I do not know about Illuminada, but I have been to the leper colony.  It is
in Palawan Province, not on Palawan Island proper.  Culion Island is one of
the larger islands in the Calamianes group north of Palawan, but south of
Mindoro.  I had an enjoyable afternoon on Culion collecting land snails,
although I did not get too much.  If anyone wants to go to a truly magical
place, go to the Calamaines, particularly Coron Island.  By air the group
can be reached only from the Manila airport to my knowledge and I can't
remember the "airline".  Great snorkeling and I'm sure the diving would be
spectacular.
 
Kurt
 
At 09:03 PM 2/10/99 -0500, you wrote:
>I sent Illuminada clothes, money, etc. to swap for shells for 30 years.
>Each time I would get a long letter from him, as well as Christmas wishes.
>
>Someone made the statement recently (I think on the Conch-L) that the
>"Illuminada
>Iway thing was a hoax, that there was no such person and that there was no
>leper colony on Palawan.
>
>Anyone with any info on this?
>
>Carol
>