Updated itinerary, as of Feb. 9, 2009
(Scroll down for more details) Feb. 18 Wed. New: 8:30 AM early checkin at ASB condotel location instead of after 12 pm (call or email and find out why). Feb. 19 Thurs. still the same Feb. 20 Fri. be at the condotel at 4:30 AM for departure to Batangas pier. Make sure that you have reserved your seat with us in the van. Small luggages only. New : fireworks display will take place in San Vicente at night. Call or relay this to your friends, neighbors and relatives in Mindoro to be there. Open to public. Feb. 21 Sat. fresh flowers, arch balloons, DIs, votive candles with tea lights will adorn the place for the formal ball. everything else , the same Feb. 22 Sun. the same Note : our audience with Pres. Arroyo was approved but you need to call us to check for which date, time and place of assembly. It's not on the 19th !!! Have a safe and nice trip if you are still here ! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Updated itinerary, as of Jan. 30, 2009: (Scroll down for more details) Feb. 18, Wed. 3 pm checkin at condotel in Makati group dinner at night Feb. 19, Thurs. tour bus pick up before 9 Am at condotel group dinner at night Feb. 20, Friday see you at Batangas pier before 9 AM, go to Mabuhay Lounge for private breakfast and entertainment Feb. 21. Sat. same as below Feb. 22. Sun. same as below (scroll down further) Updated itinerary, as of Jan. 16, 2009 : (scroll down for the rest of the itinerary) Feb. 18 you should be in Manila by now, or earlier, to join the activities the next day. If you are interested to stay at the Prince Plaza 11 condotel aka ASB condotels at the Greenbelt area, Makati, please email us at mindorousa@yahoo.com for reservation. $ 60/night for two. If you need to stay at El Pueblo resort in Calapan City, email us, too, to reserve. Feb. 19 pick up location at condotel at 8 AM for sightseeing tour to visit Money Museum, Global City, Fort Santiago and more. We are still awaiting for confirmation on our trip to Malacanang. Please note that we will only advise the REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS if Malacanang has been approved for security reasons. Feb. 20 you must arrive at Batangas pier before 9 AM. Feb. 21 same as before (scroll down the page) Feb. 22 same as before (scroll down the page) You need to mail your registration fee now ! Clearance to Malacanang takes 10 days. Updated itinerary, as of December 16, 2008: February 19 Thursday tentative courtesy call on Pres. Arroyo confirmed sightseeing tour in Manila ASB Condotel tower accommodation next to Greenbelt mall in Makati ($ 30 per person sharing per room). Pls. email us if interested. February 20 Friday early departure for Batangas pier. Van available, for trip straight to Batangas, cost to be shared. Pls. email us if interested. Entertainment and light breakfast at Batangas while waiting for the boat. Official ID badges to be distributed to registered participants only. All participants need to wear one to be ID'd. Arrive in Calapan City to be welcomed by a marching band. Lunch follows. At night, will close San Vicente street for Mardi Gras - Street Dancing, open to public, with live bands, food vendors, fiesta-style. February 21 Sat. Motorcade starts at the Plaza, enroute to San Vicente, to Capitolyo, to Ilaya and back to Plaza. Lunch follows Barrio Fiesta style, with palaro, native foods, litchon and more. Open to registered participants only. Pls. inquire if you have friends n relatives in the Phil. who wish to join this Barrio Fiesta. At night, Grand Ball follows, formal attire, with live band. Miss Balik Mindoro USA . Miss Balik Mindoro Philippines and Mrs. Balik Mindoro will be crowned during the ball. Open to registered participants only. You need to register your guests in the Phil. if they are joining. Feb. 22 Sunday concelebrated mass by Fr. Mimo, Fr. Andy and Fr. RV. Optional: leave for Boracay. You need to register in advance with us to reserve a room. All KKB. Note: Your ID will be ordered upon receipt of your registration fee. |
Scroll down for Welcome Messages from Governor Arnan Panaligan, Vice Governor Estee Aceron and Mayor Doy Leachon !!!
