The Town

Sablayan · A First Class Town in Occidental Mindoro



Behind us is the Sablayan Municipal Hall. It is really a neat and beautiful municipal building. I've seen others but this one is quite neat.


About The Town
Sablayan was derived from the word Sablay, a Visayan term meaning wave convergence. In the early times, the very location of the town was where the waves from North and South China Sea meet, hence, the name Sablay that later became Sablayan.

Mangyans were the ancient aborigines of Mindoro. They were believed to be of Malayan origin. They were joined in by natives from neighboring islands–mostly Panayeños led by the TANUNGAN (venerable elderly members of a tribe who acquired the mantle age and wisdom over all other members of the tribe) during the second Spanish settlement established by Legaspi. Years later, more arrived who, unlike the first migrants, were already converted Christians; and sometime in 1861 migrants increased in population.

The means of livelihood was agriculture, fishing and hunting. Women though were engaged in weaving sigurang, a fiber derived from buri/nipa leaves.

Sablayan then was often subject to raids by Muslim pirates and slave traders so a wooden tower was built–watched round the clock to guard against approaching raiders. This alarm system was augmented in 1896, when four bells of varied sizes–believed to have been manufactured in Spain–arrived from Manila. These bells rang musical chimes.

Upon the arrival of a Spanish priest, a church had to be built. Men, women and children were conscripted to work on it. After ten years of backbreaking arduous toil, the church was made functional sometime in 1896. This church is now in ruins, its bells gone but the biggest cannon standstill atop a small hill near the lighthouse of Parola. The church was abandoned when the town proper was moved to Buenavista.

The Second Spanish Settlement established by Legaspi in Panay Island in 1565 led to the occupation of Iling Island just of the Southwestern coast of Mindoro and later of Lubang Island in 1569.

As the Spanish influence and powers became more deeply rooted in Panay Island, the natives began to experience the growing oppression of the colonizers–rebellious Panayeños began to look towards the sea. When the Spaniards began to recruit natives into fighting for the conquest of other areas, some Panayeños thought it better to transfer to other places–hence, waves of Panayeños landed in Sablayan and settled there.

In 1901, the first American arrived in Sablayan. Due to the outbreak of Fil-American war, Americans burned the town in 1903. It took years before Sablayan was rebuilt.

Sablayan was already a pueblo (town) under the Spaniards when the Americans came. However, when the American Government took over–owing perhaps to its proximity and accessibility to the National Government–it was converted into a full pledge municipality on January 04, 1906 by virtue of Act No. 1820 of the Philippine Commission.

Note • This write-up was taken from the official Local Government Unit Profile of Sablayan. For further details you may visit the following URL: elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/sablayan

About Our Experience
We went around the town. It was small but neat. And I mean neat despite the heat. The main public form of transportation is tricycle. You will see and hear lots of it, well somehow they are not really that annoying.

Each passenger fare costs 7 pesos. We were told that there was an unwritten mandate from the local government that they are not supposed to overcharge tourists, whether local or foreign, that is to encourage them to come back. Well, there was only one instance, we were charged 8 pesos per passenger. But I willingly let it go. Not really an issue.

The wet market is very clean and more importantly not SMELLY. The town people are friendly. There is this one place the we usually have our dinner whenever we finish our trip late - the Kainan sa Kubo (which is translated Eatery at the Hut) restaurant. Inside this restaurant, there are small huts for two. Yes, for dating purposes.

And we also noticed that they have no fast-food! Yes! Not one commercial fast-food! That is really good! In my opinion, the Town should keep them away!

My overall rate? From the scale of 1 to 10, I give 9. The only issue is that we were not able to buy cold mineral/distilled drinking water!

For me the Sablayan Town experience is something next to Palawan's Puerto Princessa. Sablayanos have something to be really proud of!

How to Get There
I can only provide you with instructions if you're coming from Manila. Follow the steps below:

[1.] Take a provincial bus line, Jam or BLTB, going to Batangas Pier. Fare costs 154 pesos, travel time is less than 3 hours if you travel late at night.

