THE BEACHES OF SAN JOSE, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

Just across the town of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro is the island of Ilin.  The island still belongs to San Jose. It has ten barangays and with the nearby Ambulong island it has now become a parish with the parish church found in Iling Proper. It has become famous as this is where Fr. Fernando Suarez, the healing priest was assigned by the Bp. Palang  and where he built a beautiful church made of bricks courtesy of DMCI.  I was told that there are good number of beautiful coves and beaches around the island but the most famous one is in Inasakan.  The beach has a very fine almost powdery white sand, much finer than Boracay. It has very clear waters but a bit cold for swimming. Perhaps it was because of the almost clayish sand that instead of reflecting the sun, the heat would penetrate it leaving the water cold. 

I got to visit the island when I happened to be invited for the sacerdotal ordination of a friend in San Jose. It was the first ordination in seven years in the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose. I told my friend that I would like to visit the island as I was not able to go there when I went around the island of Mindoro in 2016. He right away contacted the parish priest of Ilin who made available to me their boat that would pick me up in San Jose the day after the ordination. Upon arriving in Ilin Proper where the parish church is situated and a short tour around the parish church, we right away took the boat to go to another part of the island in Inasakan where their most beautiful beach is found. 

Maniraga Beach Resort, Inasakan, Ilin Island,  San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Santisima Quasi Parish, Iling Proper, Ilin Island of San Jose

Flanking the tabernacle are hand painted icons of the twelve apostles which were imported from Jerusalem. 

The old chapel of the Iling Proper just beside the new church. 

The painting of the Holy Trinity in the old chapel is said to be miraculous that many would come to the island for pilgrimage. 

A spectacular sunset in Ilin island. 

Manadi Island in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

On our way back to San Jose, we passed by this islet and a sand bar. 

Just a few minutes away from the pier in San Jose is this island called Manadi and other times just called White Island. The place is good for snorkeling as there are good corals that can be seen. 

Bahura Reef/ Sandbar in San Jose

Just a few minutes away from White island is this sandbar called Bahura Reef.  

ANOTHER TRIP TO ANTIQUE

In preparation for the bishops’ retreat and plenary assembly in Kalibo, together with Fr. Bryand, the Asst. Secgen and Fr. Edgar, in-charge of the CBCP Pension Plan we conducted last week an ocular visit to the venue upon the invitation of Bishop Cor Talaoc of Kalibo. Our team stayed at the Marzon Hotel, which will also serve as the venue for the retreat and assembly. During our visit, we met with Bishop Talaoc, the organizing priests, and the hotel owner to secure their support and commitment to this significant gathering of all the bishops of the Philippines.

After completing the meetings in Kalibo, we traveled to Antique at the invitation of Bishop Marvyn Maceda of San Jose de Antique. Our first stop was the Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort in Sitio Malumpati, Guia, Pandan. After a refreshing dip in the cold spring, we visited the Parish Church of Pandan, which I had only passed by on a previous trip. This time, I ensured a proper visit. We spent the night at the Esprutingkle Business Hotel in San Jose de Buenavista.

The following day, we explored San Remigio, starting with Eden Park de Aningalan, a newly opened resort offering stunning mountain views and a suspension bridge. We then visited the Igbaclag Cave and Danao Lake. In the afternoon, we enjoyed the relaxing kawa hot bath in Tibiao, followed by a boat ride to Mararison Island, where we stayed overnight at the Blue Lagoon Resort. The next morning, we hiked to Mararison’s mountain peak, admired the panoramic views, and swam in the island’s pristine waters.

By midday, we returned to the mainland for lunch at the Culasi convent, generously prepared by the parish priest at Bishop Marvyn’s request. Later, we headed back to San Jose de Buenavista for our evening departure from Iloilo. Before leaving, Bishop Marvyn accompanied us to Mary’s Cove, a boutique resort in Anini-y, about an hour from San Jose. The resort’s spacious grounds and serene seaside views, especially near the snack bar by the sea, were truly impressive.

On our way to Iloilo, we made a final stop at the Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort. We experienced the famous meditation tunnel, which leads through a dark labyrinth to a mountaintop adorned with white statues of angels and saints, a glorious cross, and an image of the Blessed Trinity—evoking a heaven-like experience. 

Meeting with Bp. Cor Tala-oc of Kalibo (right) with the owners of Marzon Hotel where the Bishops' retreat and plenary assembly will be held 

Kalibo Cathedral altar

Kalibo Cathedral

Malumpati Health Spring & Tourist Resort, Sitio Malumpati, Guia, Pandan, Antique

ST. VINCENT FERRER PARISH (F-1798)
Pandan, Antique

A suspension bridge at the Eden Park in Aningalan, San Remegio

Igbaclag Cave, Aningalan, San Remegio, Antique

Danao Lake, Aningalan, San Remegio, Antique

Tibiao Kaha Hot Bath

MARARISON ISLAND, CULASI

The sandbar at Mararison Island

ST. MICHAEL ARCHANGEL PARISH (F-1773)
Culasi, Antique

Bp. Marvyn Maceda of San Jose de Buenavista de Antique called the parish priest of Culasi to  prepare lunch for us after our trip to the Mararison Island. 

MARY'S COVE
Anini-y, Antique

With Bp. Marvyn and Fr. Gon of Antique at the Mary's Cove. 

Our last stop on the way to the Iloilo airport was the Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort in San Joaquin, Iloilo.