Let's Adventure to Mindoro!

"Panahon na naman ng Kapistahan ng ating Patron na si San Rafael... Sama sama po tayong magnilay at magdiwang sa isang linngong pag alala sa lahat ng mga biyayang natatangap at patuloy pa nating matatangap sa bayang ating minamahal...

Honorable Mayor Fiscal Eric Constantino

Come and Wait

Caminawit was said to be derived from the word “Come and wait” which was a common word by the American during the Sugar Milling operation before the World War II has begun. No account of Caminawit was ever recorded even before the Spanish Colonization, It was then a part of Mangarin with no inhabitants.


History

The sugar milling open in San Jose in 1910, and Caminawit became the site of the pier, the strategic location of the area was chosen as the anchor point of the vessel that will ship out the sugar, railways was constructed from Central to Caminawit to serve as transport facilities for the Sugar Milling Operation. In 1931 the F SHIBAMOTO Construction Company under the administration of C H PRICHETT as the general manager completed the construction of the said railways.

Several structure were constructed in Caminawit, one of them are the canteen building which serves as dining center of workers and employees. It was during this period when the name Caminawit was believed to be derived. It was a common word for the American who often told to Filipinos who wait for the train to “Come and wait”.

Inhabitants of Caminawit were a few settlers from the neighboring island, Panay, Romblon and the other. Worker of the Sugar Milling from other Barangays assigned at pier constructed dwelling at the vicinity or at the coastal area of Caminawit. Settlers from Visayan regions make their living as a fishermen and stevedoring activities, and later on other migrants from Luzon follows.

The Japanese during the Word War II used the Sugar Central facilities as military garrison in Caminawit to perpetrate the Japanese occupation in Mindoro. Port was used to harbor patrol boat, railways serves to transport their soldier to Barangay Central, and used the Sugar Milling as the headquarters. There was no major violence committed by the Japanese soldier in Caminawit, only a platoon size was deployed in the area. It has said that the fiesta which is on June 15, has also been encouraged by the Japanese as part of the conciliation campaign. The Japanese were friendly to the people of Caminawit, no reported abuse were committed against the residents

The first encounter between Japanese and Filipino guerillas was credited to happen in Caminawit, the famous words “ABANTE BALILO” was born in this encounter, suppose to be the order of the legendary Vincent Fortune to a certain lieutenant Ballio to move forward to the enemy lines.

The landing of McArtur at Aroma beach on the dawn of Dec. 15, 1944, lead to the liberation of San Jose and of Mindoro in general.

Sugar Central facilities devastation by war, lead to opening of a new opportunity to Port Operation in Caminawit. General Shipping and Stevedoring Company were established to start the early development. The Late Bibiano I. Gaudiel, was became the general manager, who later on become the Mayor of San Jose. He recruited workers for stevedoring services, mostly Visayan, other where farmer Sacadas, like Arabe, Beros, Cordova, Mendero, Peña, Penuela, Quirante, Telesforo, Zacarias and many others. Under the leadership of Bibiano Gaudiel these pioneering names has made great contribution not only in the economic field but in the formation of cultural and religious heritages of Caminawit. It was narrated by Mrs. Bergonia Fadri that monetary contribution was donated from the workers to fund the construction of the first chapel. These workers were devout Catholics who regarded Patron Saint Nuestra Señora de Salvacion as miraculous, that help them to survived various calamities like the great high tide of 1972, when water from Mangarin Bay and the western tide meet in one, that left the land surface underwater.

Continuous migration of settlers from Luzon and Visayas, and all parts of the country who are familiar with stededoring work and fishing, offering new life to the people from other places battered by war.
Information


Visibility:

Barangay Caminawit is situated in southern coastline of the Municipality of San Jose, isolated in the east by Mangarin Bay and in the southwest part by the municipal water of San Jose. On the northern side is Barangay Pag-asa.

Caminawit is divided by six sitios or purok namely as follows: Purok Maligaya, Purok Lapu-lapu, Purok Bayanihan, Purok Bagong Silang, Purok Tagumpay I and Purok Tagumpay 2.


Land area:

Caminawit has a total land area of 28.64 hectares. Almost 40% of the land area of Caminawit belong to the marine zone being a coastal Barangay. The topography of the land is flat and almost surrounded by seawater. Its vegetation include coconut trees, a portion of mangrove particularly in the marshland.


Population:

Based on the latest survey of NSO in 2000 Caminawit has a total population of 9,563 and a total households of 1,919, with annual growth rate of 1.96%.

Occidental Mindoro (Filipino: Kanlurang Mindoro, “Western Mindoro”; Spanish: Mindoro Occidental) is a province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. Mamburao is the capital. It occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro; Oriental Mindoro is at the eastern half. The South China Sea is to the west of the province and Palawan is located to the southwest, across Mindoro Strait. Batangas is to the north, separated by the Verde Island Passage.