[2.] Upon arrival at the Pier, go inside the pier station and proceed to the ticketing station of the Montenegro Shipping Lines and pay 160 pesos for the ticket fare going to Abra de Ilog. Travel time is about 3 hours.
Schedule of trips is as follows: 4.00 am, 12.00 pm, and 4.00 pm. These are departure time. Boarding time is at least 30 minutes before departure.

[3.] Upon arriving Abra de Ilog, find a van that will go to Sablayan. It is very important to be fast, because you might be left behind. Fare costs 210 pesos. Travel time is about 3 hours. By the way, the road to Sablayan is rough.

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These photos were taken at the Golden Gate-like bridge just near the Sablayan Mall (actually a wet market). I really like the way it swayed when we crossed it and only people and motorbikes can pass. A photo of the mall was taken from bridge.





These photos were taken from the Parola Park. I wasn't able to take a photo of the old parola (lighthouse) due to low battery load, however I managed to take a scene of the mangrove situated below with a wonderful and lovely lady. And finally, a photo of the Sablayan Sunset viewed from the parola hill! Beautiful indeed!

The Cave

Barangay Santo Niño · A Nice Cave & A Great View from its Peak!



About Our Experience
Agsuli Cave is cool! It won't take long for you to go to the cave's back entrance from its front entrance, say just around 20 minutes. The way inside is often low and narrow but not like other caves I've went through, this one was not muddy. We crawled from cavern to cavern. Halfway to the back entrance, there was this big cavern with big, thick, and tall roots coming from above us. We actually took photos of them. Well, you just have to bring good flashlights to light your way, because it is completely dark inside! Cave Tripping is one of my fascination.

Now as we go back, we have to trek around the mountain, through its peak and down again until we reach the front entrance. The way to its peak was a little difficult, since sharp limestones acted as stairs going up (and down), we have to move carefully from limestone to limestone. It was thrilling actually! We were told by Ryan, our tour guide, to be extra careful of stepping on the clusters of leaves, because these could be small openings that lead to the cave. Aaaawwww!

Upon reaching the peak, we were elated by the view! A wide span of mountains and forests were laid before us! It also overlooked the SEA and the wind coming from it gave us a refresing rest. We stayed there for 10 minutes.

As we go down again and through the forest, we just thought that this experience was a good way to start our week-long vacation. It was indeed!

How to Get There
These instructions is only applicable if you're coming from Sablayan town proper. Follow the steps below:

[1.] Take the tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to the Barangay Hall of Santo Niño

[2.] Once you are there, go talked to the barangay people and register your names and pay for the Tour Fee of 15 pesos

[3.] Wait for the tour guide (or guides depending how many you are), then off you go to Agsuli Cave!

Very Important Note · If you're planning to go there by your own, don't attempt it. You'll get lost. You will defintely need a guide.

The Resort

DJ Beach Resort · Hospitality at its Best!


Meet our warm Host and Hostess, Tatay and Nanay De Jesus

About Our Experience
We chose this place as our summer base camp. We rented a room for 7 days. We were out most of the time but we had full confidence that none of our belongings will be stolen, even the valuable ones. Whatever valuable or stuff we leave including its position stays except for the beddings and pillows.

Let me say with all of my heart that this is the best resort I've stayed in. Not so much for its facility (though it has Sablayan's most unique feature for a resort which I will tell you later) but more particularly of its very warm reception and hospitality. They treated us as their own. We even call them Nanay (Mother) and Tatay (Father). Their reception and hospitality are the warmest I have experienced so far, considering they don't even know us.

And whenever we come back from a trip and we would look so tired, they would always offer to cook for us---what a MEAL! Fresh fish! You can always be assured that whenever they serve you fish its FRESSHHHH! By the way, Lapu-Lapu is only 80 pesos per kilogram and 120 pesos during Good Friday!

Now, about the unique physical feature of this resort I mentioned just a moment ago, it has what we fondly call Kubo sa Dagat, or in English, Sea Huts. So what's special about it? They can only be found in this resort! We really loved spending time here, most especially during SIESTA! The fresh wind breezing through the kubo and the gentle sound of the waves is heard under your head!









