Tourism
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Ferry Service Between Mindoro and Boracay Gateway Resumes Operations
Maritime passenger services between Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro and Caticlan, the primary gateway to world-renowned Boracay Beach, have resumed operations, providing travelers with an alternative route to one of the Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations.…
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Mindoro Towns Win Top Tourism Honors at National Awards
Mindoro Towns Win Top Tourism Honors at National Awards Two municipalities in Occidental Mindoro swept multiple categories at the 2025 ATOP Pearl Awards, with Sablayan taking two grand prizes and San Jose earning three runner-up…
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PPA Fined, Ordered to Stop Mindoro Cruise Terminal Construction Over Alleged Environmental Violations
Environmental regulators have ordered the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to immediately halt construction of the P704-Million cruise ship terminal project in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro and pay a P50,000-peso fine for violating the country’s environmental…
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Beach Business Owners Oppose Cruise Port Development in Puerto Galera
A local business association has formally opposed the proposed 705-million-peso cruise port development in Puerto Galera, citing legal compliance issues and environmental issues in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The White Beach Business Owners Association (WBBOA)…
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Puerto Galera Crowned Philippines’ Premier Dive Destination at Inaugural Tourism Awards
The pristine waters surrounding Puerto Galera have earned the highest tourism honor, cementing its reputation as the country’s diving capital at the inaugural Philippine Tourism Awards. Vice Mayor Rocky D. Ilagan accepted the Philippine Tourism…
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Cebu Pacific to remove Manila-Mindoro flights, transfers to Clark airport
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific will transfer flights to San Jose in Occidental Mindoro and Naga in Camarines Sur from Manila to Clark International Airport starting October 26, 2025 as aviation authorities push to ease congestion…
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Two More LGUs Join Opposition to Batangas Port Terminal Fee Increase
Two additional local government units (LGU) have joined Oriental Mindoro’s provincial board in opposing a proposed 233-percent increase in passenger terminal fees at Batangas Port, citing issues over the burden on low-income travelers and students.…
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Oriental Mindoro Generates P6.17 Billion in Tourism-related Revenue in 2024
Oriental Mindoro province has positioned itself as a rising star in the Philippine tourism landscape, generating P6.17 billion in tourism receipts during 2024 while recording over half a million visitor arrivals — a 19.35% increase…
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Ferry Service Expands Mindoro Routes from Semirara Island
MV Ma. Cristina-1 has launched expanded ferry services connecting Semirara Island to top Mindoro destinations, with daily routes to San Jose and Bulalacao beginning this week. The vessel operates daily services to San Jose, Mindoro…
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Batangas Port Terminal Fee to Increase 233% Affecting Thousands of Mindoro Travelers
The operator of the Philippines’ primary gateway to Mindoro Island is seeking to more than triple passenger terminal fees, a move that could impact tourism costs for travelers to one of the country’s most popular…
Founder’S Profile
Romel “Direk” Ferriol Bernardo
Bernardo Creative Ventures, Inc., the company behind Direk Fuels, Oriental Mindoro’s homegrown gas station chain, and Direk Builders, which rents out heavy equipment, is expanding its portfolio by venturing into online media and content production.
The company’s entry into news media is not surprising, as its founder and CEO, Romel “Direk” Bernardo, was a television writer, producer, and director for over 15 years. From 2002 to 2007, he served as a researcher, writer, and producer for GMA-7’s top-rating show Imbestigador before becoming the executive producer for ABS-CBN’s award-winning documentary program, The Correspondents.
