Monday, March 3, 2008

"BULONG" in Torrijos



“VIVA MARINDUQUE !”
(Ani ng Sining ng Marinduque:
Philippine Arts Festival 2008)


Background:

During the Oral and Local History Conference in Vigan City (Nov. 22-23, 2007), we requested for a meeting Friday, Nov. 23, with the NCCA Culture & Arts Officer representing the Commission. It was to lobby for financial support for the proposed Conference on Marinduque and to explore other areas of cooperation with the NCCA particularly in the field of the performing arts.

The officer promised to follow-up an earlier request to the NCCA, a copy of which we furnished him in connection with the history conference project. He also promised to work, although it was a bit late, on the possible inclusion of Marinduque in the Philippine Arts Festival 2008 project in connection with the National Arts Month celebration in February 2008.

By Monday, Nov. 26 the said Culture & Arts Officer called us up to inform NCCA’s welcome decision for inclusion of Marinduque in the Philippine Arts Festival 2008, with a grant of P. 100,000.00. The proposal from NCCA was emailed on Nov. 27, with the required line item budget proposal already filled out as the deadline for confirmation was already Nov. 28.

After sending the confirmation a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was emailed from NCCA for signing by the Governor. We sent an urgent request meanwhile to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to authorize the Governor to sign the said MOA.

Future plan for the project:

“Viva Marinduque!” is not a one-time project. It would be developed as Marinduque’s cultural & artistic showcase with the end in view of presenting it in national cultural festivals (similar to Teatro Balangaw’s earlier production of “Mara Unduk” that was eventually performed in local and national cultural venues), to promote excellence and Marinduque’s cultural and tourism development.


Production:

The project would be under our direct supervision as project proponent and artistic director in cooperation with participating schools (Bangbang National High School & Marinduque Midwest College) and cultural organizations.
The Event Program:
"VIVA MARINDUQUE" showcased municipal folk dances from the 6 towns, a dance-drama, "MORYONAN", "BULONG" (another dance-drama that used the local belief on teleportation caused by nature's spirit as a device to present historical episodes), a re-enactment in song and dance on "PULANG LUPA", "PUTONG" by the Capitol Choir, "KALUTANG" music by the kalutang band of Bangbang and "MARINDUQUE AKIN KA" choral rendition by the Capitol Choir. The 2-hour showcase was presented in the six towns of Mogpog, Sta. Cruz, Boac, Buenavista, Torrijos and Gasan in that order during the month of February. One of the many "Araw ng Marinduque" activities that was hailed province-wide.
The presentation was featured in the TV-program "SINING GISING" over NBN-4, produced by the National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA).
(Photos hereunder show shots from "VIVA MARINDUQUE")

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