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| VICTOR PERLAS VIZARRA, a Marinduqueno abroad shares this poem, and thanks to him, "a tribute to my beloved province of Marinduque and its people, most especially the OFWs-- today's unsung heroes and to my co-expatriates who are tireless in their efforts in helping their less fortunate and impoverished townsfolk." |
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Moriones festival is a hallmark tradition
Around your six coastal towns,
Re-enactment of the legend of Longinus, the blind centurion In pantomime and colorful Roman costumes
Nocturnal recitation of Christ's passion in verses
During the entire Lenten season
Usually mark the week long celebration
Queue of flagellants scourging themselves
Under the scorching heat of the summer sun
Echo in my dreams of you, my home--my beloved...
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| I am proud of your majestic views and God-given beauty, where the warm breeze from the deep blue ocean kisses the lush idyllic hillsides and caresses our souls as we greet the coming of a new dawn with renewed hopes and enthusiasm. |
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| I am also proud of your beautiful sons and daughters who bravely fought their fears and anxieties working hard in war-torn and calamity-laden countries thinking of nothing, but their loved ones left behind. A few got lucky while others didn't see the light of day, nor tasted the fruits of their toils--bitter or sweet... |
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| Is it really worth the sacrifice when families are separated, either by choice or unfortunate stroke of fate Young kids left by their mothers or fathers, or both... their total care and well-being, sometimes neglected could possibly lead to an early and catastrophic ending; the lucky ones never stop with their lavish spending as if money grows on trees and manna falls from heaven. Stop... look, and listen to your inner voice-- Do we really need to outdo each other? |
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| Vanity and ego slowly cripple the moral fibers of a once sweet and innocent society... Loneliness due to separation from loved ones sometimes could lead to broken families, and early demise of someone's character; are these the price we need to pay in lieu of your progress and modern lifestyle, quo vadis, Marinduque?...my home, my beloved! |
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| Is it worth the prize when your lovely daughters are selling their souls to the devil to satisfy yours? beautiful and modern homes completely furnished, now replaced their old but cozy nipa huts;; where their parents and siblings watch soap operas on big-screen-colored television sets, and listen to the ear-piercing sound of HiFi stereos while dancing and singing to their favorite videoke tunes. |
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| Do we really need to leave your beautiful shores? Your open seas are teeming with fish of all species, and your dense forest filled with fauna and timber as far as my eyes can see and feet can explore... Over the green hills and on top of your fertile plains, and across the valleys where our old folks toiled Abundant harvest and sharing, are they gone? |
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| Marinduque--my beloved, my beautiful home I'm happy and proud of what you had become... Despite the moral decay and other social issues, and although still plagued with occasional brown-outs as your development is a work-in-progress, and your total transformation still remains to be seen; you are vibrant and progressive, and still welcoming your warm receptions and beautiful smiles, always keep the weary and starving strangers filled with delight...my foreign friends; take a hike and go see for yourself. |
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| God bestowed you with scenic beauty, and natural resources to sustain your children Let no man put you asunder, and trample upon your tranquility; let no one destroy you again as in the case of Calancan Bay, for together with the fallen ones who fought and died in the "Battle of Pulang Lupa" we will rise as one in spirit, body and mind! the mighty and proud Marinduqenos... |
