Lubang Island
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Lubang Island lies to the northwest of the northern end of Mindoro in the Philippines. It lies about 150 kilometers southwest of Manila. Lubang Island, about 30 kilometers in length and 10 kilometers wide at some points, is the largest of a group of 4 large islands and numerous smallet islets. To the east lies the circular Ambil Island. To the southeast is the narrow Golo Island and to the northwest is the small Cabra Island.
The islands are part of the province of Occidental Mindoro and are divided into two municipalities: Lubang and Looc. Lubang covers the western half of Lubang Island and Cabra Island, while Looc covers the remaining half of Lubang Island plus Ambil and Golo Islands.
Lubang's recent history includes the curious story of Hiroo Onoda, a former army intelligence officer who was the last Japanese soldier to surrender in World War II. He hid in the jungles of Lubang Island when the Allies reclaimed the Philippines and engaged in continuous guerilla warfare together with the Philippine troops refusing to believe the war was over. He surrendered in 1974, 29 years after the end of World War II.
Looc Proper is divided into three major parts BonBon Gitna and Kanluran. Main source of living is fishing being surrounded by water. However tourism is now also being eyed to be an opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of the island having it's fine white sand coastline.
[edit] References
- Hiroo Onoda, No Surrender: My Thirty-Year War, New York: Kodansha International, 1974.
It is home to the cultural dance called "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" meaning 'Fandango with light'. The term pandanggo comes from the Spanish word fandango, which is a dance characterized by marking time with a clack of castanets, snapping of fingers, and stomping of feet in triple-time rhythm.