Monday afternoon, after our catnap, we decided to swim and snorkel. We were surprised to discover that it has living corals too! Not far away from their beach front! We even found a large blue-coloured Lion Fish! One morning, I saw an octopus with head as large as my fist. And another time, before taking a catnap, two of my friends spotted a Pawikan's head breathing-in some air!

Another unique thing about this resort is that it is the only resort WITHOUT a videoke! Yes,remember that! WITHOUT a videoke! We really experienced ESCAPE.

I always look forward to coming back to that place! Room 8, and Sea Hut 5. Actually I'm planning to go back this November, and yes, with more friends.

My rating? From the scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, I would give this place a resounding 10! If you are interested to stay there, you may contact Nanay through her mobile number, +63.(0920).384.87.61. Her actual name is Gloria De Jesus, Glory of Jesus! O what a name indeed!.

The Resort
The compound is relatively spacious compared to other resorts. The parking area can fit six cars. There is this tall tree in the middle of the compound and I noticed that the Sun is just above it and I decided to take a shot of it, it went good.





We stayed at Room 8 and above it is our Fellowship Place, where we spend a lot of time talking more particularly---EATING. This was the place where the Vicious Attack of the Coconut Killers happened.




The one smiling has already massacred her portion and she seemed satisfied, but obviously the other two are still on the rampage! GRrrrRRRrrr!!! Ngassabbb! Kaggattth! NguuyaaaA! I was a witness of their merciless slaughter!

The Beach Front & Mga Kubo sa Dagat
Before we went into the huts, I saw some children playing and holding unto a log as if their lives are dependent on it.



After our triumphant conquest of the Coconuts (yes.. yes.. I was part of it) and our encounter with Sinigang na Lapu-Lapu, or in English Sour-Stew Miniata Grouper, we felt we need a nice long siesta. And so we did. We went to the sea huts and we had our fresh and undisturbed sleep. I never experienced this for a long time!

If we're not out for a trip to somewhere, we make sure that we spend time together in this place, we just transfer from hut to hut. Hut 5 is the best. I did some 'art' shoots in one of these huts. The shots were beautiful. I particularly love the effect of the colour of the water seen under us through the vertical small openings on the floor.






One morning, I caught some shades of gold coming from the rising sun. Shades that touch the huts from a distance. I loved it actually!




I was also able to take a shot of the Sea Huts when the Sun was just about to rise.



And lastly, I believe I made one good shot of the Sablayan Sunset from the boardwalk view with Hut 1 as foreground.




How to Get There
I can only provide you with instructions if you're coming from Manila. Follow the steps below:

[1.] Take a provincial bus line, Jam or BLTB, going to Batangas Pier. Fare costs 154 pesos, travel time is less than 3 hours if you travel late at night.

[2.] Upon arrival at the Pier, go inside the pier station and proceed to the ticketing station of the Montenegro Shipping Lines and pay 160 pesos for the ticket fare going to Abra de Ilog. Travel time is about 3 hours.
Schedule of trips is as follows: 4.00 am, 12.00 pm, and 4.00 pm. These are departure time. Boarding time is at least 30 minutes before departure.

[3.] Upon arriving Abra de Ilog, find a van that will go to Sablayan. It is very important to be fast, because you might be left behind. Fare costs 210 pesos. Travel time is about 3 hours. By the way, the road to Sablayan is rough.

[4.] Upon arriving Sablayan, the van will drop you off to its terminal. Then you hire tricycles (it can conveniently accommodate 2 if you have baggages). Tell the driver to bring you to DJ Beach Resort. Nanay or Tatay will welcome you!. But before you do all of these, make sure that you have contacted them first!

The Island

Pandan Island · Paradise Within Reach!


The picturesque shorescape of Pandan Grande Island!

About the Island
Pandan Island is a private island with a small resort on the West coast of Occidental Mindoro, Central Philippines. After the island was 'discovered' and the resort established in 1986 by a French adventurer, this tropical island retreat has been voted time and again as one of the top resorts in the Philippines, not in terms of luxury but for it's quality of life and it's personalised atmosphere.

