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Occidental Mindoro –
Marine Wonderland of Luzon
From its Spanish-given name,
mina de oro meaning mine of gold, Occidental Mindoro is considered
as one of the richest provinces in the Philippines; not in terms
of gold or precious stones but in beaches, dive sites, coral
gardens, and marine biodiversity. The most famous of which is
the Apo Reef National Park, a 34-kilometer coral paradise. With
this, the province is slowly emerging as a diving hotspot in
the Philippines.
Aside from marine life, Occidental
Mindoro is the remaining sanctuary of the tamaraws. These endemic
creatures are dwindling in numbers but the rich virgin forests
of the province has provided them with protection and stable
food source.
Demographics
1 Population – 421,952
(as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 5,865.7 sq. km
3. Capital – Mamburao
4. Language/Dialect –Tagalog, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a,
English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (11)
- Abra de Ilog
- Calintaan
- Looc
- Lubang
- Magsaysay
- Mamburao
- Paluan
- Rizal
- Sablayan
- San Jose
Apo Reef National
Park
It is the largest contiguous coral reef system in the Philippines
and second in the world. This 34 square kilometer natural spectacle
is undergoing consideration to be declared as a World Heritage
Site by the UNESCO World Heritage Center.
Tamaraws
Bearing close resemblance to the Philippine water buffalo, the
remaining tamaraws in the country can be seen in Occidental
Mindoro, specifically in the mountains of Mt. Iglit.
Natural Beaches and
Dive Sites
Mamburao, Sablayan, San Jose and Pandan Island have several
white sand beaches and dive sites that offers tourists a more
personal commune with nature.
Saknungan Festival
Taken from the Mangyan term which means “bayanihan”
or the spirit of cooperation, the event reflects the cultural
heritage of Mindoro's ethnic communities.
Places of Interest
Cultural
Snake Skeletal Imprint
Location: Montangcob point, Anahawin River, Brgy. Poypoy, Calintaan.
Occidental Mindoro
A skeletal impression of a snake can be seen at a certain house-sized
boulder found on the river bed. It is believed that the boulder
is millions of years old.
Historical
Parola Park Watchtower
Location: Lumang Bayan, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
A watchtower was constructed in 1861 to serve as watch point
for impending raids by Muslims. In 1896, bells were added aid
watchers in notifying the towns people. Later on, cannons and
a church was built near the tower but the church was destroyed
by the elements.
McGuire Field
Location: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
The airbase was used by the American forces during World War
II to launch bomb attacks against Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Japan.
Later the airfield was converted into a domestic airport and
named after 5th Air Force ace Major Thomas McGuire.
Lubang Island
Location: Lubang, Occidental Mindoro
In 1947, a Japanese Second Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda surrendered
as a prisoner of war after 29 years of hiding in the mountains.
Onoda only laid his arms after Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, his
commanding officer back in World War II told him that the war
was over.
Natural
Apo Reef National
Park
Location: Apo Island, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
It is the largest contiguous coral reef system in the Philippines
and second in the world. Approximately 400-500 coral species
can be found here. Within the National Park area are the bird-populated
islands of Binangaan and Caios del Bajo, which have a variety
of birds, ideal for birdwatching.
Mt. Iglit
Location: Calintaan - San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
Mt. Iglit is a game sanctuary of tamaraws (Bubalus mindorensis)
and the home of Mangyan ethnic tribe. The Mangyans call the
mountain as Mt. Mangibok, which means ‘Steep Mountain’.
It is so steep and dangerous that several lives have been claimed.
The mountain is part of the Mount Iglit-Baco National Park,
a nominee to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ambulong Island
Location: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
The island has white sand beaches, cliffs along pillars jutting
out of the water, and underwater caves. Coral gardens and tropical
fish are abundant in several coves.
Illin Island
Location: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
It is the biggest island in San Jose. It has has five beaches,
some of which are fringed with reefs making passage impossible
during low tide.
Hulugaan Falls
Location:Lubang Island, Ocidental Mindoro
Hulugaan Falls is a series of falls leading to a stony beach.t
is accessible via a one-hour ride from Tagbac and a 20 minute
trek.
Besay Falls
Location:Brgy. Tambo, Ambil Island, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro
Besay Falls features a series of waterfalls,each cascading into
a crystal clear basin,about five meters in diameter.
Cabra Island
Location:Lubang, Occidental Mindoro
Cabra used to be a popular pilgrimage site because of reported
apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in the island. It has golden
sandy beaches on the southwestern part and rock formations along
the east coast.
Pandan Grande Island
Location: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
This 30-hectare islet is surrounded by white sand beach and
schools of reefs. Diver's lodge made from native materials are
available for rent.
White Island
Location:Manadi, Barrio Ilin, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
This mile-long white sand beach is a preferred breeding site
of turtles. Occasionally, tourist can find turtle eggs buried
in the sand but visitors are advised not to disturb them.
Tayamaan Beach
Location: Brgy. Tayamaan, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro
The beach is a popular swimming and picnic destination among
locals. The whole stretch of Tayamaan Beach is filled with coconut
trees.
Lake Libauo
Location: Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm and Sablayan, Occidental
Mindoro
It is a catchment basin for endemic birds like the Mindoro Bleeding
Heart, Mindoro Owl, Mindoro kalaw, among others. The lake is
embraced with various indigenous trees,blooming water lilies
and cool wind.
Sablayan Dive Sites
Location: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
The shores of Sablayan is a diver's paradise. It has seven interconnected
dive spots which offers diverse attactions.
1. Anchor and Christmas tree
2. Barracuda Deep
3. Coral Garden East and West
4. House Reef
5. Napoleon Wall
6. Neptune's Land
7. North Wall
Festival
Saknungan Festival
Place: April 25 – 27
Date: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
Taken from the Mangyan term which means “bayanihan”
or the spirit of cooperation, the event reflects the cultural
heritage of Mindoro's ethnic communities. Activities include
agro-industrial and techno trade fair, drum and bugle parade,
bikathon, Juego de Anillo,, palo sebo, hulihan ng baboy, and
cultural dance competition.
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