Executive Ride #07: Marinduque Loop
2 Day Marinduque Loop
Marinduque, the Philippines’ most peaceful province, was ranked first by the Philippine National Police and Philippine Security Forces in 2013 due to its exceptionally low crime rate, consistently ranking alongside Batanes. For nearly two centuries, Marinduque has hosted one of the country’s oldest religious festivals, the Moriones, celebrated annually during Holy Week.
Marinduque is also home to Station Balanacan, the Luzon Datum of 1911, the Philippines’ Geodetic Center, and serves as a pivotal reference point for all geodetic surveys and maps within the nation. Located in Barangay Hinanggayon, Mogpog, Marinduque, Station Balanacan plays a crucial role in maintaining the country’s geodetic accuracy.
Motorcycle riding across Marinduque offers an immersive experience of the island’s picturesque landscapes and cultural landmarks. A popular route, the “Marinduque Loop,” enables riders to explore a substantial portion of the island within a single day. This loop typically commences and concludes in Boac, the provincial capital, and can be traversed in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions.
The route from Boac to Gasan and Buenavista presents flat, coastal roads with minimal traffic and scenic views of nearby islands such as Tres Reyes and Elephant Island. Conversely, the stretch from Buenavista to Torrijos features steep hills leading to the historical Battle of Pulang Lupa site, offering panoramic vistas. Subsequently, newly paved, winding roads from Torrijos to Santa Cruz showcase the island’s natural beauty. Finally, the return journey to Boac provides additional scenic vistas and opportunities to explore local attractions.