Updates on Balik Mindoro 2009 - Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a vote : Registration is required per attendee to be counted and given a badge ID. A fee of $ 50 per person covers expenses for badges or IDs, banners, streamers, souvenirs and related stuff. Please register by sending an email to mindorousa@yahoo.com and indicate as "attending". We need you to register by email so we can keep track of your email address and your name for IDs or badges. Itinerary: Feb. 19 Thursday possible courtesy call with Pres. Arroyo confirmed FREE half day sightseeing in Manila on an airconditioned tour bus courtesy of Dept. of Tourism Feb. 20 Friday leave for Manila for Batangas City pier arrive Calapan City before noon, to be welcomed by a marching band. Lunch follows. Fiesta celebration at night, open to the public but Balik Mindoro attendees in a preferred seating area. Vendors are welcome to sell palamig, sinulbot, BBQ and more... Feb. 21 Sat. daytime activities planned Grand Ball at night, formal attire, with live music band Feb. 22 Sun. concelebrated mass, breakfast follows Optional tour: after mass, leave for Boracay for an overnight stay ID badges will be provided only to those who have registered and paid their $ 50 registration fee. Various resorts will be recommended for your accommodation while in Calapan City. You need to book your trip and accommodation in Calapan City on your own. KKB, kaniya-kaniyang book, Kaniya-kaniyang bayad ng trip and accommodation. This is not included in your registration fee. Salamat po ! |
Official Balik Mindoro Theme after the big search for a theme in our Name Game contest is :
Buong Mundo Balik Mindoro 2009 submitted by Julie Lao of Virginia Beach. Second and Third Winners are Ester Paras Jose of Los Angeles, CA for her Mindoro, my homeland forever entry and Josephine Padilla of Calapan City for Bayan ko Bayan Mo Mindoro entry. Make a vote now to register, scroll down to the bottom of this page. And them send an email to mindorousa@yahoo.com and simply say "attending". Or simply call Juliet at 718 267 0221. If you are in the Philippines, please contact Dept.of Tourism 043 286 7046 or Office of the Governor and Office of Vice Governor in Calapan City. |
Welcome messages from Governor Arnan Panaligan, Vice Governor Estee Aceron and Mayor Doy Leachon on our Balik Mindoro 09 reunion :
From Governor Arnan Panaligan dated July 2008 Republic of the Philippines Province of Oriental Mindoro Calapan City Office of the Governor To our Fellow Mindorenos all Over the World: I am cordially inviting you to the grand homecoming of all Mindorenos living abroad on February 19 - 24, 2009 to be held in Calapan City. This reunion, dubbed as Balik-Mindorenos 2009, is a rare opportunity for the Mindorenos from various parts of the world to visit their homeprovince and have a reunion with their relatives, friends and "kababayans" after several years living abroad. Please come home and take part in this grand celebration. Signed: Arnan C. Panaligan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Vice Governor Estee Aceron dated April 11, 2008 Officed of the Vice-Governor My Dear Kababayans: The United Mindoro International, Inc., an organization of Mindorenos based in the United, States, is spearheading the 1st Balik Mindoro Global Reunion, which is tentatively scheduled on February 19 - 22, 2009 to be held in the City of Calapan, Province of Oriental Mindoro. In collaboration with the local government units particularly the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro and the City Government of Calapan, it is expected that Mindorenos from different parts of the world and those living outside the province will re-unite with their families and friends left here in the province. During said three-day historic pioneering event, the organizers will prepare various activities showcasing the province's cultures and traditions to refresh the minds and to rekindle the spirit of visiting Mindorenos. I believe, as you revisit the province, it will not only serve as a great opportunity to exchange expert views on issues concerning the development of our province but will also help boost the tourism industry of the province for which the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro envisioned as the Philippines' emerging eco-tourism destination. Indeed, there is no other place like home; thus, I am encouraging you, my beloved fellow Oriental Mindorenos, to join the said momentous occasion and let it serve as a renewal of your commitment and concern for our province and fellow kababayans. Surely, this rate occasion will bring back good memories of our youthfuldays and will be an opportune time to meet our relatives and friends. Incidentally, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Oriental Mindoro is in the process of enacting a provincial ordinance declaring February 20 of every year as "Balik-Mindoro Day" that would provide relevant activities and necessary funds to ensure its fruitful and meaningful celebration. Hopefully, the said legislative measure will be approved either within the month of April or May, year instant. I am look forward to welcome you here in the beautiful Province of Oriental Mindoro. Mabuhay po tayong lahat ! Very truly yours, Maria Estela Felipa M. Aceron Provincial Vice-Governor Note from the website: On May 5, 2008, the mentioned ordinance in Vice Governor Estee's letter above was approved under Provincial Ordinance 005-2008. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Mayor Paulino "Doy" Leachon dated March 27, 2008 Office of the City Mayor City of Calapan Ms. Juliet Payabyab President, United Mindoro International, Inc. New York City Madam: Pax ! I would like to respectfully ask your esteemed organization to please relay my invitation to all Mindorenos living in the United States of America and even those in the Visayas and Mindanao to please visit the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, the City of Calapan in particular during the First Balik-Mindoro Global reunion which your association is planning for 2009. The City Government of Calapan and all the Calapenos would be very much willing to open their doors and accept their fellow Mindorenos who had been away from our island for a number of years now. Witness how economic development and progress has enveloped our city and our beloved island and more importantly, how we kept its hometown appeal in the midst of the march towards modernization. Again, I am inviting all of you to come and visit the City of Calapan and the island of Mindoro soon. Thank you and warm personal regards, Very truly yours, Atty. Paulino Salvador C. Leachon City Mayor |