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ORIENTAL
MINDORO - Philippines Island
The inverted-J-shaped
Oriental Mindoro (the lower island on the map) is endowed with some of the
Philippine Islands’ best naturescapes. Choose your own beach among the many
that abound, from fawn beige to powdery white. Then match the experience with
interesting mountain lairs, lakes, rivers, rain forests, wild animals, rare
flora and fauna, and pocket communities of the existing ethnic groups and hill
tribes. It has maintained its unspoiled environment, all within a rustic
agricultural setting.
The province's
foremost asset is Puerto Gallera, blessed with one of the world’s most
beautiful natural harbors. Known as the Pearl of Mindoro, it is world-famous for
splendid beaches, coral reefs, and exquisite dive sites for new and experienced
scuba divers alike. There are shallow coral gardens, interesting rock
formations, and colorful species to watch, like crabs, shrimps, sea anemones,
moray, groupers, sharks and trumpet fish, to name only a few.
Alibatan Island in Baco, noted for its white sand, serves as a breeding place for seagulls and
turtles. Corals and oysters can be found all around the area. Also in Baco is Mt
Halcon, the country's third highest peak at 8488 Ft and a favorite destination for
nature tripping and mountain climbing. In Puerto Galera, 423-foot Tamaraw
Falls is a series of asymmetrical falls, leading to a grand fall, dropping to the
frothy waterbed below. Another attraction within the area is Sabang
Beach, a portion of which is tourist-flocked for water sports and a cluster of
nightspots popular for evening socials. Beside
Sabang
Beach is Small La Laguna, with amazingly beautiful coral reefs, and water ideal for
snorkeling and scuba diving trips. Sabang is the most famous scuba diver holiday
resort in the area.
Indulge in a number
of special interest tours while in the province, from mountain climbing to
trekking, hiking, camping, butterfly watching, game fishing, and adventure trips
to the wilderness. Enjoy active water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling,
and swimming. Visit the Mangyan settlement areas, and find it rewarding to
engage in natural cave and waterfall exploration and island hopping."
Geography:
Oriental Mindoro is
located 15 kilometers off the southwest coast of Luzon. It lies on the eastern portion of the island. It is bounded on the north by
Verde
Island and the Verde Passage, on the east by Maestro de Campo
Island
and Tablas Strait on the south by Semirara
Island near Pandarodan bay, and on the west by the province
of Occidental Mindoro. It has a total land area of 436,470 hectares. The province has 39 named and 89
unnamed islands and islets, leaving much of its attractions virgin to visitors,
and an untrammeled area to explore.
Climate:
Oriental Mindoro
enjoys a climate favorable to vegetable growth throughout the year. What is
remarkable is that there is neither a dry season nor a pronounced maximum rain
period. The location and topography of the island on the western side of the
great ocean body is another contributing factor in the rainfall pattern of the
province.
China Sea
, fed by warm water from a branch of south equatorial current, passes between
Singapore
and
Borneo
thus keeping the water bodies surrounding the island warm year-round and
consequently providing excellent sources of moisture.
Population:
Based on the May 2001
National Statistics Survey, Oriental
Mindoro Island
registered a total population of 669,000. The people are mostly of Tagalog
stock. The ethnic Mangyan tribe consists of various smaller tribes like the
Iraya, Alangan, and Tadwanan.
Industries:
The lifestyles of
Mindorenos are basically simple and rural. 70 percent of the populace engage in
land and sea agriculture, with only 30 percent living in urbanized centers. The
ethnic tribes, the Mangyans, are gentle and withdrawn but many of them have
managed to integrate into the cultural mainstream, largely in the municipalities
of Mansalay, Baco, Puerto Gallera, Roxas, and Bongabong. These Mangyans are
skilled weavers and craftsmen, producing intricate tribal finery, including
baskets, mats, and other items, both functional and aesthetic.
