Celina

Great Journeys, Greater Destinations! Take your first stop here! This Philippine travel and tourism site will guide you in your smooth-sailing adventure to your dream vacation spot. With the multitude of tourist destinations within your reach, there is surely a place that will suit your interest and budget. So pack your bags now. Travel... Marvel!

Vigattin Insurance

Celina Guanzon

Lubang Group of Islands


on November 11, 2014

Lubang Island

Occidental Mindoro is a province of unparalleled natural beauty, and this can be seen in the Lubang Group of Islands, an archipelago of fantastic beaches and crystal blue sea in the northwest of the northern end of Mindoro.  

The four main islands of Lubang Group of Islands are Cabra Island, separated by a deep, three-kilometer-wide channel from Lubang Island, then Ambil Island and finally Golo Island. The three smaller islands are Talinas Island, Malavatuan Island and Mandaui Island.

1. Cabra Island is mostly wooded and about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long, rising to a height of about 60 metres (200 ft). It has a lighthouse at the northwest end of the island.

2. Lubang Island is about 125 square kilometres (48 sq mi), being over 25 kilometres (16 mi) in length and up to 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) wide.

3. Ambil Island is an extinct volcanic island rising to over 760 metres (2,490 ft) and is about 26 square kilometres (10 sq mi) in area.[1] During the earlier part of the Spanish Colonial Era, Ambil was reported to be in eruption. But when it was climbed by German scientist Carl Semper in the latter part of 19th century, he found no evidence that it has erupted in historical times.

4. Golo Island is long, narrow and flat lying, and is about 26 square kilometres (10 sq mi) in area.

History

The islands were originally settled by Visayan peoples starting about 30,000 years ago. By 1900 the islands were inhabited by both Tagalog and Visayan peoples. The Spanish built a fort on Lubang Island, the San Vicente Bastion, on the western point of the entrance to Port tilig.

Lubang's recent history includes the curious story of Hiroo Onoda, a former army intelligence officer who was one of the last Japanese soldiers to surrender after World War II. He hid in the jungles of Lubang Island when the Allies reclaimed the Philippines, and engaged in continuous guerilla warfare against the United States and later against Philippine Commonwealth troops and paramilitary police, refusing to believe the war was over. He was officially relieved of duty in 1974, 29 years after the end of World War II.

How to get there

From Batangas, ferries are available most days of the week with routes to Lubang Island and take around six or so hours.

Closest Accommodations found in Puerto Galera

•  Utopia Resort & Spa - Palangan, Palangan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
•  Mermaid Resort - Sabang Beach Puerto Galera, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
•  The Manor at Puerto Galera - Brgy Sto Nino, Sto. Nino, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
•  Waimea Luxury Houses - El Galleon Dive Resort Annex - Small La Laguna Beach, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
•  El Galleon Dive Resort with Asia Divers - Small La Laguna Beach, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
•  Sunset at Aninuan Beach Resort - Aninuan, Puerto Galera, Aninuan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
•  Marco Vincent Dive Resort - Oriental Mindoro, White Beach, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
•  Redsun Dive Resort - Small Lalaguna, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
•  Sabang Oasis Resort - Sabang Beach Central, Oriental Mindoro, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
• Dolphinbay Beachfront & Dive Resort - Barangay Palangan, Puerto Galera, Palangan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203