Thursday, May 31, 2012

BATTLE OF THE BANDS in MOGPOG a SMASH!



Battle of the Bands, Marinduque style, is an off-and-on staged local competition in which many bands playing a range of different styles compete. This may be held anywhere in the island's six towns. A panel of judges and 'audience impact' determine the winner.

Above photo: Lead vocalist ALGER MARCIANO of "PIPE REGGAE"

The recent Battle of the Bands competition in Mogpog invited local bands from this town and nearby Boac 'just for fun' (katuwaan lamang), but it surprisingly drew eleven strong band groups. The event was part of Mogpog's Flores de Mayo celebration.

In photo: ALIBABA

Each band was required to play a love song and their free choice of song, that may be an original  or popular piece. Ability to arrange the order of songs in such a way that excitement's built up is rated, as well as stage presence and rapport with the audience.

In photo: PIPE REGGAE

Instrumental arrangement and harmony, together with vocal quality and clarity of lyrics are  likewise considered.

In photo: LA VENDETTA

New wave, pop rock, punk rock, funk, metal or jazzreggae bands they may be, their stage actions and identifiable style come into play.

In  photo: PONY TAIL

The panel of judges: Atty. TRICIA NICOLE Q. VELASCO-CATERA (Judicial Staff Head, OAJ Velasco), Atty. MONTANO T. NAZARIO, JR. (Chief of Staff, Office of Congressman Velasco) and Mr. ELI J. OBLIGACION (Consultant, Marinduque Congressional District Office).

Part of the mammoth crowd that came to watch and stayed till past midnight.

The program started at 7:30 p.m. and lasted till 12:30 a.m.

VINCENT MICHAEL "MIKE" VELASCO playing with his band as guest performers.

Stand-up comedians ATE GUY and BOOBAY were also there to entertain the audience, their funny spiels well-received.

'TITA BABY' , Mrs. LORNA QUINTO-VELASCO (Hermana), WEN (Cong's fiancee), and CONG. VELASCO  (Hermano).



The Unanimous Choice as CHAMPION:  PIPE REGGAE.
They performed "KALAYAAN" by Peacepipe and "SORRY NA, PWEDE BA?" by Brownman Revival.
... they now also hold bragging rights as Battle of the Bands Champion.

1st RUNNER UP: "NO NAME"

2nd RUNNER-UP: "GILINGGITING" 

PIPE REGGAE: Solid rhythm, winning style.
Battle of the Band performers were: PONY TAIL, OVERDUE, BETAMAX, PIPE REGGAE, AZCARIAH, GILINGGITING, LA VENDETTA, KANOPHI, ALIBABA, REDEMTIONISTA and NO NAME

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Perstaym Filipino Boy Scouts, 1922

1922 photo of the very first Filipino Boy Scouts and this unit was formed in Marinduque. In those days there was almost absolute freedom for the young and the adventurous to dare to explore and to learn. 

This Marinduque Boy Scouts preceded the founding of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines in 1923. It was organized by a 16-year old boy from Boac, Celso Mirafuente, who was inspired upon getting a copy of Handbook for Boys of the Boy Scouts of America and clippings of Boy's Life magazine.
The existence of the group surprised American Governor General in the Philippines, Leonard Wood, who kept a diary and wrote therein the following entry on December 10, 1922:

"We arrived off Boac about five o'clock or a bit afterwards and were met on the beach by the Governor, the Provincial Treasurer, the Judge of the Court of First Instance, the Mayor of the town, and a number of local officials, and also by about 25 or 30 boy scouts, an organization made up of young men of, I should say, 15 to 20 years of age. They were armed with wooden guns, carrying the American and Filipino flags and also a flag of their own company. They are full of enthusiasm and I did everything to encourage them by showing an appreciation of their turning out. Told them that I hoped that every boy in the Philippines of proper age and character would belong to the Boy Scouts; that we should soon have military training in the schools and colleges; that I felt the Boy Scout organization would have a fine influence throughout the Islands; all of which pleased them very much, and all of which I meant in all sincerity..."

A few days later came out in the Manila Times issue of December 13, 1922, the following entry: "Boy Scouts Unit praised by Chief Executive" "-xxx. He also mentioned the reception accorded to him in Boac, Marinduque, by a company of some 30 boy scouts who, he said "made an excellent showing".
Photo and source documents courtesy of Mr. Ernesto Sotto, BSP MARINDUQUE. 

Above photo shows: 1st Row: Scouters GAUDENCIO LEONIDA, ARTURO STO. DOMINGO, MANUEL MORENO, LUIS ALINO, EFREN JABAT, JOSE GARCIA 
& HILARIO NEPOMUCENO.
2nd Row: Scouters SANTIAGO LUZ, JOSE MARAPIA, ENRIQUE NEPOMUCENO, EUFEMIO ROSAS, ARTURO MARIPOSQUE & GREGORIO MONTALES.
3RD rOW: Scouters TOMAS ANGELES, NAZARIO MANAY, CELSO MIRAFUENTE (Organizer), PEDRO DEL MUNDO (Adviser) & JOSE RIVERA.
4th Row: Scouters BENITO ABAD LUKBAN, MARTIN MONLEON, PERFECTO MIRAFUENTE, IGNACIO ARAULLO and LEON MANDIA.

Biggel visits Marinduque colleges, continues to inspire youth

Joseph Biggel visited two Marinduque colleges yesterday. The first was Educational Systems Technological  Institute (ESTI), where he enrolled in 2010 but dropped out for financial reasons. ESTI staff turned over to him all school requirements to enable him to enroll in a Manila college that recently offered a 100% scholarship to help him realize his goal of earning a college degree. 

