Why You Should
Visit My Home: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
I was born and raised in Bulacan… born
with pure Bulakena roots. But I consider myself
as half- blood Mindoreno. I guess being a lagalag
(nomad) runs in my blood. My maternal grand parents,
pure Bulakenos, set foot in Mindoro to escape the
chaos brought by the war. Since then, they have
been transferring to/ from Bulacan and Mindoro.
My mom and some of her siblings were born in Mindoro,
while others were born in Bulacan. When the war
ended, they settled in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro,
away from the relatives and friends. They built
their own clan there and had new set of friends.
I could say that Sablayan and I practically grew
up together. I have been a living witness of how
the rough and dusty roads were transformed into
smooth and long highways. I have seen how the seaport
have developed through the years. I even see how
the Mangyans became acculturated with the lowland
community; I even remember seeing a lady Mangyan
buying astringent and facial creams in a local pharmacy
(believe it or not).
Since I was young I would always look forward going
to Sablayan because of the beaches (even if I don’t
know how to swim) and the fields (even if I always
ended up complaining because of the insect bites
I get). I would start packing my things weeks before
my summer or Christmas vacation. I am always proud
of my mom’s hometown, my second home. Until
now, I would always invite friends and new acquaintances
to go there.
Sablayan is one of the key municipalities
of Occidental Mindoro. It is the biggest municipality
of the province and is strategically located at
the heart of the province. “The name
Sablayan was from an old Visayan term meaning
where the waves meet offering a haven
to seafarers seeking refuge during rough waters.
“ (Sablayan: Discover the Wonders.) From being
a 4th class municipality in 1989, Sablayan is now
a thriving 1st class municipality.
There are a lot of things to do in Sablayan. From
the mountains, to the fields, to the beaches and
then underwater, you’ll never fall short of
activities to do. Communing with nature and going
back to the past are one of the best experiences
the town can offer. Add to these the kind nature
and hospitality of the people.
The Mountains and the Lowland
A visit to Iglit- Baco Natural Park,
one of the four important Biodiversity sites in
Sablayan and home to the Mangyan Tribe and
biologically important flora and fauna notably the
Tamaraw, will make you commune with mother earth.
Cabacungan Lake and Falls will
enthrall you with its curtain-
like shower gushing from the sides of rock formation
into a stairways mini- fall and towards the still
lake. You can also experience the thrill of crossing
the hanging bridge in Barangay San Agustin,
a really breath-taking experience.
Libuao Lake is also another experience
you shouldn’t miss. It is situated inside
the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm. It is one of
the finest inland water in the country where one
can do fishing, bird watching, picnicking and canoeing.
I remember, few years ago when we visited there.
I met a pardoned man who chose to stay there and
become a sort-of receptionist in the huts near the
lake. We enjoyed fishing for our lunch and watching
the birds with the cool breeze of air from the mountain.
The place isn’t in any way near like a prison.
It looks like Erap’s place in Tanay, minus
the extravagant house and museum, when he was still
detained there. It only came to me that it was a
penal complex when we were about to go home. The
prisoners were begging us to bring their letters
for their loved ones and pleading for us to buy
their crafts to earn a little for their families.
The crafts that the prisoners did were really nice
that my mom ended up buying a big photo fan frame
and asked the convict to personalize it for us and
a wooden cane for my grandfather. It was an exhibit
of Filipino artistry.
A Blast from the Past
A visit to some old structures would give you a
look from the past. At the foot of a centennial
forest amidst the town proper, “Bayan Bundok,”
you can find the Lumang SImbahan,
a 16th century legacy of the Spanish Missionaries.
Another must see is the Parola
Park. It is a historic watchtower built
in 1861 against the pirates and intruders. You can
still find a light house and a canon in the park.
With the right spot in the park, you can see a breathtaking
view of two islands, Pandan 1 and 2, and the town.
I have visited this park at different times of the
day. During the afternoon, until about 4pm, the
air can be quite arid. The best time to visit the
place is at sunset when light gust of air embraces
you as you watch Mr. Sun waving goodbye.
Sun, Sand, and Sea
My visit to Sablayan is never complete
without playing with the sand and swimming in the
sea. I have always liked the beach in Sablayan even
when I don’t really know how to swim; when
all I can do is to wait for the waves to splash
on my body. Being a “water baby,” I
have always enjoyed playing in the water.
About two years ago, I joined an organization that
taught me how to swim and do skindiving.
That was the time when I started exploring the underwater
wealth of the town that I have always loved. I have
brought skindiving friends to the beaches and every
dive is a new adventure.
Photo by Ayin © 2006
I have explored Pandan Grande Island
with friends. The island is just a 15- to 20 –
minute boat ride from the mainland. It is one of
the Philippine’s best. The white beach is
surrounded by palms and unspoilt forest. You can
find your own spot in the island, as if you are
the only one there. I can describe the island as
quiet and solemn. The underwater scenery around
the island is as great as the view in the island.
A few meters from the shore, at less than one meter
deep, you can start seeing the rich marine environment
Different species of fish, sea turtles, stingrays
are just few of what lies beneath. With a few minutes
of stay in the water, you can watch a big sea turtle
eat, get air from the surface and play with other
marine creatures- a truly unique experience. School
of big triggerfish, lionfish and even barracudas
roam around the waters surrounding the island.
Pandan Grande Island is a gateway to Apo
Reef Natural Park (APNR), another natural
wealth of Sablayan. APNR is the largest atoll like
reef in the country. I have been to this island
several times with family and friends but it never
fails to awe me in my every visit. With it’s
crystalline blue waters, it feels like looking down
a big aquarium.
Apo reef has three islands: Apo Island, Apo Menor,
and Cayos del Bajo all of which have white sandy
beaches. A tour of the mangrove forest and lagoon
located in the middle of Apo Island is a must if
you are there. For the thrill seekers, do not forget
to have a 360-degree view of the island from the
tall lighthouse; it is a very exciting and at the
same time, relaxing experience. Apo reef is also
home to a rich flora and fauna. It is a haven for
divers and nature lovers - different marine species
and shipwrecks lie underwater. On the other hand,
migratory birds in the island await for their spectators-
a delight for bird watchers.
Whether you like it on top of the mountains, in
the fields, along the coasts, underwater, or simply
mingling with the natives, Sablayan has an amazing
experience to offer. I have been to this town several
times but in every visit, a new adventure welcomes
me... It has always something different to offer.
Your adventures here are waiting… TARA
NA.
-----------------------------
Getting There:
There are two options to get to Sablayan- by Air
and by Sea.
You can reach Sablayan by air via Manila- San Jose
flights serviced by Air Philippines and Asian Spirit
Airlines. From San Jose, you can take a jeep or
a bus for a 2- to 3- hour ride to Sablayan. Small
chartered planes could also land directly in Sablayan.
A more leisurely trip, which I also recommend, is
by sea. Daily roll- on- roll- off (Ro-Ro) route
from batangas to Abra de Ilog is serviced by shipping
lines in Batangas City Port. The boat ride takes
about 2 ½ hours. From Abra de Ilog, you may
take a bus, jeep or van going to Sablayan.
If you are a group of at 7- 12, renting a van to
Sablayan is a more reasonable option. There are
a lot of Lodgings and Inns available in the town
proper. Ecological Tour Packages are available in
the Town’s Tourism Office at very reasonable
prices. You can e- mail them at ecotourism_sablayan_occmdo@yahoo.com.
Text and photos by Teddie
Mateo © 2006 and 2007
Teddie is a YTRiP volunteer. A photographer and skindiver,
she is also involved in community work. She is, just
as everyone in YTRiP, passionate about the Philippines.
