"ARAW NG MARINDUQUE" FESTIVITIES SET IN FEBRUARY

Araw ng Marinduque logo designed by Ton Monteagudo




Sta. Cruz' Seafoods Festival expected to make an appearance.




"HAPIT-HIMIGAN" for local choir groups.










"VIVA MARINDUQUE" ANI NG SINING '09 MAKES A COMEBACK WITH A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES IN THE SIX MUNICIPALITIES, part of the NCCA organized PHILIPPINE INERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL.







The indispensable MORIONES group, Kapatiran. Also set to make a presence in this year's PANAGBENGA FLOWER FESTIVAL in Baguio City to promote MARINDUQUE TOURISM.


The SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN NG MARINDUQUE presided by Vice-Governor Tomas N. Pizarro has passed ORDINANCE NO. 81 declaring February 21 of every year as “ARAW NG MARINDUQUE” to commemorate the final establishment of the Province of Marinduque as an independent province through Act No. 2880 dated February 21, 1920, sponsored in the lower house by then representative Ricardo Paras, who later rose as chief justice of the Supreme Court. The new odinance was authored by board member Yolando R. Querubin, Chair of the SP Committee on Tourism.

Araw ng Marinduque celebration was started last year, 2007, by the provincial government as part of Governor Jose Antonio N. Carrion's efforts "to incite and support the take off of a vibrant tourism, economic and social development".

Marinduque’s foundation day will be celebrated in fitting ceremonies with activities showcasing its traditional arts & culture, history, and uniqueness as a province. Aimed also to promote Marinduque as a green-tourism and cultural tourism destination in line with the development thrust of the provincial administration, the activities lined up by the provincial government in cooperation with the six municipalities of Boac, Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, Torrijos and Sta. Cruz are expected to strengthen the Marinduqueno’s cultural identity, foster unity and promote collaborative development efforts and initiatives among Marinduquenos.

“VIVA MARINDUQUE” (Feb 13-27)

The cultural and artistic activities that have been programmed include “Viva Marinduque”, a series of performances that will be toured province-wide on scheduled dates within February. This project has been made possible in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Education, the six municipal governments and various cultural groups.

The two-hour evening performance features local folk dances, songs, indigenous music, dance-dramas and traditional rituals. Performances have been set to Feb 13 (Gasan), Feb 17 (Mogpog), Feb 21 (MSC), Feb. 23 (Boac), Feb 24 (Buenavista), Feb 25 (Torrijos) and Feb 26 (Sta. Cruz). “Viva Marinduque: Ani ng Sining” is part of the national celebration of Philippine International Arts Festival 2009. Contact person: Eli Obligacion #0909-6830654)

“HAPIT-HIMIGAN” CHORAL COMPETITION

“Hapit-Himigan”, a choral competition will be held in the evening of Friday, Feb. 20 in Boac. This will be participated in by municipal groups, religious choirs and school-based choral groups. Participants will be singing “Marinduque Akin Ka” as contest-piece and another song of their choice. This activity is aimed to provide an opportunity to develop love for the province and enhance skills through songs. The contact person is Fe Corazon Recalde (Tel. No. 0928-2278739).

“PUTONG FESTIVAL”

On Saturday, Feb 21 a “Putong Festival” showcase with the municipalities participating will be held in Gasan from 2:00 pm. This traditional song and dance affair is expected to be graced by local tourists, visiting media representatives and delegates to the Southern Tagalog Regional Conference to be held in Marinduque by members of the Philippine Dental Association.

“ARAW NG MARINDUQUE FESTIVAL SHOWCASE”

On Monday, Feb 23 a grand parade and Marinduque’s municipal festival showcases will be held at the capital town of Boac from 7:00 am. Expected to be featured here as part of the municipal government efforts to promote local festivals are “Moriones” (Boac), “Gasang-Gasang Easter Festival” (Gasan), “Kangga Festival” (Mogpog), “Seafoods Festival” (Sta. Cruz), “Tubaan Festival” (Torrijos), “Putong” (Buenavista). (Contact person: Marian Cunanan, #0928-6760316)


“PHILIPPINE HOBIE CHALLENGE '09”

Meanwhile, provincial administrator Allan Velasco, also chair of the provincial tourism council, extended an invitation to local hobie enthusiasts and the general public to witness the Marinduque sojourn of the Philippine Hobbie Challenge 2009. The event will involve 15 competing Hobie, 16 sailing boats, a motor yacht ‘mother ship and 4 safety power boats. The fleet will also be supported by a rally fleet of 6-9 sailing yachts providing logistic, safety and communications support.

The fleet is expected to arrive mid-afternoon of February 9, off the coast of Pinggan (Gasan) depending on the prevailing wind, and depart at 8:00 am the next day. Their next stop is Romblon, Sibuyan and Tablas and finish in Boracay.

This highly publicized spectacle has introduced many people from around the world to the wonders of the Philippine islands through print, photographs and films.