Biggel later paid a courtesy visit to the administrative staff of Marinduque State College (MSC) whose students and staff extended support to him through text voting when he was still a housemate in the country's popular yellow house,
the Pinoy Big Brother house.
Biggel receives his school credentials from the ESTI staff as this blogger looks on. The staff also shared with Biggel how they followed his PBB adventures never giving up on their support to him.

Faculty and staff of Marinduque State College (MSC) were pleasantly surprised with Biggel's unannounced
courtesy visit to MSC yesterday.

An official administrative meeting was temporarily suspended to give way to a brief, impromptu and light-hearted open forum where Biggel answered questions ranging from his feelings toward PBB love interest, Tin Patrimonio, his 'perstaym' experiences, his toughest experiences at the PBB House, his willingness to act as Tourism Ambassador for Marinduque, if ever, and his college plans.

Biggel expressed his gratitude for all support and the kind words from the school's officials about his being an inspiration to the Marinduque youth, particularly to the less fortunate ones. A move was undertaken during the meeting to make formal and official, through a college resolution, MSC's appreciation of Biggel's drive to follow his dreams and succeed, serving as an inspiration to many from this 

island-province. 

Biggel on the Runway


Friday, May 25 at MALL OF ASIA:


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Biggel at the court!


The much-awaited basketball invitational with Congressman Lord Allan Velasco and Joseph Biggel of PBB Season 4 attracted a huge crowd at the Mogpog Covered Court. This game saw Biggel fans screaming out loud the moment he stepped into the court. The popular PBB ex-housemate was then besieged by fans wanting his autograph or their photos taken with him.

The bedimpled Promdihirang Tisoy ng Marinduque.
No doubt about it, Biggel simply attracts fans of all ages, probably why he could hardly say no to those excited fans approaching him with their celphones or digi-cams for that
'picture picture please!'



Then there was a sense of uneasiness in the crowd when an unsmiling referee approached Biggel and briskly led him to the scorer's table where some basketball staff were seated.
It was their turn for souvenir shots with Biggel 
lang naman pala. 
Shouts of 'Biggel' turned to 'gigil, gigil' and there was laughter!  

It appears that neither team was under extreme pressure throughout the friendly match as the crowd cheered for Biggel. But the equally good-looking Congressman Velasco also got loud cheers from the crowd with his fast break attacks.

The members of TEAM VELASCO. Congressman Velasco (in blue jersey flashing the V-sign) and Biggel at the center.

Velasco at the court.
.
The opponents: TEAM VELASCO vs. LIGA NG MGA BARANGAY (LNMB)

The mood of the evening with everyone smiling with Biggel and Velasco, this photo was taken during a break.

Biggel at the court.
Scoreboard during the last ten minutes:
Velasco Team, 73; LNMB , 66

Team Velasco with Biggel started well and controlled the game from start up to the last two minutes. 

The final scoreboard reading.

Things changed when the score was suddenly tied at 
83-83 during the last two minutes.
So the match played at the Mogpog Covered Court last night ended up with Liga ng mga Barangay beating Team Velasco 87-83.


And Biggel was besieged by the fans again after the game.
Seen last night: Cong. Velasco's fiancee, Wen.

Overheard from this fan: "Kumusta na si Tin?"


Most definitely an enjoyable basketball evening with 
Velasco Team and Biggel, an evening of absolute "GV" (good vibes).
Till the next invitational with Biggel, then!

Some Mogpog Flores de Mayo pics

Biggel was simply amazed with the response of Mogpog residents upon seeing him, he could only mutter "grabe, grabe talaga!". Many from far-away barangays missed him during his homecoming but this time they made sure that they were in town, some coming from as far as Sumangga and Sayao just to see him and take photos. 
CHRISELDA MONSANTO was REINA DE LOS MARTIRES

Biggel's Barong was made of sinamay and abaca adorned with coco-shells, also used as buttons, with matching handwoven hat and sandals. His Barong and the Filipiniana-inspired dress of Ms. Evangeline Ranoso were designed by Buddy Reyes of Lucena City.

GLADYS GERLY JOY AREVALO was REINA DE LOS PROFETAS




JOY HENDRICKSON as REINA DEL CIELO with Escort MIKE VELASCO

JEAN SAGUID was REINA DEL ROSARIO, escorted by ERICK ANTHONY SAN JUAN


JENICA RAMIRO as REINA DE LOS CONFESORES


JEANLIE MENDOZA (MUTYA NG MARINDUQUE 2012) was REINA DE LA PAZ,
escorted by LAUREN ROSALES  of Sta. Cruz.

ANNA J. LUNA of Mogpog was REINA DE LAS FLORES, escorted by CLARK MYREN



Monday, May 28, 2012

Bingo Social Mogpog Style

Part of the Mogpog Flores de Mayo activities was the holding of a Bingo Social. At least 500 Bingo cards were distributed free of charge on a first-come first-served basis to those interested to join. Each player was entitled to only one bingo card good for twenty games.  

Emcee Primo Pamintuan of Torrijos, shown here with his bingo game assists.

Players have fun  sitting on the floor Indian-style.

...and wait for their lucky numbers.

The Bingo started at 5:00 pm and lasted till 10:00 pm to win cash prizes up to Php 1,000.00, grocery items in special packages, a Nokia cellphone, a Washing machine with Dryer, and a 32" Flat Screen TV.. thank God it's Friday!

Lorena Bunag of Market Site Mogpog won this TV set in the foreground.