NAIMAR BIN GAMAR B.

ISNANI

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Mindoro Occidental

Introduction

Occidental Mindoro (Tagalog: Kanlurang Mindoro), officially the Province of Occidental Mindoro
(Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Kanlurang Mindoro, is a province in the Philippines located in the Mimaropa
region. The province occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro. Its capital is Mamburao, but
the largest municipality is San Jose.

Mindoro Island was originally known to the ancients as Ma-i. It was formally called Mait, and known to
the Chinese traders before the coming of the Spanish. Its existence was mentioned in the old Chinese.
and more elaborately in 1225. It was a major anchorage in the Southeast Asia trade route during the
Pre-Philippines period. Chinese, Arab and Indian merchants traded with the natives. In 1570, the Spanish
began to explore the island and named it Mina de Oro ("mine of gold") after finding some of the
precious metal, though no major gold discoveries were ever made.

The natives of Mindoro were called Manguianes by the Spaniards. But the natives refer to themselves by
their ethnic or clan identification. There were seven such ethnic or clan distinctions, which are
differentiated by language and areas where each can be found.

History

The island of Mindoro was mentioned in some Chinese Chronicles as the land “Ma’I” where Ma’I
residents were believed to be trading with merchants from other parts of archipelago and Southeast
Asia.

Back in 1984 total land area was only 219,880, but the inclusion of 29 hectares of Apo Reef Natural
Park increased its land area in 1999. It is considered as the biggest municipality of the country due
to its land area.

Mindoro became part of Batangas until the early 17th century and became part of Marinduque in June
1902. It was proclaimed a special province in November 1902 unti it became a regular province through
Republic Act No.2964 on February 20,1921. On June 13, 1950, by virtue of RA 505, the Mindoro province
was separated into Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

Location, Geography and Climate

Occidental Mindoro is situated along the western part of the island, located south of the province of Batangas in Southern Luzon. On the north, it is
bounded by Verde Island Passage, on the west and the south by Mindoro Strait, and on the east by Oriental Mindoro.
The topography of Occidental Mindoro is generally rugged, with narrow strips of coastal lowlands. Its
terrain is characterized by successive mountain ranges, valleys, and elongated plateaus, with rolling
lands along the coastal region.

10 Best Tourist Spots in Occidental Mindoro

 
Occidental Mindoro is the second province in Mindoro Island blessed with dozens of
fascinating tourist spots. These tourist spots includes dive sites, coves and white sand
beaches. It is also the home of the second-largest contiguous coral system in the world
and it has even gained the reputation of being called as the Marine Wonderland of the
Philippines. Most of the tourist spots in Occidental Mindoro can be found on the
municipalities of Sablayan, San Jose and Mamburao which one can also find good
accommodations. There are around 400,000 people living in the province and they
speak of Mangyan, Tagalog and English Languages.

1. Mount Iglit-Baco National Park

Declared as a national park and forest reservation, Mt. Iglit is also a game sanctuary for the tamaraw, a species of
wild water buffalo endemic to Mindoro. Resembling the carabao, the tamaraw is smaller in size, with shorter and
straighter V-shaped horns. These endangered animals live in the forests at the foot of Mt. Iglit. Trekkers and climbers
may be able to catch a glimpse of the tamaraw as well as several other species of indigenous wildlife and flora.

2. Hulugaan Falls

Located in the southeast portion of Lubang Island, Hulugaan Falls is a series of falls that cascades down to a stony
beach. Hulugaan Falls is a cascading 3 meters of water that falls into a pool cupped by towering boulders on both
sides. Most visitors to hulagaan trek to the falls for a quick dip in its natural pool. Hulagaan drains out to the sea,
hence trekkers had to traverse a rocky creek where small tributaries drain cool water from the springs that originate
deep in the forest. Hulagaan is ideal for day hikes and for those who are willing to experience an authentic outdoor
experience, walking through dense jungle can be quite an adventure. When they reach Hulagaan they usually get
fascinated by the colorful pebbles on the beach, the rugged terrain, pristine wildlife, interesting flora and fauna and
the enticing waterfalls.

