Tourism
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New Schedule of FastCat for Batangas-Calapan-Batangas Route Effective January 22, 2025
FastCat has announced a new schedule for its ferry service between Batangas and Calapan, effective from January 22, 2025. The updated departure times from Batangas are at 12:00 AM, 3:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 1:00 PM,…
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New Shipping Route May Soon Connect Batangas to Pola Port
Shogun Shipping Lines is exploring the launch of a new maritime route connecting Batangas Port to Pola Port in Oriental Mindoro, potentially offering passengers a more convenient travel option with high-end vessel amenities. Ryan Yaco,…
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MIMAROPA Tourism Achieves Landmark Growth and Global Recognition in 2024
MIMAROPA region marked a banner year for tourism in 2024, recording an 11.52% increase in visitor arrivals and garnering multiple international accolades, according to officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT). Tourist arrivals reached 2,601,253…
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DFA’s Passport on Wheels Program Coming to Bansud
The local government unit of Bansud has partnered with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to bring mobile passport services to residents through the Passport on Wheels program on March 18, 2025. The one-day event…
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Oriental Mindoro Mandates Sea Transport Firms to Air Tourism Videos
The Oriental Mindoro provincial government has issued an ordinance requiring all sea transportation companies operating in the province to air tourism promotional and cultural preservation videos on their vessels. Provincial Ordinance No. 179-2024, authored by…
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New Ferry Service to Link Mindoro and Caticlan (Boracay)
A new roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel service is set to strengthen island connectivity between Occidental Mindoro and Aklan provinces, offering an alternative route for vehicles and cargo traveling between Luzon and the Visayas. M/V LCT ABL…
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Fastcat Trip Between Batangas and Calapan Suspended for Port Renovation
Major Philippine ferry operator FastCat suspended its services Tuesday between busy ports of Batangas City and Calapan City, as authorities began a month-long renovation of port facilities. The suspension comes after a directive from the…
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Australian Cruise Ship Makes Historic First Call at Oriental Mindoro
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – The provincial capital of Oriental Mindoro marked a milestone in its tourism history Friday (Nov. 8, 2024) as it welcomed its first international cruise ship, with the Australian expedition vessel…
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Drone Registration Mandatory for Oriental Mindoro’s 74th Anniversary Celebrations
Provincial government authorities in Oriental Mindoro have announced mandatory registration requirements for drone operators planning to cover the province’s 74th founding anniversary celebrations this November, citing safety and regulatory compliance. The Provincial Tourism Office issued…
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Oriental Mindoro Tourism Generates P253M in September 2024 Despite Rainy Season
Oriental Mindoro’s tourism sector demonstrated strong performance in September 2024, generating P253.66 million in tourism receipts despite seasonal rains, according to provincial tourism data released yesterday. The province welcomed 20,745 visitors during the month, with…
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.
