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...

PASALUBONG PLEASE: Things to Buy in MIMAROPA

By Phoebea Co and Allyssa Dizon

Fat Asian Kid Meme

Pasalubong (a shortened term for "pang salubong", which in English means "to greet with") is a Filipino tradition of a homecoming gift. It is something implied whenever one travels to another place. Common statements would include the meme above which in Filipino is "Wag mo kalimutan ung pasalubong, okay? Salamat!" It has no direct translation in the English language as well. Pasalubongs are usually the souvenirs for the family and friends from the place that the person has been. It can range from t-shirts, keychains, and most commonly as food. Pasalubongs are a sign that you kept the person/s in mind while travelling. Pasalubongs are also locally made by the well, locals and is a way of helping the local community as well!

So, what can you buy from the region of MIMAROPA then? Let's go shopping for pasalubong!

Breathtaking Views in MIMAROPA

By Phoebea Co and Ally Dizon

(source)

Fall in love with the Philippines one province at a time from the MIMAROPA region with these breathtaking tourist attractions! :)

Do you want to prove if love at first sight is true? Read on!

10 Famous Foods to Die for in MIMAROPA

By Phoebea Co and Ally Dizon

The Philippines is famous for its "Lutong Bahay" (home-made) cuisine (Image Source)

The Filipino culture is very well-acquainted with different types of cuisines, indeed. Every province has its distinct and particular tastes, and still have their similarities in style, finesse, and delivery. You'll be surprised what this country has in store with your stomachs! Because we all know one thing: it's that Filipinos take utter delight in eating!

Now if you're up for a diverse and eccentric food adventure, Region 4-B has a wide galore of dishes and treats for you! Read along and -try- not to get too hungry for these upcoming scrumptious dishes.

Are your tissues (you know, to wipe off the drool off your face) ready for this? Then let's go!

10 Au Naturale Attractions in MIMAROPA

By Phoebea Co and Allyssa Dizon

(source)

Ahhhh~!! Nothing beats nature in all its glory. Unspoiled, undiscovered, nature. It's like being transported into a whole new world, right? Well you've come to the right place!

Welcome to the Philippines, where we are not only known for our hospitality but also our natural attractions. Mt.Mayon is the perfect cone shaped active volcano in Albay and Boracay, located in the small island in the province of Aklan, is one of the most famous beach in the country for years on end. 

But why don't we travel to its neighboring regional provinces? Tara na sa Region 4-B! (Let's go to Region 4-B!)

5 Best Things to do in OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

(Image Source: footprints of wanderlust(fr Flickr) under CC BY 2.0)

Through the southwest coast of the province of Batangas lies the wonder of Occidental Mindoro, a province that shines with natural beauty that no tourist can ignore. Occidental Mindoro is the less-traveled part of the Mindoro Island. But nevertheless, it is blessed with beautiful marine diversities, wildlife and bird sanctuaries, and long stretches of immaculate white beaches.

Occidental Mindoro is truly nature’s tranquil retreat, a paradise waiting to be unraveled.

Here are five places and activities that any thrill-seeking, adventurous kind of tourist can explore and indulge in while in Occidental Mindoro:

1. APO REEF: Diving and Snorkeling

(Image Source: Photographer: Dr. Dwayne Meadows, NOAA/NMFS/OPR.(Flickr)

The Apo Reef is located in Apo Island in Sibuyan, Occidental Mindoro. It is most famous for its 34-kilometer reef that has a thin channel separating the reef into two lagoon systems. Divers and tourists both take delight in this sight to behold. Beneath the clear waters, divers can indulge the pristine white sand bottom with a vibrant array of 400 -500 coral species. There is about 500 marine species in the area (including a variety of sharks, stingrays, and manta rays).

Other tourists and bird-watchers can also visit the extravagant bird-populated islands of Binangaan and Cajos del Bajo, which are also part of the Apo Reef Marine Park.

2. CALAWAGAN MOUNTAIN RESORT: R & R

(Image Source: yodisphere.com)

The Calawagan Mountain Resort can be found in Barangay Alipaoy, Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.The Calawagan River has been consistently voted as the Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Clean and Green Program.

Tourists can jump in and enjoy the beautiful and natural pools of the area. The one-and-a-half hectare resort is a popular picnic spot and swimming area. The visitors are required to bring their own food and beverages since there are no restaurants available at the resort. The Calawagan Mountain Resort is operated by the local government since 1976.

3. AMBULONG ISLAND: Be One With Nature

(Image Source: trampingphilippines.com)

The Ambulong Island in located in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. It is yet another beach community of exquisite tranquility and rustic beauty. The place has white sand beaches and cliffs overlooking the water and underwater caves as well. Fishes are abundant in the coral gardens of the coves.

Ambulong is ideal for the divers' jump-off point headed to Apo Reef, Sardines Island, Dungan Reef, Iling Point and other dive sites in the area. There are a few budget accommodations as well as a fishing village in a sheltered area along the shore.

4. NORTH PANDAN ISLAND: Seclusion at its Finest

(Image Source: s1expeditions.com)

The North Pandan Island is an emerging tourist destination. It is sought out by people wanting seclusion, rest and relaxation. The clear waters and beautiful white sand competes of what Boracay offers, but without the massive, suffocating crowds and huge hotels and restaurants. There is no electricity available in the island, truly connecting you back to mother nature. The only source of entertainment are the vast forests, the wide sea and the lush white sands.

