SUBIC BEACH RESORT IN MATNOG, SORSOGON

The pinkish beach sand of Subic Daco

I had heard about the pink sand beach of Subic Beach for quite some time already. It was only when I joined my officemates on a land trip back to Manila from Leyte that I decided we should take the opportunity to visit Subic Beach.

We left Palo at 4:30 in the morning in the hope of catching an early boat trip to Matnog. The FastCat, the fastest RORO vessel plying the Matnog–Allen route, however, only had scheduled trips at 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. bound for Matnog. We arrived in Allen at around 10:30 a.m. and proceeded to the Sta. Clara Port in Jubasan, Allen. The King Frederick RORO was already loading vehicles for the crossing to Matnog, so we immediately secured our tickets. Still, the vessel departed only shortly before noon after waiting more than an hour for the ferry to fill up with cars.

We finally arrived in Matnog at around 1:30 in the afternoon. From there, we went to the tourism office to ask how we could get to Subic Beach. Since it was already past noon, the staff advised us that a day tour would no longer be practical because all boats had to return to Matnog by 5:00 p.m. They suggested that we stay overnight instead.

We first looked for a carinderia where we could have lunch. While we were eating, Fr. Philippe, the Chancellor of Sorsogon, called and told us to proceed to the parish convento because the assistant parish priest had already managed to secure accommodations for us. After our hurried lunch, we went to meet Fr. Ed, who had just finished celebrating a funeral Mass. He informed us that he had successfully reserved the last two available rooms in one of the resorts at Subic Beach.

We later learned that, upon hearing of our arrival from Fr. Philippe, Fr. Ed had contacted the town mayor to request permission for the parish boat to bring us to Subic. The mayor initially granted permission, but when the Coast Guard was consulted, the request was denied because a private boat had capsized on the way to Subic Beach just a week earlier. Since the mayor had already given his approval, he instead graciously paid for the rental of a licensed tourist boat for our island-hopping trip.

Subic Beach is located on Calintaan Island which is just thirty minutes away from Matnog port. The island has two coves: Subic Daco and the smaller nearby cove known as Subic Liit. The sand truly has a pinkish hue, while the waters in the main cove are remarkably clear. Around Dulay’s Place, however, the shoreline is rocky and filled with corals, which perhaps explains why sharks are often seen in that part of the island.

  

With Fr. Ed (in yellow shirt) who arranged for our trip to the Subic Beach. 

At the port, several accredited boats were lined up to ferry tourists around Subic. After registering, we were immediately ushered to our boat. Our first stop was the Juag Lagoon Marine Sanctuary, where we were able to feed enormous fish kept within a large enclosure inside the lagoon.

At the sanctuary, visitors can either ride a bamboo raft to a wooden feeding platform or swim directly with the fish. After the feeding activity, we were allowed to snorkel among large marine species such as lapu-lapu, parrotfish, longfin batfish, talakitok, bangus, and the largest fish I saw there—the napoleon wrasse locally called mameng. The sanctuary also featured lobsters, starfish, giant clams, and pineapple sea cucumbers. One interesting rule was that snorkeling was prohibited for anyone wearing sunblock, presumably to protect the marine environment. There was a separate fee of ₱200 per boat for fish feeding and another ₱200 per person for snorkeling.

While we were snorkeling, a sudden downpour caught us by surprise. Rather than spoiling the experience, it added a certain thrill and excitement to it. Only after the rain had stopped did we proceed to Subic Beach itself. There was supposed to be another stop at a cave, but the waves had already become rough by late afternoon, making the visit unsafe.

The first stop was the Juag Lagoon where big fishes are kept. 

The entrance to the Juag Lagoon

We were billeted at Dulay's Place in Subic Daco, situated at the quieter end of the cove, away from the cluster of resorts near the center. With the help of the caretaker, we were able to order supper from the main cove area, which he kindly brought over to our seaside cottage.

At night, the entire cove was beautifully illuminated by solar-powered lamp posts scattered around the shoreline. Later in the evening, the owner of the resort brought us to a nearby embankment where, to our amazement, we could see small sharks swimming in the shallow waters close to the rocks.

Dulay's Place in Subic Daco

One the sharks we could see swimming on the shallow waters just below the embankment by Dulay's Place. 

The cove at Subic Daco is well lighted in the evening. 

