Jul 30, 2026 – 5.00amIt’s dusk as our weathered ferry pulls into port on the remote Filipino island of Camiguin. We have been on the ocean for four-and-a-half hours, and I can just make out the distinct peaks of the island’s famous volcanoes and the lush green topography.From the top deck, I watch the boat crew, who look barely out of their teens, scampering around the bow throwing mooring lines to a lone figure on the pier as the vessel’s noisy engines finally shut down.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Michael SmithHealth editorMichael Smith is the health editor for The Australian Financial Review. He is based in Sydney.Fetching latest articles