14/05/2026
Balesin Island is a private island located off the eastern coast of Luzon in Quezon Province, Philippines. It is part of the municipality of Polillo and sits within Lamon Bay. Today, it is widely known for the luxury members-only resort called Balesin Island Club.
Brief History of Balesin
* Before becoming a luxury destination, Balesin was a quiet island community inhabited mainly by fishermen and local families.
* During the Japanese occupation in World War II, a small group of Japanese soldiers reportedly stayed on the island and lived peacefully with the locals.
* The island was once owned by businessman Baby Ysmael. Later, it was acquired by pilot and developer Edgardo “Ed” Tordesillas in the 1960s. He began developing the island into a private getaway and introduced the concept of an “island resort community” in the 1970s.
* After Tordesillas passed away, the island was eventually acquired and further developed by Alphaland Corporation under businessman Roberto Ongpin.
Modern Balesin
Today, Balesin Island is famous for:
* Exclusive luxury tourism
* Private airport access
* Themed villages inspired by places like Bali, Mykonos, Phuket, Toscana, and St. Tropez
* Eco-tourism and sustainability projects recognized internationally
A fun fact: the name “Balesin” is believed to come from the words balete (banyan tree) and asin (salt), referring to the island’s coastal banyan trees.