The pinkish sand of Subic beach

The cottages at the center of the cove in Subic Beach

Subic Liit

CHURCHES IN OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

Got a full week of vacation and I decided to spend that time exploring the island of Mindoro. Since I heard that the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Mindoro Oriental have already good roads, I decided to bring along my car so that we could just go driving around the island.  Aside from visiting the churches in the island and go to some beaches,  the highlight of the trip would be a visit to  the famous Apo Reef in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro which is considered as Asia’s largest atoll-like reef second only to the Great Barrier reef in Australia and perhaps be able to camp and dive there.  Our plan was to go first to Occidental Mindoro by taking the ferry from Batangas to Abra de Ilog on a Monday. We would go around the province of Occidental Mindoro and end up in Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro and take the ferry from Calapan back to Batangas and Manila on a Sunday.

Our trip however  started two days earlier on a Saturday with a diving trip to Anilao in Batangas.  I had read that if one wants to go diving in Apo reef one must first have a predive if one has not dived for more than a year.  We went to the Planet Dive in Brgy. Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas and spent the day there. I had two dives. Stayed overnight in Batangas City and concelebrated the Palm Sunday mass at the Immaculate Conception Church of Batangas City. Since we still had some time to kill, we went around to visit some churches in Batangas that Sunday.

Our ferry to Abra de Ilog left Batangas at 6:00 in the morning.  The boat ride lasted for two and a half hours.  The fare for the car was 1,872 including the driver and 260 for the passengers. The roads in Occidental Mindoro were indeed newly cemented.  We had an enjoyable ride. We met very few cars along the way, a very refreshing sight away from the heavy traffic in Manila.  The first church that we visited was that of Abra de Ilog.  The parish priest was not there as he was still having a station of the cross on the mountain near the town that was newly installed by the local government unit. The staff at the convento said that it takes about four hours to finish the station as the last station is already at the peak of the mountain. We were invited for snacks by the convento staff.  A sight that I saw for the first time was the Pabasa that was being done by the side of the church. Some women were singing and chanting the Pabasa that they were reading from a booklet.  The Pabasa is a poetical rendition of the life and death of our Lord in Tagalog.

After Abra de Ilog, we passed by Mamburao.  We went first to their Capitol which was in the interior part of the town.  Then we passed by their church which was being reconstructed. 

They were making it for two floors the lower portion being offices.

The next church we passed by was  in Sta. Cruz which was just newly built. They had an ongoing solicitation drive to get five million for the ceiling. The old church which has not been demolished was now blocking the view from the road.

By lunchtime, we arrived in Sablayan, our destination for the day. We had lunch at Mylits bar and resto which was near the river by the market side. It would be from here that we will be taking our boat ride for the island of Pandan where we will stay overnight.  Our boat to Pandan, Bblyn was just on standby nearby. After lunch we visited first the church and made also a courtesy call on the parish priest,  Fr Arnel.  Told him we were going to Pandan for overnight and planned to go to Apo reef the following day. Just in case we could not go to Apo reef, I asked if we could stay at the convent the following day which he readily accented.  

Pandan island is a snorkelers paradise with beautiful corals and fishes and sea turtles and even stingrays. (See separate post for Pandan Island here: http://beachanatic.blogspot.com/2016/04/pandan-island-resort.html). The following day we were also able to go to the world famous Apo Reef and had the great time snorkeling. We camped there overnight under a bright moonlit night. (See separate post for Apo reef here: http://beachanatic.blogspot.com/2016/04/apo-reef-natural-park-in-sablayan.html )

After coming back from Apo reef we passed by the convento in Sablayan where we took our  showers and some snacks prepared by the parish priest. We bought some souvenir shirts at the town and then we left for San Jose.  About ten kilometers   of the road from Sablayan to San Jose was not yet cemented but construction was already going on.

         We arrived by 7:30 in the evening in San Jose and met our host for the evening, Willy Enriquez who is also a good friend of the bishop of San Jose. Willy called up Bp. Palang who was in his residence. Paid the bishop a visit that night. We were billeted in a studio room owned by Willy Enriquez. He said that the room is also being used by a priest who is assigned in one of the islands when he comes to town. 

The following morning after breakfast we made a courtesy call on the parish priest and Vicar General of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, Fr. Carl Dimaano.  After going around the Cathedral, Willy also toured us around the town. Then we left to continue our journey to Oriental Mindoro where we will spend the Paschal Triduum. The last church of Occidental Mindoro that we passed by was in the town of Magsaysay.

The Ferry boat that we took from Batangas to Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. 

SAN RAFAEL PARISH

ABRA DE ILOG, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

The parish church of Abra de Ilog.

A simple altar with just a crucifix in the middle. 

There were some women doing the Pabasa by the side of the church. It would be my first time to witness a Pabasa.

A closer look at the book that they would read for the Pabasa. 

Being summer already, there were lots of corn that were being dried out on the highway. 

