Oriental Mindoro sets cultural summer fest

According to Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr., the festivities will also put to the fore the Province’s culture and history which dates back to the precolonial era.

Oriental Mindoro is home to the ruins of Spanish colonial churches in Bancuro, Naujan town, archaeological sites of precolonial civilizations, and tribal villages of Mangyans, one of the country’s notable indigenous peoples. It also takes pride in its secluded coves of fine sand beaches, the placid lakes of Naujan and Caluangan, enchanting waterfalls, scenic rivers, and idyllic islands.

In terms of natural heritage, it boasts of the mighty Mt. Halcon which is home to one of the country’s havens of biodiversity which is the habitat of the national animal “tamaraw” ( bubalus mindorensis).

The province is also home to the famed resort town of Puerto Galera, a Unesco man and biosphere sanctuary which was named in 2005 by a Paris-based club as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

Mr. Umali said that the festival will also highlight the strides made by the local government in governance, tourism and cultural advancement, agricultural modernization, investment and economic development over the decades.

Composed of 14 towns and one city, Oriental Mindoro serves as the backbone of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway which connects Luzon to the Visayas. ORIENTAL MINDORO turns on the summer heat as it celebrates the province’s rich nature and culture in the award-winning Pandang Gitab Festival from May 14-16.

Originally held to mark the province’s founding day, the cultural dance dates back to the Spanish era which was inspired by the practice of marginal fishermen in lighting their lamps as they go off to sea.

Endowed by a long coastline, Oriental Mindoro is blessed with lush fishing grounds teeming with aquatic resources making fishing a major means of livelihood.

Coined from the words “pandanggo” and “dagitab” or flicker of light, the stylized dance follows the traditional sway-and-balance movement, with the shallow gyrating of the hips and side-swing of the hands.

The street dance parade, the highlight of the festivity, is set at the provincial capital city of Calapan on May 16. Commencing at the Sto. Niño Cathedral, the dancers first pay homage to the patron saint at Angelus prayer time before they go around the city with the popular folk dance “Pandanggo sa Ilaw”.

One of the country’s few evening street dances, Pandang Gitab has been representing the Province in the annual Aliwan Fiesta competition since 2011 as one of the top 10 finalists.

Other activity includes the Mutya ng Pandang Gitab on May 15 which will crown Oriental Mindoro’s ambassadresses of tourism and goodwill.