Why I Chose the Name PuertoDeGalera.com

A Personal Journey into the Historic Heart of Puerto Galera

When it came time to create my personal website, I knew I wanted a name that would go beyond branding. It had to be meaningful. It had to connect with history. That’s why I chose puertodegalera.com—a name deeply rooted in the forgotten chapters of our past.

You see, long before Puerto Galera became a popular destination for tourists and divers, it was known during the Spanish colonial era as Puerto de Galera, or Port of the Galley. The name appears in old Spanish records and maritime maps, lending powerful historical weight to its origin. In fact, early colonial cartographers and chroniclers repeatedly used this full name, offering visual and written proof that this wasn’t just a poetic name—it was a real place of strategic maritime importance.

As I discuss in my article, “What’s in a Name,” published right here on puertodegalera.com, the word galera refers to a type of small galleon or warship used by the Spanish conquistadores for inter-island navigation. Unlike the massive galleons that crossed the oceans, these vessels—such as the San Miguel and La Tortuga—were nimble, could be rowed, and were ideal for exploring the intricate coastline of the Philippines.

Puerto de Galera’s bay, naturally sheltered and deep, offered a safe haven for these galleys. It became a regular stopover—a refuge from typhoons and a launchpad for further conquest, conversion, and colonization. The name itself is a reflection of that role. When we call it Puerto Galera today, we are speaking a shortened version of something once much richer in meaning.

Choosing puertodegalera.com is my way of honoring this layered past. This website is not just a space for my personal blogs, reflections, and historical notes—it is a tribute to the soul of this place. It is a gentle reminder that every name has a story, and every place has a past worth remembering.

If you’re curious to dig deeper into this story, I invite you to read “What’s in a Name” here on the site. There you’ll find historical references, old map excerpts, and insights into how a name can carry the weight of centuries.

Welcome to Puerto de Galera. Not just a name. A legacy.