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Oriental Mindoro - History
Mindoro, the seventh largest island in the Philippines, was founded on February 2,1921, by the members of the Spanish mission. They occupied the southern and northern tips of the island but were soon driven away by Muslim hordes. The Muslims later built strongholds in the island from which they launched attacks against Manila. They were later vanquished by the forces of Simon de Anda.
In the early years of Spanish rule, Mindoro was administered as a part of the province of Batangas, then known as Bonbon. It was separated from Batangas, with Puerto Galera as its capital, during the 17th century. In 1902, the island of Lubang was annexed to Mindoro, which gained full provincehood in 1921. In 1950, the island was divided into two separate and autonomous provinces through Republic Act No.505, designating the eastern portion of the island as Oriental Mindoro, with Calapan as its capital, and the western part as Occidental Mindoro, with Mamburao as its capital.
Every November 15, the people celebrate the Sanduguan Festival. It is a re-enactment of the first historical trade and cultural contact between the natives of the island of MA-l (Mindoro) and traders from China. Sanduguan is derived from the native word ""Sandugo,"" which literally means ""blood brother."" The festival is done in consonance with the founding anniversary of Mindoro Oriental.
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