3. Onoda Trails and Caves

The Onoda Trail and Caves is one of Lubang’s popular tourist spots. It served as the hideout and escape route of Lt.
Hiroo Onoda and his troops during World War II. The trail runs for eight kilometers, covering a series of four caves.
There are also streams, century-old trees, and wild animals along the way.

4. Apo Reef Natural Park

Apo Reef is the largest coral reef in the Philippines, It spreads over an area of 34 square kilometers, making it the
second largest connecting coral reef in the world. The Apo Reef, also considered as the second largest reef in the
Philippines comprises of two isolated coral reefs that are disconnected by a 30-meter deep channel. It is a home to a
great marine biodiversity making it quite a diver’s haven. Wild pods of dolphins, white tip and thresher sharks, Hump-
head and napoleon wrasse, barracuda, sting and manta rays, turtles, sea snakes, eels, parrot fish and a whole lot
more will not only fascinate you big time but will gracefully swim with you as well, only a few shying away. A variety of
colorful soft and hard coral species will also surprise you as you can see thousands of them right under the
shimmering waters from above.
5. Pandan Island Resort

Pandan Island Resort is one of the best tourist spots in Occidental Mindoro and tourists keep coming back to this
simple and beautiful island. Aside from a stretch of white sand beach good for swimming and coral gardens perfect
for snorkeling, visitors love this place because it is a peaceful, relaxing and friendly paradise. In the afternoon, visitors
would love to play volleyball in the beach. If you want to go diving and island hopping, they have the diving gears and
staffs to arrange your trip. It is one of the top resorts in the Philippines, not in terms of luxury but for it’s quality of life
and it’s personalized atmosphere. Pandan Island Resort is located in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.

6. Kalong River

Kalong River can be found in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. Kalong River is an inland body of water that has a
white-sand riverbank. The water is so crystal-clear, you can see the stones in the riverbed. It will take you an hour to
get there, but it’s worth it because along the way are rice fields, streams, and Mangyan communities that will make
your trip more memorable.

7. Presing Park

Also known as Parola Park named after the wife of former Mayor Loreto Urieta during his term. This Mountain Park
was served as the setting of a historic watchtower and cannon built in 1861 against Muslim pirates and intruders ho
used to raid the area. Round the clock watchers and defenders stationed there at signal or warn the people to hide
while launching volleys of cannon fires to defend the town. Today, a lighthouse and an old cannon could still be found
there. The park offers the best sunset view in town.

8. Lumang Simbahan

Lumang Simbahan is located at the foot of “Bundok Bayan”, at Barangay Poblacion. The old church is a 16th century
antiquated legacy of the Spanish missionaries, here lime or “apog” as used as cement for walling. Some of old folks
believed that in the olden times, before the interior reconstruction of the church, there used to be underground
dwellings for nuns and a tunnel at the back of the church that led to the lighthouse of the nearby mountain park. The
people also believe that the tunnel as used by the Japanese soldiers during the World War II.

9. Mount Calavite

Perched at the northwestern edge of Occidental Mindoro, overlooking South China Sea, is Mt. Calavite. Known as
one of the two remaining areas where tamaraw could be found in the wild, this mountain is a haven of biodiversity –
one of the few places in the Philippines where hikers have a good chance of seeing animals such as wild boar, deer,
and yes, even the tamaraw, roaming on its grassy slopes. The name ‘Calavite’ is said to mean ‘giant clam’ – and this
is derived from an old Mangyan tale that tells of ships being seen at the mouth of Calavite.

10. White Island

White Island is one of the tourist spots in Occidental Mindoro. It is also called by the locals as Manadi Island which
means “Sudden Appearance” for it is said to have suddenly appeared decades ago. It is a small island and an ideal
destination for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. Some part of the shore are breeding grounds for
turtles where they bury their eggs. One can walk around the island in just few minutes. Again, there are no store or
electricity in the island so you have to bring your own food.