Region 4B

1. Philippine Culture,
Tourism & Geography
Region 4B – MIMAROPA
Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque,
Romblon, and Palawan.
By: Prof. Mary Kristine Laurilla, MBA

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Identify the location of the provinces
where tourist attractions are located on
the Philippine map.
• Identify the major gateways or entry points
into different provinces.
• Understand the political structures,
cultural, historical, religious, and
educational aspects of the provinces where
tourist attractions exist.

3. Is one of the
regions of the
Philippines.
It is one of two
regions of the
Philippines having
no land border
with another
region, Eastern
Visayas being the
other, and
designated as
Region 4B.
Region 4B – MIMAROPA
Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque,
Romblon, and Palawan.

4. ORIENTAL MINDORO – Calapan City

5. HISTORY OF ORIENTAL MINDORO
Known as the Pearl of
Mindoro, it is world-
famous for splendid
beaches, coral reefs,
and exquisite dive
sites for new and
experienced divers
alike. There are
shallow coral
gardens, interesting
rock formations, and
colorful species to
watch, like crabs,

6. HISTORY OF ORIENTAL MINDORO
Mangyan is the generic
name for the eight
indigenous groups
found on the island of
Mindoro, southwest of
the island of Luzon,
the Philippines, each
with its own tribal
name, language, and
customs. The total
population may be
around 280,000, but
official statistics
are difficult to
determine under the

7. MINDORO TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

8. Mount Halcon
Mount Halcon is one of the
most storied hiking
destination in the
Philippines located in
Oriental Mindoro. It is 8,
484 feet above sea level
making it the 18th highest
mountain peak in the
country.
If you are a serious
mountaineer, then climbing
the so-called “most
difficult mountain to climb
in the Philippines” would

9. Alibatan Island
Alibatan
Island is
located in
Bulalacao,
Oriental
Mindoro.
Alibatan
Island is
also called
as Target
Island
because
bombing

10. Buyayao Island
Buyayao Island is
the largest and
the most
beautiful island
in Oriental
Mindoro. It is
has a long
stretch of white
sand beach and
pristine waters.
It is a rocky
island with
tropical jungle,

11. Talipanan Beach
Talipanan Beach is
one of the most
popular tourist
spots in Oriental
Mindoro but is
less crowded than
that of White
Beach. It is a
long stretch of
white sand beach
and turquoise
green waters
fringed with

12. MARINDUQUE - Boac

13. HISTORY OF MARINDUQUE
Marinduque started as a
story of two lovers. The
only story is about its
ancient beginnings when
the Island was first
formed.
It was said that two
lovers went out to sea and
drowned for their love was
forbidden on land. The
earth felt so sorry for
the two lovers, that it
decided to leave a mark on
the place where they

14. MARINDUQUE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

15. Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary
The Marinduque Wildlife
Sanctuary was declared
as a protected land
area in 2004 under
Presidential
Proclamation No. 696.
Its forest watershed
encompasses the
municipalities of Boac,
Gasan, Buenavista,
Torrijos and Sta. Cruz.
The Marinduque Wildlife
Sanctuary is a must-

16. Boac Cathedral
Built as a fortress
in 1792, the Boac
Cathedral became a
relevant part of the
Marinduqueños
colorful history and
culture since its
construction in the
Spanish era. The
locals used it as a
hiding place during a
Moro attack in the
1800s. Consequently,

17. Tres Reyes Islands
Another postcard-worthy spot in Marinduque,
the Treys Reyes Islands, is nestled off the
coast of Gasan municipality. The jump-off
point is at Gasan port where tour boats await
passengers before heading to the neighboring
Three Kings islets, namely Melchor, Gaspar,
and Baltazar.

18. Mount Malindig
Majestically
standing on an
elevation of 1,157
meters above sea
level, Mount
Malindig is a
must-visit
Buenavista
Marinduque tourist
spot and is
considered the
highest peak in
the province. It

19. OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - Mamburao

20. HISTORY OF OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
Mindoro Island was
originally known to the
ancients as Ma-i. It was
formally called Mait,
and known to the Chinese
traders before the
coming of the Spanish.
Its existence was
mentioned in the old
Chinese chronicles in
775 A.D. and more
elaborately in 122.

21. HISTORY OF OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
The natives of
Mindoro were called
Manguianes by the
Spaniards. But the
natives refer to
themselves by their
ethnic or clan
identification. There
were seven such
ethnic or clan
distinctions, which
are differentiated by

22. OCCIDENTAL MINDORO TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS

23. Apo Reef
Apo Reef is one of the
best tourist spots in
Occidental Mindoro.
Recognized as the second-
largest contiguous reef
system in the world next
to Great Barrier Reef in
Australia, it is being
considered as the number
one dive site in the
Philippines. It is a 34-
kilometer reef system
divided into north and
south lagoon systems by a
narrow channel. Jellyfish,

24. Mount Iglit-Baco National Park
One of the most
visited tourist spots
in Occidental Mindoro
is the Mount Iglit-
Baco National Park.
It is a protected
area surrounding the
Mount Iglit and Mount
Baco located in the
central interior of
Mindoro. The park is
the habitat of the
endemic Tamaraw in
the Philippines, it
is currently one of

25. Calawagan Mountain Resort
It has a very clean
river called Canawagan
River which is the
main source of
freshwater in the
swimming pools. The
resort have picnic
grounds and barbecue
facilities. Cross on
the hanging bridge and
enjoy swimming in the
river or explore the
rock formations.

