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Oriental Mindoro province is situated 140 kilometers south of Manila, in the Philippines’ 7th largest island of the same name. It is divided into 14 municipalities (Baco, Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Mansalay, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola, Puerto Galera, Roxas, San Teodoro, Socorro and Victoria) with Calapan City in the north as the only city and provincial capital. The province’s topography is organized into two types: mountainous, rugged land in the west and flat agricultural lands to the east. The country’s 18th highest mountain, Mt. Halcon (2582 m) and 5th largest lake, Lake Naujan, are found in the province.

The province shares in the island’s mysterious history which pre-dates the arrival of the Spanish in the country. Rumors of Chin-San or “Mountain of Gold” have already been in circulation among Chinese merchants who traded with the locals a century before Magellan came to the Philippines. From these rumors came the name Mina de Oro or Mine of Gold, the name given by the Spanish to the island. The rumors still remain a mystery today – a mystery shared among the various Mangyan tribes that inhabit the area and are one of the oldest tribes in the Philippines.

But one thing is clear, there is no gold in this island. The real “gold” rests in its countryside, in the golden rice fields and thick coconut plantations, in the glowing white sand beaches, abundant marine life, lush rainforests and colorful cultures and traditions. From Puerto Galera to Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro gives you the best of both worlds — from a psychedelic beach bum lifestyle to a simple, back to basics adventure in the heartlands.

Oriental Mindoro is mainly sought for by tourists because of the Puerto Galera beach scene. Puerto Galera (“port of galleons” in Spanish), a town noted for its beautiful natural harbor, is dotted with pockets of the finest white sand beaches comparable to that of Boracay. Being situated along the Verde Island Passage (the so-called “center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world”), the town’s islands and coves hides abundant marine life in its wide stretch of coral reefs. Divers and snorkelers will have their money’s worth in the town’s seas. Hotels, resorts, bars and restaurants are lined up along the coasts of the town’s famed beaches particularly, White Beach, Sabang Beach, Big and Small La Laguna Beach. The scenic Tamaraw Falls which is 14 kms. from White Beach is accessible in a few minutes by van or jeep, or 3 hours of walk. A bridge just below the cascades gives tourists a chance to shower in its cool, refreshing water.

But aside from Puerto Galera, undiscovered and unrealized tourist attractions lie along the province’s eastern coast, from Calapan City to Bulalacao town. The capital, Calapan City hosts the annual Sanduguan Festival every May, which commemorates the prehistoric trade relations between the natives of the island and Chinese merchants, and the Mahalta Festival, a revelry which represents the entire personality of the province as symbolized by the Mangyans, Mount Halcon and the Tamaraw buffalo. All of the province’s municipalities offer their best mardi gras to be presented to local and foreign tourists alike, a reflection of the provincial government’s efforts to develop the province into the next big destination in the Philippines.

In Baco town near Calapan City lies Alibatan Island noted for its white sand beaches where seagulls, turtles and oysters thrive. Also in the same town are Aras Cave, famous not only for its stalactite formations but also for the peculiar presence of a falls inside the cave; and Mount Halcon (2582 m) which is every Filipino mountain climber’s dream challenge. The trail going up the mountain is traced by crystal clear streams and lush rainforest. On a clear day, the summit of this mountain provides a good view of the Mindoro countryside, of Batangas and Marinduque, even as far as Bicol Region. Lake Naujan, which is surrounded by the municipalities of Naujan, Victoria, Socorro and Pola is protected wildlife reserve area. Various species of resident and migratory waterfowl as well as freshwater crocodiles and sail-finned lizards dwell within its waters. Bird-watching enthusiasts, eco-tourists and sports fishermen will find Lake Naujan a treasure trove of natural richness. Pinamalayan and Bongabong town further south also has good beaches that cater to local, economy-class, tourists. Pinamalayan has a small outrigger boat service going to Gasan in Marinduque, and in Maestro de Ocampo and Banton Islands in Romblon.

For those seeking to get to Romblon or Boracay via Oriental Mindoro, then Roxas town down south is the way to go. Dangay Port in this town has big outrigger boats and RORO vessels that can take tourists to Odiongan in Tablas Island, Romblon or Caticlan, Aklan. For those who want to get a closer look at the province’s indigenous Mangyan population, Mansalay town below Roxas is a good starting point. There are various tribes of Mangyans here, particularly, Tadyawan, Hanunuo and Alangan. These tribes are being taken care of and studied by Father Antoon Postma, a Dutch missionary who has lived among them for decades and have published a number of books and articles about their culture and traditions. Another Mangyan tribe of the Iraya stock is located in Baclaran, Puerto Galera. This one is under the care of SVD missionary Father Erwin Thiel. It’s just a 30-minute walk from the town proper.

Bulalacao town at the southern tip of the province got its name from the 13 islands scattered in the seas south of it, which, according to folklore, were formed by meteors crashing down the sea from space (hence the name Bulalacao or “shooting star”). Snorkelers, scuba divers and or those who want to be their own Robinson Crusoe will be starstrucked by its splendid coves, reefs and beaches.

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TRAVEL GUIDES:

http://www.ppa.com.ph/SRNH/Provinces/mindoro/mindoro.htm