Topics
- Backpackers (1)
- Beaches (1)
- Culture (1)
- Foods (1)
- Getaways (2)
- Getting there (1)
- Historical Places (1)
- History (2)
- Resorts (1)
- Sablayan (1)
- San Jose (1)
Posts
Mindoro: What's in a name
It is a common belief that "Mindoro" was a contraction of the Spanish name "Mina de Oro" meaning "Mine of Gold" but an entry in the book written by Volker Schult, titled Mindoro: A Social History of a Philippine Island in the 20th Century, has a better explanation.
Schult wrote:
"A.Postma, Mindoro Missions Revisited, PQCS, vol. 5 (1977), pp. 253-254, made it clear that the name "Mindoro" as the island's name has derived from "Minolo", the main settlement at the time the Spaniard's arrived. In documents written in Tagalog, Mindoro was named as "ang pulo ng Minolo" up to the end of 18th century. In the Spanish translations of these documents, however, "Minolo" permanently was changed into "Mindoro". Moreover, the Spaniards used "Mindoro" as the synonym of the main settlement and harbor of "Minolo". Thus, it seems that "Mindoro" is a hispanization of the tagalog "Minolo" which, at first, denoted only the main settlement. In the course of time however, "Mindoro" was identified with the island as such. The settlement of "Minolo" lost its importance, which made identification with the island's name much easier."
At present "Minolo" is reduced to just one of the barangays* of "Puerto Galera"(a name which according to Schult was only mentioned in records from the 18th century onwards.)
Note:
*"Barangay" is the smallest government unit in the Philippines.
About This Website
I've always been interested in knowing more than the usual about this island called "Mindoro". This is where my ancestors migrated right after the "Second World War", this is also where I grew up, fell in love, sired a child and started a family.
Although I spent most of my life in "Mindoro" it seems that I know less about it; than say a "Mangyan" who roams its mountains, or the fisherman who traverses and explores the width & depth of its seas and rivers ; the treasure hunter who loots its artifacts & destroys archaeological sites, the archaeologist who digs its past, the historian who researches and chronicles it, the rebel who goads its poor inhabitants to rise and revolt or even the tourist who lie half-naked on its beautiful beaches.
So I invite you to read on and join me as I make a journey of a lifetime, as I try to discover..."Mindoro".
0 comments:
Post a Comment