Where the Heck is Marinduque?: Marinduque Island, Philippines-My Second Home

Planning to Visit the Philippines Soon?

There are hundreds of tourists attractions in the Philippines. But as a lover of the Island of Marinduque (Home of the Morions and Heart of the Philippines), I am indeed partial to its beauty, charm and its friendly and hospitable residents. Therefore, help me achieve my dream of seeing this island becomes a world tourist destination, by telling all your friends and relatives about this site. Welcome, to you all, new readers and faithful followers of this site! The photo above is Poctoy White Beach in Torrijos, Marinduque with beautiful and majestic Mt Malindig in the background. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringing your copyrights.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Marinduque Island, Philippines-My Second Home

Postard from Marinduque-Would this postcard not encourage sex tourism in the Philippines?

Marinduque-our second home was chosen by the Philippines Tourism Congress as the Island destination for 2013 just recently. This is indeed good news. If you have been following my blogs, I had indicated that seeing Marinduque become a tourist destination worldwide is one of my dreams and goals after my retirement. Thus, I have been blogging about Marinduque after my retirement in 2002. The article below is an article published by the Tourism Congress of the Philippines-a private organization.(www.philippinetourismcongress.com )

Chateau Du Mer Sign from the Beach

"The Island of Marinduque is covered in a forest of green. An idyllic poster province for eco-tourism, Marinduque is an example how beautiful and scenic an island can be when it is not over developed. Rising from an environmental disaster of a mining accident, Marinduque is set to become a major tourist destination.

Marinduque is a safe and peaceful place. Traveling around Marinduque, one cannot miss the welcoming smile of its people. Getting lost is next to impossible as a helping hand is always nearby to guide you to your intended destination. The jails are almost empty for the lack of criminality in the island.

The circumferential coastal roads of the islands are cemented and well maintained, making going around the island pleasurable. The public transport consists mainly of jeepneys and tricycles but air-conditioned vans are available for hire.

Being a net producer of agricultural products, the prices of food in Marinduque is lower compared to the Luzon mainland. Cows, goats and chicken in considerable quantity can be seen in the fields all over the island. The wet markets are full of sea food in their freshest state".

Indeed, I am so delighted to read this news. It is more Fun in the Philippines! For more information about Marinduque, visit my blog at http://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com or at http://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com

ABOUT ME

I am a retired (Chemistry Team Leader from USFDA) Filipino-American who loves writing, gardening and photography. My wife (of 58 years) and I enjoy the snowbird lifestyle between the US and the Philippines. We have a small but very private beach resort( see above video) in the beautiful island of Marinduque, Philippines. I have several blog sites(ten), a personal blog, blogs about retiring in Marinduque and our beach resort and conference center-CHATEAU DU MER. I also write for www.squidoo.com now owned by HubPages.com

Marinduque: A Photogenic Province and Tourists Destination

Marinduque is a photoblogger dream. The province is endowed with unspoiled white sand beaches, pristine blue waters, fringing reefs, virgin coral reefs, coves, limestone caves, meandering rivers, mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls and streams, fabled sulfur and hot mineral springs,old churches and of course beautiful sunsets. The Internet is filled with photographs of the scenic beauty of this island not only from the local professional photographers but also from amateur photographers all over the world. The province has more than six big islands popular to beach lovers, scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. It has Mt Malindig known to mountain climbers and hikers. It has Bathala and Tarug Caves popular to spelunkers and just curious seekers. In one of the eight caves of Bathala, there is a resident python, believed to be enchanted. If he shows himself when you visit the caves, it is suppose to bring you good luck.

Sunset over Tres Reyes Islands- Photo from panoramnio.com The nearest and most accessible islands from the capital town of Boac are the Tres Reyes Islands ( Islands of the Three Kings), Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar in the town of Gasan. The local names are Laki, Pangkog and Man-nga ( see map above). These islands are located southwest of the mainland. The other three group of islands bigger in area and more populated are Polo, Maniwaya and Mongpong Islands. These are located in the Northeast part of the mainland in the town of Santa Cruz. Maniwaya's Polo Maria White Beach is being develop as an alternative to Boracay. There is a bigger island, Salamongue Island which is not as well known to the tourists and residents.. I really do not know the reason, but I believe it is not as accessible from the mainland . Moreover, it is not as developed( no electricity or running water) compared to the other islands.

One of the most popular white beach located in the mainland in the town of Torrijos is Poctoy White Beach. It is about a 70 minutes drive from downtown Boac. Poctoy White beach with Mt, Malindig as the background is the most photogenic and the most photographed scenery in the island.

Just late last year, the former Elephant Island in Lipata, Buenavista, owned privately, was renamed Bellarocca Resort Island and Spa. It has been converted to look like Santorini Island, Greece with buildings all painted in white sticking in the cliffs. From what I heard, this resort is one of the most expensive and luxurious resort in Southeast Asia. The cheapest room charges $300 per night excluding meals and other amenities. When I was in Marinduque last year, I met a few rich and famous Filipinos( businessmen, actors and actresses, TV personalities)) from Manila as well as Korean and Japanese tourists at Masiga Airport in Gasan on their way to the resort. From the resort advertisement, I know that the most expensive accommodation is a 3-bedroom villa with its own pool and jacussi charging about $ 800 per night without meals. Dong Ho, Oggie Ramos, Ferdz Decena, Allan Barredo, Sydney Snoeck and Dennis Villegas are some of the photographers that I know who have photo blogs about Marinduque. Their pictures are beautiful, unique and mesmerizing. It is worth your time to visit their photo blogs sites. Looking at their photographs of Marinduque, its Tradition and Culture will surely make you proud of the beauty of our island paradise.