About the Island
Pandan Island is a private island with a small resort on the West coast of Occidental Mindoro, Central Philippines. After the island was 'discovered' and the resort established in 1986 by a French adventurer, this tropical island retreat has been voted time and again as one of the top resorts in the Philippines, not in terms of luxury but for it's quality of life and it's personalised atmosphere.

Pandan Island is for people who like to spend time in tropical surroundings without cars and television. A place where you are woken up by the singing of colourful birds, where there is only a palm tree between you and the sea, where you still know your neighbours and where you may even meet a sea turtle before having your breakfast.

Some of the best spots for snorkeling around Pandan Island can be found just in front of the beach bar. With the coral reef starting right on the beach you can swim around colorful tropical fish within minutes after you arrive.

On Lionfish Den, a coral block in about 3 meters depth, you can observe a big variety of tropical fish such as parrot fish, butterfly fish, trigger fish and sergeant major, lion fish , snappers.

The diveshop is renting masks, snorkel and all sizes of fins if you did not bring your own gear and our helpful staff is happy to share with you the latest secrets about the turtles' hang-out.

Note · This write-up is taken from Pandan Island's official website. For further information you may visit the following URL: www.pandan.com.

About Our Experience
Pandan Island is like experiencing the white beaches and clear waters of scenic wallpapers. True! Just look at the photos below! It is truly a paradise within reach. It is just a fifteen-minute boat ride from the mainland. We never imagined that there would be a place so beautiful as this and yet could be so near. Who can blame us? Most of the paradisiacal places that we know or had visited were never near to their respective town proper.

The island has a small rainforest with a trail that splits into two. One leads you to a lagoon and the other to a towering coral which they fondly nicknamed Spanish Nose. There in the forest, you would hear the diverse sounds of exotic birds, including the amplified sound of crickets. I was imagining a giant one––something as large as my fist!






When your feet touch the long strip of white sands, you will feel its softness. It was relaxing to the feet actually. The line-up of coconut trees along this white strip really made the island even more picturesque!





We were not able to secure an overnight stay, however, we managed to arranged a daytrip tour to The Island with the help of the local tourism. We went there the day before going to Apo Reef Natural Park. It actually served as an appetiser for our Apo Reef Tour! And what an appetiser indeed!

It was here where we finally experienced our dream of seeing a PAWIKAN! A Giant Sea Turtle! It was AWESOME! It was my first encounter with a wild Pawikan! Well you see I only get to see them when they are in captivity. It was an entirely different experience when you see them in the wild!

Our video guy, Lekoi, was the one who spotted the Pawikan and called us to come near him. When we saw this beautiful creature, eight feet below us, he was crawling and it seemed he was eating something––looked like a very small rock (or coral perhaps). I wasn't able to prevent myself to see him closely. I went down and got near him within arm's reach! But I never touched him though I can. It was more of a respect to Mother Nature and to her children. He swam high and then low, he emerged and then submerged. He was fast actually! I was able to swim with him only for a short distance but he went away so fast! I would have never known that Sea Turtles could swim so fast if I had not seen it myself.

Well, about the corals and the fishes of Pandan Island––they really flourish! Here you will see lots of them and I mean LOTS of them! We scattered since there was so much to see! Lots of big corals! Camouflaged fishes! Nemo and company were there. There are too many!







We ended our tour at 3.30 pm since the boat will be fetching us back to the mainland at 4.00 pm and it arrived fifteen minutes earlier. We left the place with a little regret that we should have stayed overnight. Then we looked forward to another day––TOMORROW. Since this will be the day that we get to experience Apo.


How to Get There
I can only provide you with instructions if you're coming from Manila. Follow the steps below:

[1.] Take a provincial bus line, Jam or BLTB, going to Batangas Pier. Fare costs 154 pesos, travel time is less than 3 hours if you travel late at night.

