Popototan Island & Maglalambay
Popototan Island lies off the coast of northern Palawan, surrounded by the rich waters of the Sulu Sea. For generations, this island has been a place of fishing, gathering, and community.
Maglalambay comes from the Filipino word meaning “to journey.” For centuries, the people of this region have been seafarers, voyaging between islands by banka boat, carrying stories, songs, and traditions across the water. These journeys shaped a culture of resilience, connection, and deep respect for the land and sea.
Today, Popototan Island remains a place of simplicity and wonder a reminder of the Philippines’ maritime heritage and the enduring spirit of those who continue to live in rhythm with the ocean.
As guests on this land, invited artists are encouraged to approach it with care, humility, and curiosity. The residency is rooted in a commitment to honoring the Tagbanwa people and their enduring connection to place. Understanding Coron’s layered histories, including colonial impact, indigenous resilience, and ecological richness, is essential to engaging meaningfully with the land and community.
The Heart of the Art Residency: The Family
At the core of Icarus Art Residency is the extraordinary family who lives on the property and who will become an essential part of your experience here. More than support staff, they are the soul of the place—caring, generous, and deeply connected to the land and sea that surround you.
You’ll get to know Ate Jenny and her husband Kuya Darwin, along with their two wonderful kids. They will be the ones who will be there with your day to day, preparing meals, sharing stories, laughing with you over coffee, and guiding you gently into the rhythms of island life.
They are the extension of the space, its living memory and spirit. Whether they’re preparing the most stunning and flavorful Filipino meals with fresh fish caught during the day or delicious veggies, helping you navigate the property, or answering your questions about the land, the sea, or the creatures hiding in plain sight, their presence will enrich your stay beyond what words can describe.
Expect to learn deeply not just about the island’s biodiversity, but about its culture, language, and community. This is also a beautiful opportunity to pick up some words in Tagalog, the national language, and connect more closely through everyday conversations and shared laughter.
With warmth, humor, and generosity, they will help you feel at home and guide you into connection with yourself, with the land, and with the people of Popototan Island/Maglalambay.