MIMAROPA's Top Secret Information

By Phoebea Co and Allyssa Dizon

SHHHH! (source)

Everybody has secrets. And so does every place. And we know a few inside information about a certain region...

As the song goes, "Got a secret. Can you keep it? Swear this one you'll save." Are you ready for this? Well, here goes...

1.) Marinduque: No fast food chains!

Can't live without fast food? You'd better, because the province of Marinduque does not have our favorite red-haired clown, that big happy bee, and even the grandfather in a white suit! What do they have then? With a very homey feel and affordable prices, Cafe Ma'Mita will definitely fill up your stomach and your eyes. Check out the vintage advertisements on the walls and don't forget to wash your hands! There's a surprise waiting for you as well. ;)

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2.) Romblon: Cursed area? Myth or not?

Also known as the Romblon Triangle, this province has a local dub to the infamous Bermuda Triangle. This area (Concepcion municipality, Dos Hermanas islands, and Sibuyan Island)  has had almost 40 maritime disasters that have occurred since the early 80's. The locals say that there is a myth that an enchanted ship shows up within that area of the triangle. But don't be afraid! Maritime officers have countered this by a logical response: it can be compared to EDSA, as being one of the main "roads" of boats and ships, and that these accidents might have been caused by navigational errors and of course, nature taking its course because of the very strong waves, with or without a storm signal. We cannot which of the two sides are telling the truth. After all, there are forces in this world that we do not know about, so just take precaution and pray for safety! Enjoy the paradise-like island!

The Philippine's version of the Bermuda Triangle (source)

3.) Oriental Mindoro: Presidents to Municipalities

Did you know that two municipalities in the province of Oriental Mindoro came from two former presidents of the Philippines?

• The first one is the municipality of Roxas, which was named after the 5th President of the Philippines, Manuel A. Roxas. It was the first town to be named as such.

Municipality of Roxas (left, source) and President Manuel Roxas (right, source)

• The second municipality is Gloria, which was named after the 14th president of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It was named during the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal when Gloria was just 10 years old.

Municipality of Gloria (left, source) and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (right, source)

4.) Occidental Mindoro: Wormyummy!

Uok (source)

Adobong Uok (source)

You'd be surprised of how extreme the Filipino exotic cuisine can be. Believe it or not, in Occidental Mindoro, the locals eat Uok (native term), which is a coconut rhinoceros beetle larva which can be found in dead coconut logs. What the natives do to these fat, weird-looking worms is that they eat it raw. Yes, raw and alive and crawling. But for the enjoyment of the food and culinary enthusiasts, Uok is usually cooked as adobo or steamed in tamarind fruit and tomatoes. Partner it with a cup of rice or two, it would be a great challenge to taste a one of a kind exotic delicacy.

5. Palawan: Why "The Last Frontier?"

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Palawan is a truly a magnificent sight to unravel. Although dubbed as "The Last Frontier," it has always been one the firsts in terms of ecotourism and environmental destinations both locally and globally. Tourists know it as a "paradise on earth" for its sublime sceneries, bountiful natural resources and high level of animal and plant life endemicity.

But why "The Last Frontier?" Look at what I've found:

1. It was the last unsettled area in the Philippines during the Spanish colonization.
2. It's usually believed as the last province to be hit whenever a storm comes into the country, especially when its origin was from the Pacific Ocean.
3. It is abundant with so much natural resources--fauna, flora, you name it--like an unexplored frontier. It still retains more than half of its original forest cover and harbors vast stretches of old growth forests on its slopes up the mountains.          

           *A little more trivia regarding #3: Palawan supplies about 50% of the seafood requirements of Metro Manila. How cool is that?

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References:

• http://www.filipiknow.net/unsolved-mysteries-philippines/#more-1538
• https://www.facebook.com/OrientalMindoro/posts/642280502477044
• https://www.facebook.com/OrientalMindoro/posts/642283275810100
• https://twitter.com/mdiariesnewstv/status/294787986187513856
• http://exoticfoodsph.blogspot.com/2012/10/uok.html
• http://chette.tripod.com/id1.html
• http://www.conservation.org/global/philippines/where/palawan/Pages/palawan_biodiversity_corridor.aspx
• https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=286868021327993&id=285909994757129