Political divisions

Occidental Mindoro is subdivided into 11 municipalities.

Demographics

The population of Occidental Mindoro is 380,250 as of the 2000 census, making it the country's 21st least populated province. The population density is 65 persons per km². Major languages spoken are Tagalog, Ilokano, Visaya, Kapampangan, Bikolano, Mangyan, and other mainstream languages in the country. Occidental Mindoro is a cultural melting pot, populated mostly by recent immigrants.

The indigenous people in the province are the Mangyans (Manguianes in Spanish, Mañguianes in Old Tagalog), consisting of 7 distinct tribes. They occupy the interior, specially the highlands. Mangyans have inhabited the island since pre-history. They are believed to have originally travelled from Indonesia and settled down for good in the island.

There have been recent studies that Mangyans were formerly living near the coastlines, but they were compelled to move into the interior jungles of the island when the Spanish colonizers came.

Economy

Occidental Mindoro is an agricultural area. It 's economic base is rice production. It is the leading activity in the province, participated in by almost 80 per cent of the population, including children. Wet land or lowland rice is a rainy season crop, being heavily dependent on water, and therefore produced from July (planting season) to October (harvest season). Tobacco, onions, garlic and vegetables are rather grown during the dry season (November to May)since they are not water-intensive crops, and require longer photoperiodicity.

Rice, corn, onions, garlic, salt, fishes(both wild water and cultured) are some of the relatively significant surpluses produced in the province in exportable quantities. Mangoes, cashew nuts, cooking bananas (saba) and some other fruits grown in upland orchards are among the other exports of Occidental Mindoro that have traditionally contributed to its income. Peanuts are also comfortably grown in some parts of the province, as well as cassava, sweet potatoes, ginger and other minor cultivars.

Forest resources include timber and minerals, among them gold, copper, silver, chrome, and non-metallic minerals such as lime for making cement, and greenstones for ornaments. Timber groups include many species of hardwoods, such as mahogany, and other types of trees in high demand for durability.

There are no large industry in the province. Employment is largely seasonal and agriculture-dependent, with only the government as the biggest employer. The local electric cooperative, Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO), is the biggest employer in the private sector, with nearly 150 regular employees. The rest of the population are engaged in private trades

Geography

General land surface features that characterize Occidental Mindoro are mountains, rivers, hills, valleys, wide plains and some small fresh water lakes.The taller mountains can be found in the interior that it shares with Oriental Mindoro.

Mountain ranges converge on the two central peaks, namely Mt. Halcon in the North, and Mt. Baco in the South. The northern part of the province has relatively fewer plains, while the southern parts have wider flatlands. Most of the plains are cultivated fields, with few remaining untouched forests.

There are several major drainage or river systems flowing on a generally westerly course: Mamburao river, Pagbahan, Mompong, Biga, Lumintao, Busuanga and Caguray.

Significant hilly areas can be found rolling off in Sta Cruz in the north, and in San Jose and Magsaysay in the south. These are grassed-over rather than forested.

Swamp areas are restricted to the south, specially, along the river mouths.

Climate

The province has two distinct weather patterns, rainy from June to October, and dry from November to May. Wettest period is from August to September, and driest from March to April. Temperature range is from 78 °F (26 °C) in the windy uplands to 90 F (32 °C) in the unstirring lowlands.

The Mindoro Tarictic Hornbill, another endangered wildlife from the island of the Tamaraws.

Where does the Mindoro Tarictic live?

A tarictic feeding tree

What is life like for this bird?

What can be done?

Marks and colors of a Mindoro Tarictic

Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines

Your GATEWAY to Western Mindoro Island…the WATERFALLS CAPITAL…

How to Get Here?

Abra de Ilog is one of the 11 towns in Occidental Mindoro. It is located in the West side of Mindoro Island in the Southern Tagalog region of the Philippine Archipelago.

To get here, there are several RORO trips from Batangas International Port to Matabang Port which take approximately 2 ½ hours. Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. (MSLI), the origin of which started from this very place takes pride as the major transport vessel not only to the local residents but to the whole province as well hence, Abra de Ilog takes pride as the major GATEWAY to entire Occidental Mindoro.

From Matabang Port, one can hire a tricycle for only Php 20.00 to get to Poblacion, which is the center of all hubs & activities of the town. Anyone can explore the nine (9) friendly Barangays of the town via tricycle or by taking a walk while enjoying the peaceful scenery.

We are also home to multiple beach resorts which can give Puerto Galera beaches a run for their money. Oriental tourists prefer the Abra de Ilog coast because of its solitude, quietude & serenity. Waterfalls are one of the most visited and loved by local and foreign adventurers. Spelunking and white water rafting can be offered also to those who would like to take extreme challenge of nature.