A few of the rice fields that were being harvested along the way. 

This time the corn were being dried not on the highway itself. 

NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL PILAR PARISH CHURCH

MAMBURAO, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

The church of Mamburao was being totally reconstructed when we passed by. The church had two levels, the lower level being the offices and the church was above. 

Ongoing reconstruction of the parish church of Mamburao. 

We passed by the Capitol of Occidental Mindoro found in Mamburao which is the capital of the province. 

HOLY CROSS PARISH CHURCH

STA. CRUZ, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

The church of Sta. Cruz was just newly constructed. The old church which was not yet demolished was in front obstructing the view of the new church. 

Inside the church of Sta. Cruz. 

A fund raising campaign was being done to raise five million for the construction of the ceiling. 

The road from Sta. Cruz to Sablayan. 

The Mylits Bar and Grill in Sablayan where we took our lunch. 

An inland body of water just in front of the town poblacion near the market of Sablayan. Just further up the river goes out already to the sea. Only small boats are docked here as the main pier of the town is found in another area. 

A suspension bridge for pedestrians only lets people cross to the other side of the town which is already fronting the sea. 

SAN SEBASTIAN PARISH CHURCH

SABLAYAN, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

The parish church of Sablayan. 

Inside the church of Sablayan. 

The Catholic school in Sablayan.

The port area of Sablayan where big boats can dock is found in another part of the town. 

Near the port of Sablayan. 

The Sablayan pier. 

A bas relief mural found near the municipal hall of Sablayan. 

ST. JOSEPH CATHEDRAL

SAN JOSE, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

The Cathedral of St. Joseph in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

With our host in San Jose, Willy Enriquez. 

Making a courtesy call to the parish priest and Vicar General of  the Apostolate Vicariate of  San Jose,Occidental Mindoro, Fr. Carl Dimaano. 

Inside the Cathedral. 

Ten months later in February 2016, the ceiling of the Cathedral was already gilded with gold.

This was taken during the formal reception of the new Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, the Most Rev. William Antonio last February 12, 2016. 

A side altar with the tomb of the former bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate. 

The tabernacle is found in the side altar. 

The tomb of Most Rev. Vicente Manuel, the first Apostolic Vicar of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. 

The Adoration Chapel of the Cathedral. 

After seven years when I attended the sacerdotal ordination of Rev. Roy Panes on February 8, 2023, the Cathedral altar had further embellishments. Instead just of a crucifix, there was already a beautiful retablo. 

The convento of the Cathedral. 

PAROKYA NG MABUTING PASTOL

MAGSAYSAY, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

The parish church of Magsayay, Occidental Mindoro.

Inside the church. 

An onion plantation in Mindoro. 

Some ricefields in the Mindoro. 

Another onion plantation. 

St. Michael Parish, Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro

A simple crucifix in the dome face altar. Plans to put up a retablo was already advertised in front of the church when we visited last February 25, 2023. 

The convento of the Calintaan parish at the back of the church had this large acacia tree in front which added a sense of beauty to this convento. 

St. Joseph the Spouse Parish, 

Central, San Jose Occidental Mindoro

This parish church which is also located in San Jose is sometimes confused with the Cathedral Church which also has the same patron saint. The Cathedral however, is named St. Joseph the Worker while this one in Central, San Jose is St. Joseph the Spouse Parish. 

The parochial school, Holy Family Academy was right beside the parish church of St. Joseph the Spouse Parish.  

Sto. Niño de Manoot Parish, Manoot, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro

This parish was for a number of years being administered by Rev. Roy Panes whose ordination I came to attend. He started building this church from the small barangay chapel that was in place before. 

This mountain is what welcomes you when you enter the Manoot.  

Santo Niño Chaplaincy, Magbay, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro 

This Chaplaincy was also being administered by Rev. Roy as the parish priest just passed away.  He also started another construction to expand the small chapel. 

One of the sights along the road in going to Manoot was this picturesque mountain range which was called Devils Mountain but which others would also call as the Angels Mountain. 

Divine Mercy Parish, Murtha, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

The main attraction of the new church is the mural painting on the altar. 

The parish priest of Murtha was my former student in Canon Law and the present Chancellor of the Apostolic Vicariate. 

Chair of St. Peter Parish, San Pedro, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro

The main parish church of the town of Rizal is about four kilometers away from the town proper. It is in fact located in another barangay of San Pedro.  Although along the highway, it sits in the middle of some rice field.  I was told that they decided to build the main parish church here as the town proper is situated inland and the present site is ideally located as it is accessible to all the other barangays.  The parish is run by the SVD priests.