[2.] Upon arrival at the Pier, go inside the pier station and proceed to the ticketing station of the Montenegro Shipping Lines and pay 160 pesos for the ticket fare going to Abra de Ilog. Travel time is about 3 hours.
Schedule of trips is as follows: 4.00 am, 12.00 pm, and 4.00 pm. These are departure time. Boarding time is at least 30 minutes before departure.

[3.] Upon arriving Abra de Ilog, find a van that will go to Sablayan. It is very important to be fast, because you might be left behind. Fare costs 210 pesos. Travel time is about 3 hours. By the way, the road to Sablayan is rough.

[4.] Upon arriving Sablayan, the van will drop you off to its terminal. Then you hire tricycles (it can conveniently accommodate 2 if you have baggages). Tell the driver to bring you to Pandan Island Boat Terminal. Look for Rose to make the arrangement.

The Reef

Apo Reef Natural Park · The Second Largest Coral Reef in the World


Two shots of Lighthouse at The Apo Reef Natural Park.

About the Reef
One of the dive sites frequented by most divers in Occidental Mindoro is the Apo Reef. It is acclaimed as the best in Asia and second largest in the world, and as the diving mecca of the Philippines.

It is a 34-kilometer reef, located 20 miles west of Mindoro proper, with a narrow channel running east to west, dividing this reef into two lagoon systems, north and south. Underneath, the clean waters, fine white sand, and numerous corals are visible.

The Apo Reef Marine Park includes the fascinating bird-populated islands of Binangaan and Caios del Bajo, which have a variety of birds that can irresistibly lure birdwatchers. The surrounding waters are abundant with marine fauna and luxuriant coral growth represented by approximately 400-500 kaleidoscopic coral species. Marine life includes varieties of sharks, stingrays, and manta rays. There are over 500 species.

Note · This write-up is taken from the official website of the Philippine Tourism. For further details you may visit:
www.tourism.gov.ph Or you may also read or download the The Reef's detailed profile in PDF format from www.aseanbiodiversity.org

About Our Experience
Our only vision of the famous Apo Reef is its photos found across the internet. And ironically, most of the sources are not Asian, but European, particularly German and French.

We were actually excited to get there. We were scheduled to go there Thursday and leave the next day. But before that day came, we already spent a day at the paradisaical Pandan Island. And we thought that if Pandan has it, would there be more at Apo Reef?

We left DJ Beach Resort at around 5.00 am to go to Pondohan, the terminal for boats going to Apo Reef. We left Pondohan at 5.15 am. As we were leaving, each of the crew were introduced to us by Ogie, our tour guide for Apo Reef. We were informed that when we cannot anymore see the Island of Mindoro, we are already half-way to the Largest Reef in Asiathe second in the world. It would take more or less three hours of travel.

We actually slept on the first hour. By the time I and Lekoi woke up, the Island of Mindoro was already too small to be seen. The breeze was of course pleasurable to the sensation. Few minutes more as we look back to where we came from, Mindoro was not anymore visible. What we saw was a straight line surrounding us. The sky was clear and Blue. It was BEAUTIFUL! Really Comely and Exhilarating. As we speedily cruised the open sea, we saw schools of Flying Fish! We saw a big one which came from under us, it flew high and its flight was long. And we saw lots of them all around.

As we were nearing The Reef, I suddenly felt the excitement when I saw a small but familiar figure of the White Lighthouse! I pointed it to them, they got excited too. But as our boat cruised nearer and nearer we noticed that the waters---the OPEN SEA---was strangely calm and undisturbed despite the presence of the wind. From our vantage point, the sea looks like glass! So clear and still! It was a strange experience. We were there out in the open sea and its waters are still. Strange indeed!



Our fascination escalated more and more when we saw the splendid arrays of Corals under us! It was an impressive display of corals after corals. We got so excited that we don't even know what to do! We stood then we looked down. Then sit and looked down again. Then we changed places then sit and looked, stood and looked. Maybe each one of us had that feeling of wanting to already dive and start the fun!

Upon our arrival, we were welcomed by Medel, the very friendly Tourism Officer and we were introduced to the Apo Reef Team stationed in that island.