Brief Profile

The Municipality of Abra de Ilog lies in the northernmost tip of the mainland Occidental Mindoro. It is bounded by Paluan in the West, Mamburao in the South & Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro in the East. It has a total land area of 72, 865.870 hectare, consisting mainly of 70.47% forest land and 20.91% agricultural. Just like the rest of the country, Abra de Ilog experiences dry season during the months of March, April & May. Rainy season starts in June and persists until late November. But unlike other coastal towns Abra de Ilog is located between two ranges of mountain hence; it can have a low of 20.8°C even during summer and a high of 30.1°C during wet seasons.

Its terrain can be attributed to the rugged mountains ranging from the coastline up to the most isolated, untouched land formation going further south. The town has average annual rainfall is 2,262.5 mm to 3,850 mm while the humidity range from 63° to 87° with an average of 75.4°. Based on 2004 Local Government Unit survey, the town has a total population of 23,915, 33.78% of which are Indigenous People (IPs) with almost 1:1 male to female ratio. Lowlanders or Tagalog are 15,835. Electorate population is 12,126. About 90.14% of families belong to poverty level.

Festivities

There are several occasions being celebrated every year. The likes of which are the Feast of San Rafael Archangel the Patron Saint of Abra de Ilog, Apo Iraya Festival and “Penitensya” Holy Week Pilgrimage.

Our Heritage

Most houses in Poblacion took after its Spanish influence. It can be seen through the architectural designs and the ways of the people themselves.These Acacia trees are the only one of its kind left during the Japanese occupation. The whole town was totally burned down but these sturdy trees survived the tragedy.

Beaches

Barangay Udalo is also home to multiple beach resorts which can give Puerto Galera beaches a run for their money. Oriental tourists prefer the Abra de Ilog coast because of its solitude, quietude & serenity. Casay Beach Resort offers very relaxing scenery on nipa cottages, native hammocks and sailboat. It is the first establishment in the town that has utilized non-fossil fuel as its source of energy. The powers take pride in their solar and wind powered facilities.

Our Finest

Kalong River located in Sitio Camurong is the only inland body of crystal clear water with a distinct white sand riverbank. It is a great come on for both local and foreign tourist.

Luang Baga Cave has been explored by the National Museum staff in 1992 when a number of anthropologist & paleontologist teamed up with our LGU personnel. The data has already been included in the Museum’s Archives.

Lanas Lake. Once a home of Mindoro’s crocodiles. It is almost a hundred hectare body of water located in Barangay Cabacao. Source of the tastiest Tilapia in the neighboring towns.

Agbalala Waterfalls. It is about 115 feet tall with 45 x 75 feet catchments pool. Agbalala – 16.46m X 22.86m catchments pool, Height 34.44m, Depth 3.65m. Above it is another breathtaking waterfall which is Agbalala Lovers Falls. Lovers falls – 13.72m X 9.15m Catchments pool, Height 13.72m, depth 2.44m

The Apyas Waterfalls is frequent hang-out among the local residents because of its proximity to Poblacion. You can enjoy the whole place anytime of the day paying only Php 10.00 for the maintenance of the place. Apyas – Height 4.57m, Depth 1.22m, 1.83m top to water surface

The greatest tourist attraction Abra de Ilog can offer is its inhabitants. Nobody can match the warmth, the solidarity, the industry and uniqueness of its people.

Ecotourism Potential Sites in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro

Beach Resorts

1. Beach Walk Resort – Barangay Lumangbayan
   
   
2. Casay Beach Resort – Barangay Wawa
   
   
3. Cymru Beach Resort – Barangay Wawa
   
   
4. Green Wich Hills Beach Resort – Barangay Wawa
   
   
5. San Souci Beach – Barangay Udalo
   
   
6. Tuko Beach Resort – Barangay Udalo
   
   
7. Udalo Beach Resort – Barangay Udalo
   
   
8. Yellow Beach – Barangay Lumangbayan
   
   
9. Wild Trek – Barangay Udalo

Waterfalls

1. Agbalala Chain of Waterfalls – Barangay Wawa
   
   
2. Apyas Waterfalls – Barangay Wawa
   
   
3. Bagolayag Waterfalls – Barangay Wawa
   
   
4. Balagnan Waterfalls – Barangay Wawa
   
   
5. Kalong river – Barangay Udalo
   
   
6. Bisay Waterfalls – Barangay Lumangbayan
   
   
7. Kadilawan Waterfalls – Barangay San Vicente
   
   
8. Mamangan – Bisay Waterfalls – Barangay Cabacao
   
   
9. Nangka Waterfalls – Barangay Balao
   
   
10. Papali Waterfalls – Barangay Wawa
    
    
11. Sto. Tomas Waterfalls – Barangay Wawa
    
    
12. Swim-Lawaan Waterfalls – Barangay Poblacion
    
    
13. Rayusan Waterfalls – Barangay Armado
    
    
14. Tulong Bato Waterfalls – Barangay Udalo
    
    
15. Tuuyan Waterfalls – Barangay Balao

Caves, Rivers & Lakes

1. Luang Baga Cave – Barangay Cabacao
   
   
2. Tuaw – Masaklang River Rapids – Barangay Cababcao
   
   
3. Lanas Lake – Barangay Cabacao

Historical Sites

1. Pinaglabanan Site – Barangay Lumangbayan
   
   
2. Pinagbanderahan – Barangay Armado

Festivities

1. San Rafael Archangel Patron Saint Fiesta – October 23-24
   
   
2. Apo Iraya Festival – October 24
   
   
3. Mahal na Araw Penitensya

Abra de Ilog Blog

Bleeding-heart is a pigeon, so called because of a distinct red or orange marking on its breast that looks like it is bleeding. It may be Mother Nature’s sense of humor that stained these birds with target shooting marks, but these awesome patches make them special from all other colorful birds. The distinct patch slightly varies in shape and color among species of Bleeding-hearts.

For the Mindoro Bleeding-heart, it is orange and relatively elongated.
Unlike many birds, the males and females of this species look the same.

Found only in Mindoro, a 9,826-square kilometer island southwest of mainland Luzon, the Mindoro Bleeding-heart is known as Kulo-kulo to the Mangyans, the indigenous peoples living in Mindoro’s forests. The bird also goes by the local names La-do, Manatad, Manuk-manuk, Punay, and Puñalada. Although similar in habits to its cousin the Common Emerald-dove (Chalcophaps indica), its calls and appearance are different.

San Jose is a 1st class municipality in the province of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 111,009 people in 22,464 households.

San Jose is considered the main commercial port in the province. It is named after its patron saint, St. Joseph, the husband of Mary. Most of the people are Visayans, Batangueños and Ilocanos.

San Jose is the center of entertainment and business in the province. Major banks such as Philippine National Bank (PNB), United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Allied Bank, Metrobank, Landbank, Philippine Veterans Bank, have local branches and even fast food chain Jollibee has started operations in San Jose. Telecommunication services are provided by Digital Telecommunications (Digitel), Smart Communications, Globe, RCPI, and Piltel. Numerous internet cafes are also available mainly in the poblacion area. Major schools in the province include Divine Word College, Montessori de San Jose, Philippine Central Islands College (PCIC)and the Occidental Mindoro National College.

The population growth currently experienced by San Jose is attributed to a growing number of migrants.

San Jose is politically subdivided into 38 barangays

Justification This species has an extremely small, severely fragmented population which is undergoing a continuing decline owing to lowland forest destruction, combined with hunting and trade. For these reasons it is listed as Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Columbidae

Species name author (Salvadori, 1891)

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 30 cm. Medium-sized, short-tailed, ground-dwelling pigeon. Small, bright orange central patch to otherwise white underparts. Dark grey crown, nape, upper mantle and breast-sides, glossed iridescent green. Dark chestnut rest of upperparts, glossed reddish-purple. Large, greyish-white tips to lesser and median wing-coverts. Grey tail and uppertail-coverts, latter with darker subterminal band and paler tip. Legs red. Voice Undocumented. Hints Feeds on the forest floor. Shy, tends to run from danger, typically only flying short distances when flushed.

Conservation measures proposed Urgently produce a detailed map of remaining forests on Mindoro, and survey these systematically to clarify its current distribution and population status. Follow up any anecdotal reports of the species. Conduct ecological studies to assess its requirements for breeding and foraging. Produce a management plan for the forest at Siburan that reconciles biodiversity conservation with its role as a prison. Strengthen and support forest management by the Site Support Group at Siburan.

Source here

MANILA, Philippines - A predawn quake that state seismologists said was an aftershock of a "major" quake Saturday last week rocked parts of Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, on Thursday.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) seismologist Rommel Grutas said the aftershock was recorded at 2:04 a.m. Thursday.

"Usually pag malaki ang lindol, series of aftershocks ang nagaganap (After a major quake, you have to expect a series of aftershocks)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Grutas said the "main quake" occurred before noon last Saturday near Mamburao in Occidental Mindoro province, at magnitude 6.5.

He said the epicenter of Thursday's predawn quake was traced to 42 km northwest of Mamburao in Mindoro Occidental, at magnitude 5.3.

Initial reports reaching Phivolcs showed Thursday's quake was felt at Intensity 4 in Paluan in Occidental Mindoro, which Grutas said was enough to jolt people from sleep.

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in Puerto Galera, and Intensity 2 in Tagaytay City, Makati City, Quezon City, and Muntinlupa City.

"Sa Makati maraming makaramdam niyan pag sa high-rise building, usually upper floors (It can be felt in Makati, especially in the upper floors of high-rise buildings)," he said. - GMANews.TV