Sicogon Island, which once rivaled the prestige of Boracay in the 70's and the setting of a little-known daring escape during the turbulent years of the Martial Law insurgency, is back once again on the map. This gorgeous offshore gem by the coast of Carles, Iloilo is now the newest Ayala resort township, with regular air service recently inaugurated by Ayala's luxury airline AirSWIFT. AirSWIFT is the same airline servicing Ayala's other luxury resorts estates: El Nido Resorts and Lio Tourism Estate. 

The island's newest incarnation takes the form of Huni Resorts, a 2-storey, 52-key boutique resort situated at a beachfront location, where guests have direct access to the San Fernando beach. "Huni" is the Hiligaynon word for sound, which pertains closely to sounds of nature, with the island's symphony of waves and wildlife, commandeered by Mt. Opao, a 350-m high peak at the center of the island. Mt. Opao may be hiked by guests with assistance from resort guides and staff.

Like Palawan's Lio Tourism Estate, the Sicogon Island Tourism Estate, will also host a residential component, aside from the resort and airport commercial components. Taking into mind Boracay's environmental woes, Ayala commits to use the same green principles applied to their Lio and El Nido Resorts developments. Guests and transient residents will be treated to warm sandy beaches, natural lagoon surrounded by mangroves, unique flora and fauna, and coves dotting the coastline.

Stemming from its success in Lio and their recent launch in Sicogon, Ayala hopes to create more tourism estates and has stated their interest in developing another one in nearby Negros Island.*