The first fun we did was to go to the Mangrove to spot a Manta Ray or a Pawikan. Even though we were not able to spot one of them, we still enjoyed the sight of the mangrove.






Afterwards, we went straight to the highest lighthouse I've ever seen. We called it the White Lighthouse, obviously we named it after its colour. If you think it's already beautiful on the outside, it is equally beautiful on the inside. We climbed up to the middle section, it was actually a thrilling experience. And up there? Let me tell you, the view from this place was so ELATING. We don't want to go down anymore! We even planned to comeback the next day.









Before we took lunch, we were asked if we want to join snorkelling with the balsa or raft. The raft can accommodate 12 people. Well, it was not really a raft but it was just a raft without the flat surface but only the skeleton. It was my first time to snorkel without having the effort to do it since the raft is being drawn slowly by an outrigger boat. It was splendid! Splendid indeed! We snorkelled for one-and-a-half hours! We just held to one of its poles. We did not even noticed the time.

We also enjoyed the night. We had our group devotion first then we slept in tents. Of course, the women in the Pink tent and the men in the Blue tent. By the way, the moon was so beautiful! She provided us with her bright light.

We rose very early in the morning just to spot a Pawikan. We were unsuccessful. Later while we were preparing lunch, we heard that this gentle creature were spotted the night before just near our tent. Ahhh! We missed the opportunity! Anyway, we still managed to enjoy the dawning of the Morning Sun. The sky was painted in Violet!






After enjoying the view of the sky, we ate breakfast and off we went to the sea again---this time without the raft. The scenes were too beautiful! Schools after schools of fishes just passed by! Fishes of different colours, sizes, and even movements can be seen all around and I am NOT exaggerating! It is true! Angel Fish, Lion Fish, Nemo and Friends, there were just too many to tell!

To continue.... there were also Barracudas! Clams of different sizes and colours! Soft and hard corals! You name it Apo has it! Normally you'll just see Brown and Green corals, here you will see Violet, Blue, and Red! Ohh my! If you want to take a short rest, you'll just have to find a hard coral to step on, once you enter the Coral Zone you won't anymore see a portion of sand, all corals of great varieties occupy this part of the sea! One amazing thing was that we did not see urchins, not even one. Apo Reef is indeed a Coral Paradise!








Before we got there, we just looked at Apo Reef from the images of photographs, this time---the images were alive and we were enjoying every minute of it. God has really blessed our retreat, and we are thankful for the beautiful living memories of His creation!










How to Get There
I can only provide you with instructions if you're coming from Manila. Follow the steps below:

[1.] Take a provincial bus line, Jam or BLTB, going to Batangas Pier. Fare costs 154 pesos, travel time is less than 3 hours if you travel late at night.

[2.] Upon arrival at the Pier, go inside the pier station and proceed to the ticketing station of the Montenegro Shipping Lines and pay 160 pesos for the ticket fare going to Abra de Ilog. Travel time is about 3 hours.
Schedule of trips is as follows: 4.00 am, 12.00 pm, and 4.00 pm. These are departure time. Boarding time is at least 30 minutes before departure.

[3.] Upon arriving Abra de Ilog, find a van that will go to Sablayan. It is very important to be fast, because you might be left behind. Fare costs 210 pesos. Travel time is about 3 hours. By the way, the road to Sablayan is rough.

[4. ] Upon arriving Sablayan, tell the driver to drop you off at the Town Plaza. When you get there, the Eco Tourism Office can be easily spotted. Go to the office and make the necessary arrangement for your trip to Apo Reef. You may contact them ahead of time through this mobile number +63.(0910).467.49.15, and then look for one of the following personnel: Angie, Sylvia, Ogie, or Medel. This is where you also make arrangements for renting tents, diving masks, snorkels, scuba gears, and other stuffs that you may need during your stay at The Reef.

Another contact person that could help you is Mr. Rey Daño, from DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). His mobile number is +63.(0927).504.59.58.

Note · The instructions end here since they will be the ones making and giving instructions to you concerning your trip to The Reef.