Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

I was in Socorro, Oriental Mindoro and a lot of my friends were convincing me to go to Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro. And I did!

How to get there

From Manila or Cubao, board a bus going to Batangas City Pier. There are numerous bus companies plying the route such as Jam Liner, DLTB and Batangas Starex (BSC). It is better to board the bus with the signage "ACTEX" or Calabarzon going to Batangas City Pier. Fare is around P165. Travel time from Manila is 2 - 2.5 hours.

Once you reach the pier, go to Terminal 3 and choose between Super Cat, Fast Cat and Ocean Jet. You can also board a RoRo. Travel time in the fastcraft is 1.5 hours and in the RoRo is 3 hours. The fare varies from aircon to non-aircon (P190-300). First trip going to Calapan is 6 am and last trip is 6 pm. 

Once you reach the Calapan port, board bus going to San Jose. If you board the bus going to Roxas, you have to take another ride going to Bulalacao (25 kilometers). Fare is P250 and travel time is 4 - 5 hours.

Alight in the town of Bulalacao and go to the pier.

We did not use public transport. Instead, from Socorro to Bulalacao I drove for 3 hours (145 kms). 

     We reached the Port of Bulalacao.

Tatay Arse, Tatay Edon and I took souvenir pictures while in the port.

While in the port, we inquired with the locals relative to our boat transport.

There are six islands that you can visit, namely: Buyayaw, Tambaron, Sugikay, Target, Aslom and Maasin.

Sugicay and Target are the best islands.

                    Island hopping 

                 All islands  - P5,000

                 Tambaron - P1,500

                   Sugicay - P1,500

                     Target - P2,000

                    Aslom - P2,000

                  Buyayaw - P2,000

        Boatman -Gemar 0946 0627418

Past 8 am, we boarded the boat. I was able to hire the boat for P1,500 for two destinations, namely: Maasin and Tambaron.

And we started our island hopping adventure!

   After 40 minutes, we reached Maasin.

We were excited to see the island and we stayed in the island for only 20 minutes.

Maasin is the best spot to take a swim. It has clear and pristine waters.

Thereafter, we left the island of Maasin.

After 10 minutes, we reached Tambaron.

How I wish I could have seen the other islands after seeing Tambaron and compare them.

Entrance fee in the island is P50 per pax.

We roamed around the resort and made inquiries.

                Tambaron - 09985301139

After nearly an hour, we left the island and went back to the port. And I drove back for another 3 hours and reached Socorro past 4 pm.

Thank you for the pleasant experience 

in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro!

Socorro, Oriental Mindoro

This is the hometown of my sister-in-law Aleli S. Villegas and for more than 10 years, I have always been invited to visit Socorro.

How to get there

From Manila or Cubao, board a bus going to Batangas City Pier. There are numerous bus companies plying the route such as Jam Liner, DLTB and Batangas Starex (BSC). It is better to board the bus with the signage "ACTEX" or Calabarzon going to Batangas City Pier. Fare is around P165. Travel time from Manila is 2 - 2.5 hours.

Once you reach the pier, go to Terminal 3 and choose between Super Cat, Fast Cat and Ocean Jet. The fare varies from aircon to non-aircon (P190-300). First trip going to Calapan is 6 am and last trip is 6    pm. 

Once you reach the Calapan port, board the van going to Socorro/Pinamalayan or the bus going to San Jose. Fare is P100 and travel time is 1.5 hours or 60 kilometers.

Alight in the town of Socorro. But my destination is in Fortuna or Putol and I had to board a motorcycle ride to Putol. Travel time to Putol is 20-30 minutes or 12 kilometers of uphill climb. Fare is P50/pax.

Instead of the van, I boarded the RoRo bus going to San Jose and the fare was only P80. 

And after 1.5 hours, I reached Socorro.

I went to the town's market and there I was fetched by Tatay Arse and Nanay Viring and with them is Tatay Edon. We boarded Tatay Arse's van and proceeded to Putol.

Reaching the house, my first instict was to visit the river and the hanging bridge. It was hot that day and I took a dip in the cold water.

But before taking a dip. I climbed the hanging bridge.

Afterwards, I enjoyed the cold and refreshing fresh water of the river.

I waited for the sunset and watched it unfold under the hanging bridge. Tatay Arse fetched me from the river and we took our sumptuous dinner.

Day 2

We went to Bulalacao the following day. (separate blog) and then went back to Socorro.

Arriving in Socorro, I took a nap and then we caught fish in the palaisdaan of Tatay Arse. 

We divided the loot and I was able to get 5 big tilapya. I was about to grill the fish but I decided to go back to the river.

Again, I dipped in the cold waters for about an hour and then went back to Tatay Arse's house which was a 10-minute walk.

And along the way back, I saw that they have a horse and I took a souvenir shot onboard the horse.

The following morning I went to Isla Verde leaving treasured memories of Socorro. Thank you Tatay Arse, Nanay Viring and Tatay Edon for your kindness and hospitality in Fortuna, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro.