When rock star Sting (of The Police fame) sang “Fields of Gold,” he can very well be referring to Oriental Mindoro because of its seemingly magical allure.
So-called because its name was coined from the Spanish phrase “Mina de Oro”—which literally meant “mine of gold,”—Mindoro’s soil is rich in gold deposits and other natural wonders, which is considered its other gold mine.
Here’s a quick guide on how to explore this bucolic province and mine its tourist fields of gold.
Puerto Galera
One of the country’s earliest beach hideaways discovered in the 1970s by European backpackers, this resort town is a top-of-mind destination for beach bums. It has a series of beach coves, each with a distinct character, from the vibrant night life of Sabang and White Beach, to the more quiet and sleepy shores of Aninuan and Boquete. Named to the prestigious Paris-based “Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club” in 2005, Puerto Galera is a hot spot for marine biodiversity being at the heart of the world’s “Coral Triangle.” Needless to say, it boasts of the most mesmerizing dive sites in this part of the globe. In between scouring the coves and beaches or scuba diving, there are interesting finds such as quaint resorts and restaurants, indigenous Mangyan villages, waterfalls and breathtaking view decks.
Beguiling beaches
With a long coastline running from north to south, the province is dotted with sun-kissed beaches and uninhabited islets, which will surely make you a stranger on the shore. A must-visit is the southernmost town of Bulalacao, a mini-archipelagic town that takes pride in the irresistible islets of Aslom, Buyayao, Sibalat, Maasin, Tambaron, Alibatan (Target) and Suguicay. These islands take you back to the good old days of countryside living bereft of modern amenities but overflowing in nature’s bounty. Buktot in Mansalay is another noteworthy beach if you want a serene excursion away from the multitude.
Wondrous waterworld
In addition to its rich coastlines, the province also takes pride in its mesmerizing waterfalls, lakes and rushing rivers, which make it a wondrous waterworld. Soak in the rejuvenating icy cascades of Tamaraw Falls in Puerto Galera, Botolan in San Teodoro, Alpaparay in Baco, Manihala in Bansud and Walang Langit in Gloria, which is among the most sought-after because of the thick canopy en route to the place. You can also cruise aboard a banca or bamboo raft in the tranquil waters of Pola River, Caluangan Lake in Calapan, and Naujan Lake, or get a hydromassage at Lantuyang River in Baco. For a dose of adrenaline, try your hand in white-water kayaking at Aringoy River in San Teodoro, or at the Fortuna Tropical Upland Resort in Socorro, the must-do extreme adventure in Mindoro.
Cozy up in Calapan
The capital city of Calapan is the place to be if you want a dash of modern living with its handful of boutique hotels, beach resorts and pocket shopping malls. It is also the province’s gateway from Batangas City with its fast craft and roll-on, roll-off service. The mangrove forest in Silonay is a showcase of coastal biodiversity, bird-watching and sustainable tourism where every guest is given the opportunity to plant a mangrove seedling. There are two outlying islands off Calapan’s coast a swimming distance away, which guests can hop into and commune with nature without the madding crowd.
Mount Halcon
Mountaineering is among the most fascinating outdoor activity for Pinoys, and in this department, Mount Halcon won’t disappoint. Standing at 2,582 feet tall, it is regarded as one of the toughest climbs in the archipelago and favorite site to hold world-class tropical mountaineering challenges. Straddling the two Mindoro provinces, the majestic mountain is habitat to endemic flora and fauna. Halcon is not your ordinary mountain, so better train hard before ascending this peak.
Soul searching
A pre-Spanish settlement, Oriental Mindoro mirrors the soul of the archipelago. This can be seen at the Puerto Galera’s Excavation Museum, where remarkable unearthed China ware from the Sung Dynasty and sunken goods from the Manila-Acapulco galleon are on display. The church ruins of Bancuro in Naujan and Kuta in Bongabong tell of the sowing of the seeds of Catholicism in the then undivided Mindoro province. The indigenous villages of Mangyan tribes are living museums where visitors can catch a glimpse of the inhabitants’ way of life. A cultural event that serves as the window to the Mindoreño soul is the Pandang Gitab Festival, a fusion of the words pandango dance and dagitab, which immortalizes the fisherfolk’s native dance before they set out into the sea.
Story & Photos by Bernard L. Supetran