawano language, Banwa translates to community. It reflects the profound connection the Tagbanwa people have with their indigenous surroundings. Proceeds from the island directly contribute to educational and infrastructure projects in the area through its Aquos Foundation. This supports, nurtures, and protects the island’s unique biodiversity.
Additionally, the documentary offers a glimpse into how visitors from around the globe are drawn to explore the culture, history, and ecology of this unique region. With just six exquisite villas, Banwa Private Island provides unparalleled hospitality. Thus, this allows guests to immerse themselves in the island’s breathtaking nature, diverse wildlife, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters, all within a mosquito-free environment. Within a mere 20-minute radius, guests can also partake in a plethora of activities! These include snorkeling, diving, hiking, exploring an underground river, marveling at waterfalls, and encountering unique wildlife indigenous to the area.
Produced and Hosted by Captain Joy Roa
Produced by the enigmatic and humble Captain Joy Roa, CEO of Asian Air Safari, the documentary reflects his awe-inspiring journey through this incredible island paradise. Captain Joy expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to witness firsthand the island’s rich biodiversity. He even describes it as a distinctive blend of luxurious pampering, wildlife encounters, and authentic interactions with the local community. He also emphasized the significance of Banwa Private Island as a prime example of positive and impactful travel experiences within the Philippines.
Banwa Private Island embodies the vision of Richard Beattie, who has spent over two decades exploring the region and remains captivated by its allure. Richard expressed his appreciation for Captain Joy and his team’s outstanding documentary. After all, it provides viewers with an immersive experience of the region’s sights, sounds, smells, and culture. Moreover, he lauded Captain Joy’s generosity and dedication, noting the positive impact the documentary has had on inspiring future pilots from the local community.
The screening held at Ayala Malls Manila Bay drew an international audience. It comprised past island guests, prospective visitors, and leaders in the luxury travel industry who have already arranged guest visits from distant locales such as Brazil, China, and Europe. Surprisingly, many attendees from Manila were previously unaware of the adventure that awaits them in Palawan!
Catch the Documentary This March
The eagerly anticipated two-part documentary will be available for public viewing in March. It offers viewers a captivating glimpse into the wonders of Banwa Private Island. A sneak preview of the documentary is accessible via this link. Lastly, if you want to know more about the island, visit their official website.
I hope you enjoyed reading more about Banwa Private Island! The place truly looks divine and I hope I can visit it soon. Make sure you never miss a post or article by following me on Facebook and Instagram at @gretchengatan. Until next time! Thanks for visiting Greta’s Junkyard.