Language &
Dialects:
Visiting Oriental
Mindoro does not entail memorizing bits of conventional lines in dialects spoken
other than Tagalog, which serves as the predominant dialect. Other dialects
spoken are Ilocano and Cebuano. Strains of the Mangyan dialect spoken are Arayan,
Alagnan, Buhid, Hunuo, and Tadyawan. The working population can read and speak
Filipino and English.
Political Subdivision:
Oriental Mindoro is
composed of 15 municipalities, with
Calapan
City
as the capital of the province. The municipalities are Baco, Bansud, Bongabong,
Bulalacao, Naujan, Mansalay, Pinamalayan, Pola, Puerto Gallera, Roxas, San
Teodoro, Socorro, and Victoria Gloria.
Essential in
Oriental Mindoro:
Puerto Gallera
The foremost asset of Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Gallera is blessed with one of
the world’s most beautiful natural harbors. Known as the Pearl of Mindoro, it
is world-famous for splendid beaches, coral reefs, and exquisite dive sites for
new and experienced divers alike. There are shallow coral gardens, interesting
rock formations, and colorful species to watch, like crabs, shrimps, sea
anemones, moray, and trumpet fishes.
Mangyan Tribes
The province’s existing ethnic tribal groups, the Mangyans, are gentle and
withdrawn people but many of them have managed to integrate into the cultural
mainstream, largely in the municipalities of Mansalay, Baco, Puerto Galera,
Roxas, and Bongabong. The Mangyan tribe consists of various smaller tribes like
the Iraya, Alangan, and Tadwanan. They are skilled weavers and craftsmen,
producing intricate tribal finery, including baskets, mats, and other items,
both functional and aesthetic.
Mt.
Halcon
Towering 8,488 feet above sea level, Mt.
Halcon is the country's third highest peak. It is a favorite destination for nature
tripping and mountain climbing. Mt. Halcon
is located in Baco. It is accessible in two hours, by taking a jeepney to Baco,
the jump-off point.
Tamaraw
Falls
The 423-foot waterfalls, situated alongside the road, is actually a series of
asymmetrical falls, leading to the grand one, dropping to a frothy waterbed
below. The cascading waterfalls is a great attraction to passers-by.
Tamaraw
Falls
is located in Barangay Villaflor, Puerto Gallera. It can be reached in two
hours by taking a jeepney bound for Barangay Villaflor from Puerto Galera, or
Calapan.
Beaches
In nature-blessed Oriental Mindoro, you can choose your own beach among the many
that abound, from fawn beige to powdery white. To name a notable few, there are
the beaches of Sabang, Suqui, Banilad, Bongol, La Laguna, Small La Laguna,
Talipanan, Melco, Punta Guarda, and White Sand, drawing local and foreign water
enthusiasts alike with majestic sites ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba
diving.
Sabang
Beach
The beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A cluster of
nightspots abound in the area, which make it popular for evening socials.
Cottages with entertainment facilities stand close to each other. Low-budget
accommodations are available.
Sabang
Beach
is located east of Puerto Gallera. It can be reached in 15 minutes from the
Puerto Gallera pier by taking a Jeepney or an outrigger Banca.
Banana Festival
Held every March 18 to 19 in Baco, Mindoro Oriental, the festival is a
celebration of the abundance of bananas. It features a banana cookfest and a
"saba"-(type of banana)-inspired street dancing competition and beauty
pageant. Festivities coincide with the town fiesta held in honor of the patron,
St. Joseph.
Oriental
Mindoro
Trekking
The large, wild island
of
Mindoro, easily accessible from Manila, offers some magnificent trekking experiences. Try ascending
Mt. Halcon (2586m), a challenging four-day trek through old-growth rain-forest. Or brave
the rugged journey south to the Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park, one of the last
homes of the Tamaraw, the endangered wild buffalo of the Philppines. Park
rangers monitor the Tamaraw population carefully, and with their help, trekkers
have a good chance of seeing these elusive animals.
Philippines Diving, Resort and facts -
quick reference links:
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Scuba Diving Sabang:
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The Sabang Inn:
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The Philippines.
Join us on the next Sabang Philippine
Scuba Diving Trip - contact me
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