26. Pandan Island Resort
Pandan Island Resort
is one of the best
tourist spots in
Occidental Mindoro
and tourists keep
coming back to this
simple and beautiful
island. Aside from a
stretch of white sand
beach good for
swimming and coral
gardens perfect for
snorkeling, visitors

27. ROMBLON – Romblon City

28. HISTORY OF ROMBLON
Negritos and Mangyan
were believed to have
been the first
inhabitants of the
islands. Miguel de
Loarca visited the
island in 1582. It was
placed under the
jurisdiction of the
province of Ogton and
in 1716, when the
jurisdiction of Pan-ay
was created, Romblon

29. HISTORY OF ROMBLON
In 1635, Recollect
missionaries arrived in the
islands to established
Catholic missions and
thriving settlements.
Persistent Moro raids,
however, destroyed many
towns and brought their
residents into slavery.
This forced many towns to
construct protective
fortresses and massive
churches, as well as build
watchtowers to warn of
coming raiders. In 1753, a
large fleet of Moro slave-

30. HISTORY OF ROMBLON
Romblon was organized as a politico-military
comandancia in 1853. In 1901, it was
established as a separate province, but was
brought back under the jurisdiction of Capiz
in 1907. It became a separate province in
1917 through the passage of Act No. 2711 on
March 10.

31. ROMBLON TOURIST SPOT

32. Romblon Marble Quarry
Romblon is the 'Marble
Capital of the
Philippines' and is home
to a number of small
quarries and souvenir
shops selling hand-
crafted marble goods.
The majority of the
Romblon marble quarries
are found in the
northeastern areas of the

33. Guyangan Cave
It is believed to be the site of ancient
burial ceremonies and source of the “ikat” or
“banton burial cloth” considered the oldest
in Southeast Asia.

34. Fort San Andres
Fort San Andres is an iconic landmark and a
popular Romblon Island tourist spot for
people with an interest in history and
Spanish architecture dating as far back as
the 15th century.

35. Kipot River
The water is crystal
clear so you can easily
see the depth of Kipot
River making it easy to
see exactly where to
aim your jump. Once
you’re in the water,
it’s a short swim to
the end of the canyon
to a small waterfall
and you can spend some
time here exploring the
area.

36. Lighthouse Viewpoint
The Lighthouse Viewpoint
that I am talking about can
be found on the easternmost
tip of the island along
Lamao – Calabogo – Sablayan
Road. On a clear day,
you’ll also be able to spot
Sibuyan Island off in the
distance which is another
landmass that belongs to
the archipelago of islands
in the Romblon Province.

37. Mount Guiting-Guiting
Mt. Guiting-Guiting
stands at around 2,058
meters above sea level
in the heart of Sibuyan
Island. Guiting-Guiting
is the Romblomanon word
for "jagged," which
refers to the jagged
peaks on the mountain.
Due to its rocky
terrain, it is
classified by Filipino
hikers as one of the
toughest climbs in the
country as the trail to

38. PALAWAN – Puerto Princesa City

39. HISTORY OF PALAWAN
Evidence suggests
that the Tabganuas
and Palaw’ans people
descend from the
earliest settlers in
this province. During
the period of their
existence on the
province, they
created a form of
government, a trading
system with sea-borne
merchants, and even a

40. HISTORY OF PALAWAN
After the Philippine-
American war of 1902,
America established
civil rule in Northern
Palawan. They renamed
the province Paragua.
In 1903, the province
was reorganized to
include the southern
part of the province,
and it was renamed
Palawan with Puerto

41. PALAWAN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

42. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
A UNESCO World
Heritage Site, this
natural attraction
contains some of the
most impressive
marine biodiversity
in the world.
Strategically
positioned at the
heart of the Coral
Triangle, Tubbataha
is home to
approximately half

43. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
National Park
The Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River
National Park, also
commonly known as the
Puerto Princesa
Underground River,
was officially
recognized as one of
the New 7 Wonders of
Naturein 2012. This
gave tourists a good
reason to stay a
while in the

44. Kayangan Lake
Considered by many as the cleanest lake in the Philippines,
and by some as even the cleanest in Asia, Kayangan Lake is
one of the most popular tourist destinations in Coron.

45. Iwahig Firefly Watching Mangrove
Ecotourism And Wildlife Park
This magical treat
involves a serene
paddle boat ride down
the Iwahig River at
night, with an
enchanting display of
sprinkles of
fireflies twinkling
within the mangroves
that line the
riverbank. The tour,
which lasts no more
than half an hour, is

46. Honday Bay Islands
For Palawan
visitors who don’t
have enough time to
venture up north to
El Nido or Coron,
the islands of
Honda Bay, near the
heart of the
province’s capital,
are a good
alternative. It’s
about a half-hour
drive from the city

48. REFERENCES
Department of Tourism. (2018). Tourism Guidebook and
Manual.
Retrieved from
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/Guidebook_Manual/TourismGuideboo
k.pdf
So, P. L. (2018). Philippine Tourist Destinations. Manila,
Philippines: Accumicro I.T. Solutions.
Domingo, B. B. (2017). Philippine Tourism. Foreign Service
Institute.
Libosada, C. M. (2017). Domestic Tourism. Pasig City,