Last July 2016, we journeyed further to the Southern Tagalog Region and for the first time, set out at the western part of Mindoro island, the pristine province of Occidental Mindoro. A hearing at Mamburao, the capital of Occidental Mindoro, led us to this brief but exceptional trip.
From the bustling Batangas City Port, my husband and I rode a Montenegro Ro-Ro vessel bound to Abra de Ilog the day before my scheduled hearing. The ride on the way there is very much entertaining, with “foggy” islands and dolphins greeting us. But what struck me at first glance is the sight of the Port of Abra de Ilog. It’s a small port compared to the others, but charming nevertheless. The pictures that follow would speak for itself.
The sight of the port while aboard the ship.
The lighthouse at the port.
When we arrived at the port.
Abra de Ilog Port. The green bus is the Dimple Bus which transports passengers to different municipalities of Occidental Mindoro.
From the port, we rode a Dimple bus bound to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, which would pass by the capital town of Mamburao, our destination. I sat near the window and got amazed at the view of mountains, ricefields, and the wide, paved road. We got off at the national highway in Mamburao, right in front of the hotel reserved by our client for us, La Gensol Plaza Hotel.
After having snacks, hubby and I can’t help but take a walking tour around Mamburao. The air is so fresh, the roads wide and clean. We passed by the public market, a tourist inn, the local department store… There is no fast food chain or big malls. There is something serene about Mamburao, something that you would not expect in a capital town, which is usually congested with commercial buildings.
Mamburao at dusk.
The next day, after attending hearing at the Regional Trial Court, we took again a walking tour, this time around the Capitol Building compound. There are various government buildings surrounding the provincial capitolio. The compound is located at a vast area, so even though the government buildings are situated near each other, you would still walk quite a distance to get from one building to another. The capitolio is elevated among them all, the majestic of all buildings. In front of the capitol building, you would see two statues symbolizing the province’s pride: Mangyan on the left side, and Tamaraw on the right.
Tamaraw
The provincial capitol building of Occidental Mindoro
Giant clock on the local function hall
We also visited the Nuestra Senora del Pilar Parish Church, which is presently undergoing renovation. During provincial hearings, hubby and I make it a point to eat at the local restaurants, to drink coffee at the local coffee shops. In Mamburao, we got to eat at the two best restaurants in town, Maru’s Food Lounge and the restaurant of the hotel where we stayed. Both restaurants boast their own unique dishes, which left tourists like us yearning to return, just to taste again their meals and coffee.
at Maru’s Food Lounge
After having lunch, we hurried back to the hotel so that we can make it to the Abra de Ilog Port before 2:00 p.m. A Montenegro Ro-Ro vessel is already waiting when we arrived, ready to leave at two ‘o clock. In barely twenty-four hours, we are back again at the port where we had a first glimpse of the province. Brief as our stay was at Occidental Mindoro, we left without any burden of feeling that we went there for work purposes. It did not feel like it. It felt as if we went there seeking for solace and found it, and now coming back to the city feeling renewed and energized.
Montenegro Ro-Ro vessel bound to Batangas City Port
A Jurist's Life 