You're welcome, bld. If you do go to Marinduque (you'll have to ride the ferry from Lucena port) and will have a stop over in Manila, inform me. I may go to Manila for some sisig & San Mig lite w/ your family, and get some shopping done too!
@croc & bld, another island that is up & coming in that same region is Caramoan island. It's near Camarines Sur, so a bit farther away from Mnl than Calaguas island. A couple of my friends have been there. Compared with Calaguas, Calaguas is more wild (tents, huts, mangroves, no running water), while Caramoan is more developed. It has resorts with a/c & showers, but I think no 5-star hotel chains. So for flashpackers, Caramoan would appeal more, than nearby Calaguas or Anawangin island which is off the coast of Zambales. I haven't been to Anawangin or Caramoan but some friends/colleagues have.
Cheers!