The Island of "Mina de Oro" . Legend has it that long before the Spaniards discovered the Philippines, Mindoro was already among the islands that enchanted pilgrims from other countries. It was said that vast wealth was buried in the area, and mystic temples of gold and images of anitos bedecked the sacred grounds of this relatively unknown land. The Spaniards even named the island "Mina de Oro", believing it had large deposits of gold.
Mindoro, which was formerly integrated into the province of Bonbon (Batangas) together with Marinduque, was made a separate province in the beginning of the seventeenth century. The island was divided into pueblos headed by gobernadorcillo and composed of several barangays headed by cabeza de barangay.
The evangelization of Mindoro started in 1572 through the Augustinians. In 1578 the Franciscans took over and ten years later the secular priests.
Mindoro was first discovered by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the first Spanish Governor General of the Philippines.
After World War II, reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure and economy took place which ended with the division of the island into two provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro on June 13, 1950. It was finally signed into law through Republic Act 505 by the President of the Philippines on November 15, 1950.
The island provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan formed in early 1996 a new socio-economic aggrupation acronymed as MIMAROPA.
Oriental Mindoro - Two Congressional District - 14 Municipalities - 426 Barangays - One Component City
Oriental Mindoro has a rugged terrain and an irregular coastline. Numerous rivers and streams traverse the province but none are navigable by large vessels.
The Province is 1.5% of total land area of the country and 16% of MIMAROPA Region (4,364.72 square kilometers)
7,971.39 hectares is the total MPA (Marine Protected Area) of Oriental Mindoro.
844,059 Population of Oriental Mindoro (2015)
There are two climate types: Type I and Type III. Type I is characterized by two pronounced seasons, dry and wet; and Type III has no pronounced season, relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.
There are 7 Tribes of Mangyan in Oriental Mindoro. They are ALANGAN, BANGON, BUHID, HANUNUO, IRAYA, TADYAWAN and TAU-BUHID
In the seventeenth century did a new phase in Christianization begin for the Mangyans were likewise visited by missionaries. It was in these settlements that Mangyans from the inaccessible forests and hills were induced to settle down and be baptized as Christians.
Oriental Mindoro - is the Calamansi King of the Philippines and MIMAROPA - Banana King of MIMAROPA Region
18, 174 is the number of Registered Fisherfolks in the province.
The Tamaraw or Mindoro dwarf buffalo is a small hoofed mammal belonging to the family Bovidae. It is endemic to the island of Mindoro.
Mount Halcon is the highest mountain in the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, with an elevation of 2,586 metres above sea level. It is the 18th-highest peak in the Philippines and 37th-highest peak of an island on Earth.
PANDANG GITAB or The Festival Of Lights - Every 3rd Saturday of February.
Its name was coined from Pandanggo sa Ilaw (Fandango), a popular dance
that originated from Oriental Mindoro and had its dancers balancing oil
lamps called tinghoy or candles in glasses on their heads and on the back
of each extended hand, and from Dagitab, a local word which means ‘light.’
There are 112 Provincial Bridges and 95 National Bridges in Oriental Mindoro.
Oriental Mindoro has 3 existing Airports. (Wasig, Pinamalayan and Calapan Airport)
The Province has 2 Major Seaports. Located in Calapan City and Roxas)
