Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
IMAGINE riding a car to cruise along the South Luzon Expressway, Star Toll Expressway and reach the Batangas International Port Terminal to board a fast ferry for an hour's cruise to reach a small but progressive city called Calapan. You may roll your car in a ferry for additional convenience but for an additional fee and an hour to spend to experience the scenic view of the oceans kissing the skies. In four hours of convenient ride from Metro Manila, you are welcome to Calapan City in an island province named Oriental Mindoro, the "gold mine of the orient," central to the island provinces of the Mimaropa region. The newest and largest passenger terminal of the Philippines Ports Authority (PPA) welcomes you to the city.
Calapan City bears a rich and colorful history that weaves through time. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Mangyan tribes, the area was named "Calapan" after the "kalap" tree that thrived in abundance. The Mangyan communities preserved their unique culture and traditions, even as various influences began to shape the city's development. In the 16th century, Spanish colonizers arrived, leaving a lasting impact on Calapan's cultural landscape. It also became a haven for Catholic missionaries who established a church, a symbol of Calapan's religious heritage that still stands today. The second largest pipe organ in the country is found in the Santo Niño Cathedral. The city became a significant trading post, attracting merchants from neighboring islands and beyond.
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