Land
of the Golden Mine
Mindoro
is the next big island to the south of Manila. It is divided
into the provinces of Mindoro Occidental, which is the
western part, and Mindoro Oriental, the eastern part.
Only the coastal strip is heavily populated. In the jungles
and mountains inland there are various groups of the Mangyan
tribes.
Fishing
and the cultivation of rice and coconuts are the main
economic activities, with some cattle-raising around San
Jose. While the name Mindoro is a contraction of the Spanish
Mina de Oro ('gold mine'), no major gold discovery
has been made. The difficult terrain has also limited
Mindoro's potential for copper and iron-ore mining, the
main mining activity being the quarrying of marble. There
has, however, been some promising oil prospecting in the
south-west. The tourist route is from Puerto Galera to
Roxas and Mansalay, via Calapan. Around Puerto Galera
there are popular beaches and coral reefs. Roxas is the
starting point for boat trips to Tablas and Boracay Islands.
It
is a fair bet that it will not be long before the northern
stretch of coastline from Mamburao to Sablayan in Mindoro
Occidental becomes an important centre of tourism. Unfortunately,
there is still no regular shipping route from Sablayan
or San Jose to Coron on Busuanga in the north of Palawan.
Such a route would really add to the attractions of island
hopping in the region.
-
Places of Interest -
TAMARAW
FALLS - the largest waterfall in the province.
It is 131.67meters above sea level with a natural swimming
pool at its base. Located at Puerto Galera. Baclayan Mangyan
Settlement. A project of SVD missionaries in Puerto Galera
where Mangyans have constructed rice terraces covering
an area of 10,000 square meters.
MARBLE
CROSS AT MUELLE- A famous landmark in memory ofthe
crew of the Spanish warship "Canonero Mariveles" which
sank during a storm on November 18, 1879 while guarding
the waters of Puerto Galera.
MARBLE
QUARRY AT MOUNT TALIPANAN - Seventeen different
varieties of marble are extracted from the mountainside.
The Marblecraft Guest House with its polished marble floors
and walls is a must-see attraction for visitors.
NAUJAN
LAKE - The largest fresh water lake in Oriental
Mindoro. It is the natural habitat of such fresh water
species as Banak, Simbad and the Sabolo or Banglis which
are milkfish spowners that enter the lake to feed before
going out into the open sea to spawn.
PUNGAW
HOT SPRINGS - Volcanic in origin it is found at
some foothills in Naujan among large boulders of igneous
rock. Its surroundings offer swimming pools for the therapeutic.
DOME
HILL - About eight kilometers from the town proper
of Naujan, it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of
Naujan lake, the vast agricultural plains and the network
of Butas and lumangbayan rivers.
THE
CHURCH WITHIN A CHURCH - Situated in one of " aided
villages in the Philippines (Barangay Bancuro, Naujan),
is this monument to the country's Spanish heritage in
art and architectural design. This ancient church has
withstood the ravages of time despite natural manmade
calamities. Although its original roof is gone, a small
chapel was built within its walls-a building within a
building.
-
Puerto Galera -
The
fine beaches and excellent diving at Puerto Galera have
been attracting travellers for some time. For about 60
years, it has been regarded by zoologists, botanists and
students of the University of the Philippines as an ideal
place to study the ecostructure of animals, plants and
micro-organisms in almost undisturbed natural conditions.
In 1934, the UP Marine Biological Station was set up.
Forty (40) years later, the United Nations Man & Biosphere
Program Internation declared Puerto Galeraa nature centre.
It was at this time that the media also discovered the
attractions of Puerto Galera as a tourist resort, and
the place took off.
PUERTO GALERA MUSEUM - Housed
on the ground floor of a Roman Catholic convent, it exhibits
valuable artifacts dating from Spanish and pre-Spanish
times such as large jars, porcelain dishes and the legendary
black rice, excavated in Puerto Galera.
PUERTO GALERA BAY & BEACHES
- Water skiing, boating, scuba diving, snorkeling and
swimming or seeking perfect tan are some of the activities
that Puerto Galera's bay and its many white-sand beaches
offer to the Vacationing tourist.
"One and a Half hour Ferry from Batangas City Pier (North) to Muelle Bay Pier, Puerto Galera (South)"
R E S O R T S >Atlantis Dive Resort |Buri Resort Spa | Coco Beach| Cruise n' Coves | El Galleon | Franklyn Beach Resort | La Laguna Beach
Resort | Marco Vincent | Mermaid Resort | Portofino | Tanawin Bay Resort
H O T E L > Microtel
Inns and Suite
PROMO > Puerto Galera Promo
W E A T H E R
Puerto
Galera | Mindoro