source: mb.com.ph
MANILA, Philippines- When 16th-century Spanish navigators found a secure mooring for their ships against storms in the coves of northern Mindoro island, they named it Puerto Galera to mean “port of galleons”.
Not only did the Spaniards find a safe harbor, but also a rich marine sanctuary which will be one of the country’s beach hotspots and diving havens centuries later.
Over the centuries, the town of Puerto Galera provided a safe harbor for merchant ships and a playground for yachtsmen and sports sailors.
Because of its innate charm, it was later named by the UNESCO as a “Man and Biosphere Reserve” in the 1970s and declared “One of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World” by a Paris-based UNESCO-sanctioned organization in 2005.
The award was given because of its natural beauty, diverse marine life, rich cultural heritage and vital economic contribution. The Bay is sanctuary to 152 coral species and 19 mangrove species in the country, and nine out of 16 seagrass species in the world.
To celebrate the town’s enduring charm and take pride of its cultural and natural heritage, the Municipal Council mandated the holding of the De Galera Festival in 2008.
According to Mayor Hubbert Dolor, this week’s four-day festival offered programs and activities that showcased the natural allure of Puerto Galera and further promoted its tourism industry.
He said that the event also focused on the unique character of its people as the town retraces its roots. Environmental preservation was also emphasized along with the municipal government’s implementation of programs in line with the environmental users’ fee to make tourism development sustainable.
Dolor said that aside from its fine beaches and dive sites, the town also boasts of the picturesque waterfalls, most notably Tamaraw Falls, and the Excavation which boasts of centuries-old jars and implements.
Puerto Galera is also known for its Mangyan indigenous settlements, majestic viewpoints, the mountain-top Ponderosa Golf Course, and scores of coves and beaches each with a unique characteristic.
A new hotspot is Mount Malasimbo which recently hosted a world music festival combining music and nature.
The festivities opened with a street festival showcasing the native and contemporary dances of the townsfolk including the indigenous Mangyans. Barangay booths were also set up to showcase the unique products of each village.
Local artists took center stage in the painting contest themed “Puerto Galera: The Beauty Untouched, One of the World’s Most Beautiful Bay” as they bested each other in depicting the town’s natural beauty on canvas.
A Palarong Bayan was staged that revived native sports such as kadang kadang, palosebo, paluan ng palayok, sack race, habulan ng biik, hilahan ng lubid (tug of war), bangkarera and a lot more.
The First Doc Dolor Shoot Fest fired off with Mayor Dolor, a former shooting champion himself, firing the first rounds. Crowned Princesa del Rio, Princesa del Montana, Princesa del Mar, and the first ever Reyna de Galera paraded in the city streets.
The third day saw the Parada de Grande showcasing local barangay charmers in the traditional Santacruzan Grande de Galera. The festivities drew to a close with a Holy Mass and fluvial procession at Muelle Bay to mark the feast of the Our Lady of Fatima.
source: mb.com.ph
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