Abra de Ilog Trailride

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Abra de Ilog was formerly a small settlement founded by Spanish religious missionaries sometime in the early part of the 17th century. According to folk history, its former name was Abre de Ilog. The name was derived from the Spanish verb abrir (to open) and the Tagalog noun ilog (river). Later on, the name evolved into its present name: Abra de Ilog, a Chabacano-like terminology which can be loosely translated as yacap ng ilog, or “embrace of the river.” This can be attributed to the numerous rivers and creeks that traverses, or “embraces”, strategic areas of the municipality.

In 1902, during the American Occupation the town was officially organized. Abra de Ilog’s first “municipal president” was Rosaleo Miciano. But with the passage of Republic Act No. 1280 (An Act Reducing the Fifteen (15) Municipalities of Occidental Mindoro into Eight (8) Municipalities) on January 4, 1905, Abra de Ilog was made a barrio of the Municipality of Mamburao.

Five years later, in 1910, Abra de Ilog regained its status as a municipality. On June 13, 1915, the government under US Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison approved Rep. Act 505 creating the “New Province of Occidental Mindoro”. This new province comprised the municipalities of Abra de Ilog, Looc, Lubang, Mamburao (now the capital of Occidental Mindoro), Paluan, Sablayan, San José and Santa Cruz. (SOURCE: Wikipedia)

Abra de Ilog can be reached from Manila via the Batangas Port in the south, about two and a half hours drive from the capital through the South Expressway that connects to the Star Tollway in Calamba, Laguna. The Star Tollway will take you directly to the Port of Batangas. Alternatively, you can also take the bus from Pasay (BLTB, JAM, etc.) going to Batangas Pier, ask the driver to drop you off at the terminal. Buy tickets for the RORO (Montenegro Lines) bound for Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro. There are currently two trips per day, one departing at 6AM and the next is 12PM (Schedules are prone to changing without prior notice so check the website before departure). In Abra de Ilog, take the van or jeep to Abra de Ilog or you can also hire a motorcycle or “banca” (wooden outrigger boat) to take you to either Udalo or directly to Tuko Beach Resort in Muntingbuhangin Beach. Tuko is the only beach resort in the area. The only alternative  would be to find accommodations in the port area or at the town. There’s a bit of a trick to finding where the bancas wait for passengers though, you’ll have to turn right right outside the gate of Abra de Ilog port into a narrow passage that leads onto the beach beside the pier. There are usually boat operators there that you can talk to about rates. Usual boat rental to Udalo or Muntingbuhangin is Php 600.00, but the prices vary depending on the weather and your negotiating skills. The boat ride to Udalo and Muntingbuhangin usually take about 30 minutes.

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