Often confusing to both travelers and the local population as they dubbed oriental and occidental as the same and only one Mindoro. Both provinces has towering mountain ranges covered with virgin forest, breathtakingly beautiful powdery white beaches, cascading waterfalls, snorkeling and scuba diving galore…all these can be found in both provinces of Mindoro. But in this article we’ll take a glance on The Province of Oriental Mindoro. In spite of being close to the country’s capital, Oriental Mindoro is considered to be one of the unspoiled places…a place that would give a nature lover her or his heart’s desire… that of a nature derived entertainment.

The government together with the hospitable Mindoreños invites tourists, travelers as well as investors to experience the serene atmosphere and breathtaking beauty of this place that is dubbed as the “Golden Island”. Oriental Mindoro is bestowed with the country’s best naturescapes. The majestic mountains with its verdant green rain forests, the rivers and lakes, the calm and inviting clear blue water of the sea that incessantly pays homage to the powdery white sandy beaches would surely lure a person with the most discriminating taste an unforgettable and memorable holiday. The rare flora and fauna, the wild animals and the Mangyan Tribes are additional points of interests.
Mindoro was founded by a group of Spanish mission on February 2, 1921. During the early years, the Spanish administer Mindoro as a part of Batangas that was then called Bonbon. It was only in the 17th century that Mindoro was separated from Batangas with Puerto Galera as its capital. Mindoro is considered to be the 7th largest island of the Philippines. In, 1950, through Republic Act No. 505, Mindoro island was divided into two provinces, Oriental Mindoro on the eastern part with Calapan as the capital and Occidental Mindoro on the western part making Mamburao as the capital.

Oriental Mindoro has a lot of natural attractions to offer local and foreign visitors one of which is Alibatan Island in Baco, famous for its expanse of white sandy beaches that functions as breeding places for different species of turtles. Puerto Galera is known as the Pearl of Mindoro as it is not only Mindoro’s prime tourist spot but the country’s pride as well. The beautiful natural harbor that is known worldwide was used during the Spanish time as a shelter port when the archipelago was ravaged by typhoons, and now used as scenery. Worldwide known and popular for snorkeling and scuba diving haven because of its interesting underwater rock formations, Puerto Galera boast of colorful coral gardens teeming with sea anemones, countless colorful fish species to view and sate ones eyes.

Mt. Halcon is for one with adventurous spirit. Its towering 8,488 feet peak is considered to be the 3rd highest peak in the Philippines. So if you love nature tripping and mountain climbing, Mt. Halcon is definitely a most suitable destination for the adventurous. The 432 foot Tamaraw Falls is definitely a must-see. Be mesmerized by several falls that irregularly cascade from one fall to another until finally gushing in a frothing and swirling bed of water below. Oriental Mindoro is not dubbed as the Golden Island for nothing. Mountain climbing and trekking, indulging in water sports and even the passive butterfly watching can be an unforgettable experience of a lifetime…all these are offered by The Province of Oriental Mindoro. Enjoy !!!

Batangas…A province with so much to offer for real time travel holidays and recreation that is globally and locally known….

What comes to mind when you hear the word Batangas aside from the word Ala Eh ? First and foremost I’m sure would be Vilma Santos. This is not because she is known as the Star for All Seasons but because she has competently served as the mayor of Lipa City and now, the current governor of the Province of Batangas and has brought the province to an extreme competitive level in terms of its economic progress and tourism. Since Batangas is a few hours away from the capital, it is a favorite getaway summer destination for both local and foreign travelers, as it offers too many places to choose from for travel relaxation and recreation. Nasugbu, Calatagan and Taal are only the few popular choices of the many towns and cities that offers a perfect holiday recreation for the whole family.

The Province of Batangas is not only known for its places of interests but do have a whole rich culture and its people; popular for home made delicacies, native foods, agriculture, handicrafts and special home made products, of which the Balisong and Kapeng Barako are synonymous to locals with native home made cooking such as the Sinaing na Tulingan and Humba are the popular choices, Tuba (coconut derived wine), Lambanog (coconut derived strong alcoholic drink) and Bagoong Balayan (small fish anchovies) known throughout the country. Aside from the mentioned pop choices, Batangas is also known worldwide for gusi, a cloth processed and derived from the leaves of pineapple such as the Barong Tagalog, the Philippines’ National costume. People in Taal, Batangas are noted for their intricately hand embroidered gusi clothes. Lady Diana Spencer had a gusi scarf worn, custom tailored and hand embroidered specifically for an occasion and during the 1995 APEC summit, heads of states wore the Gusi Barong Tagalog made in Batangas by various country representatives.

Batangas also have a lot of festivals that would fascinate visitors and one of which is the Parada ng mga Lechon (Parade of Roasted Pig). Water dousing is associated with the celebration of the feast day of St. John the Baptist, in the town of Balayan and San Juan, however, aside from the dousing town folks would parade lechon coming from different barangays. The roasted pigs would be “dressed” according to the theme of the festival. Subli-an sa Batangas is held every 23rd of July, this religious festival is done to venerate the Holy Cross. However, the festival developed into a dance called the subli, a dance native to Batangas. Subli-an have fascinated many tourists as the song that it is danced to is composed of four voices, first is sung by the dancer; second praises the Holy Cross; third is a combination of poetry, music and the Subli dance itself and the fourth presents the observer searching for lost self. Through the subli the perceptiveness of the town people are gathered and developed into a musical arrangement specifically designed to be a lesson in grace. Presently, the subli-an has emerged into a festival that is participated in by the towns of Batangas as it is now held yearly to tie in with the foundation day of Batangas Province. Similar to Subli-an as both honors the Holy Cross is the Tapusan Festival, starts on the first of May with daily floral offerings laid before an old cross in the church. The festival ends with a procession of the Holy Cross on the 31st of May and Marian image icons in gaily and radiantly decorated floats are drawn by town folks along the major streets. These features does not end here and the Province of Batangas has more to offer and its impossible for us to go into each detail so just see it for yourself and see you in Batangas.