I-Witness in Carabao Island

MANILA, Philippines - Forty-five minutes away from Boracay is a small island that quietly watched the growth of its neighbor. Overshadowed by its more popular neighbor, Carabao Island remained undeveloped for many years. But its beauty is no less, some say even greater, than Boracay’s.

Carabao Island is pristine. Its white sands are powder-fine against the crystal blue sea. With little development, it has kept its natural beauty intact. It does not, however, have sufficient jobs for residents like Randy, a carpenter with eight children. He leaves the quiet shores of Carabao Island in hopes of working for Boracay’s busy establishments.

I-Witness’ Howie Severino (photo) joins Randy on his journey from Carabao Island to Boracay. He and his I-Witness team glimpse a world rarely seen by tourists. At the heart of Boracay is a community far from the picture-perfect paradise. Howie sees a darker side of this sunny beach — a shantytown where Randy and other workers from nearby provinces live.

It is not perfect in paradise after all, as natives born and raised in Boracay are forced to vacate their land to make way for the construction of a large-scale resort.

Howie uncovers what is lost and gained in the name of development as Carabao Island steps out of the shadows to compete with Boracay.

Anino ng Paraiso airs in I-Witness tonight after Saksi, on GMA 7.