|
It is worthy
to note Puerto Galera's rich
history.
Its name comes from the
Spanish translation of “Port of
the Galleons,” which was the
name given by Spaniards who used
the island as a safe haven in the
16th century.
It later became an
important trading center and
became the capital of Mindoro
Island in the 17th
century.
In 1903, however, Calapan
was named the capital as it
remains to the present, and
Puerto Galera became but a barrio
there.
On December 7, 1927,
Puerto Galera was declared an
independent municipality through
Act 3415.
Two
historical landmarks can be found
at Muelle Pier in Puerto Galera:
the Cross of Canonero De
Mariveles, and the Black Rice
display.
The wooden Cross was built
as a commemoration to the
battleship Canonero De Mariveles,
which sank in 1879 in a violent
storm.
It was inscribed “Ultima
tierra que pesarou los
tripolantes del canoneros
Mariveles el 18 de Noviembre de
1879,” and was renovated in
1938 by Luis Gomez y Sotto.
On the other hand, the
glass case display of black rice
grains is evidence of a mystery
occurring on the banks of Muelle
Bay.
In the late 18th
century, a rice granary caught
fire, burning a large store of
grains which was later tossed
into the bay.
Strangely, handsful of
rice grains burnt black continue
to be washed to the banks up to
this day.
Puerto
Galera is most known by tourists
for its beautiful beaches.
Among these are White
Beach, La Laguna and Sabang,
which are the best places for
nightlife. Palangan has many beach resorts, as well as mountain resorts.
The clear waters are ideal
for swimming, snorkling,
scuba-diving, and kayaking.
Aside from
the beaches, visitors to the
island have other wonderful
attractions to choose from,
including the Hidden Valley, the
Mangyan Village, Muelle Bay, the
Tamaraw Waterfalls, and Ponderosa
Golf Club.
A variety of
food – from Filipino to German
to American to European to Asian
– is served in the area.
For those shopping for pasalubong,
there are numerous stalls and
boutiques selling Mangyan
handicraft, marble items, and
rattan products, as well as
souvenir clothing.
Accomodations
on the island are plentiful.
Some of the hotels and
resorts that visitors can lodge
in are Blue
Crystal Beach Resort,
Coral
Cove Beach Resort,
El
Galleon Beach Resort and Hotel,
and Puerto
Galera Resort Hotel.
|