This island is located off the coast of Sablayan. It is an hour away from Apo Reef. The North Pandan Island Resort is the only resort in the island.

5. BESAY FALLS: Wonderful Waterfalls

(Image Source: kabaleyan.com)

The beautiful Besay Falls can be found in Baranga. Tambo, Ambil Island in Occidental Mindoro. Besay Falls  is about 5 meters in diameter. It is composed of a series of cascading water that flows into a basin of crystal clear body of aqua. The scenic road to the waterfalls passes through a rice plantation and a carabao pasture. Besay Falls is truly a beauty yet to be discovered.

REFERENCES:

• http://www.ytrip.org.ph/resources/why-you-should-visit-sablayan.html
• http://iamtravelinglight.com/2013/05/06/10-things-to-do-and-not-do-to-have-a-fun-smooth-sailing-apo-reef-adventure-part-1/
• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines/mindoro/activities?abv=current
• http://triptheislands.com/destinations/occidental-mindoro-exploring-paradise/
• http://www.philippinetraveler.com/mindoro-philippines.html

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO: Marine Wonderland

The beautiful Apo Reef in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro (source)

The beautiful Occidental Mindoro is blessed with much marine exquisiteness from its pristine white sand beaches, immaculate forests, isles and islands full of marine life, mysterious caves, graceful waterfalls, and a rich garden of corals. It is a sublime vista for divers and adventurers alike, with so much to offer from its unexplored shoals and atolls. Areas around Ambulong Island, Ilin Island, White Island, and Pandan Grande offer a fertile diving ground surrounded by exquisite coral reefs and colorful marine life, ranging from exotic fish to exquisite seashells.

The residents of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro celebrates the Saknungan festival every 25th to 27th of April. It is a 3-day thanksgiving festival highlighted by streetdances and parades. Saknungan is a Mangyan term that means "bayanihan" or the spirit of cooperation, brotherhood, and unity at work. It is the spirit portrayed by the Mindoreños day-to-day, especially during the planting and the harvesting seasons.

Saknungan Festival in Occidental Mindoro (source)

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FAST FACTS ABOUT OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

• CAPITAL: Mamburao

  

  Flag of Occidental Mindoro (source)

• 17th largest province of the Philippines
• The Halcon mountain range (4th highest peak in the Philippines) runs from north to south and serves as the province's natural boundary with Occidental Mindoro.
• FOUNDED ON: June 13, 1950 (from Republic Act No. 505, An Act to Create the Provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro)
• TOPOGRAPHY: generally rugged, with narrow strips of coastal lowlands; terrain is characterized by successive mountain ranges, valleys, and elongated plateaus, with rolling lands along the coastal region

  

  Seal of Occidental Mindoro

• LAND AREA: 588,350 hectares
• POPULATION: 452,971 (2010 census)
• LANGUAGE: Tagalog is spoken by 69.78 percent of the people. Other dialects are Ilokano (10.63 percent), Hiligaynon (6.47 percent), and Kinaray-a (5.84 percent). The working population can read and speak Filipino and English.
• CLIMATE: Dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. Average annual volume of rainfall is 2,000 mm. Temperature is from 30.7°C to 16.4°C.

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LOCATION

The Mindoro island is separated by a mountain range in the middle that serves as a natural and political boundary between the two provinces of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro. Occidental Mindoro occupies the western part of the island.

To its west is the Apo East Pass, and on the south is the Mindoro Strait. Oriental Mindoro lies at the eastern half. The South China Sea is to the west of the province, while Palawan is located to the southwest, just across Mindoro Strait. Batangas is at the north, separated by the Verde Island Passage.

A Map of Occidental Mindoro (source)

Occidental Mindoro's coordinates are 13°00′N 120°55′E. 

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POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

11 MUNICIPALITIES

1. Abra de Ilog
2. Calintaan
3. Looc
4. Lubang
5. Magsaysay
6. Mamburao
7. Paluan
8. Rizal
9. Sablayan
10. San Jose
11. Sta.Cruz

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HOW TO GET THERE

• BY AIR

Travel takes 45 minutes from Manila to San Jose via Philippine Air Lines, Cebu Pacific and Sea Air

• BY SEA

Travel takes 2 1/2 hours from Batangas City Pier to Abra de Ilog Pier, while from Batangas

A Roro Ferry docked at the pier in Occidental Mindoro (source)

City Pier to San Jose it takes 12 hours via Roll-on, Roll-off (RO-RO) vessels of the Montenegro Shipping Lines and Besta Lines

• BY VEHICLE (Land-Sea-Land)

Travelers can also choose to hire a door-to-door van. It will pick you up from your home and drop you off to your destination. (via RO-RO vessels)

Another option is to take a the bus (via Dimple Bus) which has a terminal in Cubao. This bus is traveling from Manila to San Jose via Mamburao City.

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SOURCES

• http://www.occidentalmindoro.ph/general-information.html
• http://www.tourism.gov.ph/sitepages/InteractiveSitesPage.aspx?siteID=21
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occidental_Mindoro
• http://mamburao.gov.ph/cultureandtourism.do?id=5036
• http://www.wowmindoro.com/features/festivals/saknungan-festival-san-jose-occidental-mindoro/

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Keep updated with more news and facts about Occidental Mindoro by following this blog!

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