The first Boy Scouts: When young and free Marinduquenos dared to explore and learn

 

Did you know? 

A Boy Scouts troop formation was documented in 1922 when 16-year old Celso Mirafuente, a student of Marinduque High School formed a troop in Boac, Marinduque based on a BSA handbook and clippings of Boys Life magazine that came into his possession. This led to the recognition of Mirafuente as the pioneer of Scouting in the province.

Through the initiative of the Rotary Club of Manila, in cooperation with other civic oriented groups like the Young Men’s Christian Association, Knights of Columbus, Masons, Elks, the Filipino and Chinese Chambers of Commerce, the United States Army, Catholic and Protestant Churches, and the American Legion, Scouting was officially established in the country as the Philippine Council of the Boy Scouts of the America (BSA). The Council was chartered as a first class council on December 27, 1923.

Note the above 1922 photo of the very first Filipino Boy Scouts 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.

NCCA now accepting proposals for 2023 competitive grants

  

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA), the overall policy making body, coordinating, and grants giving agency for the preservation, development and promotion of Philippine arts and culture, is now accepting proposal for the 2023 Competitive Grants until August 31, 2022. 

Section 12.a.4 of Republic Act 7356 [NCCA Charter] authorizes the Commission to give grants to artists and cultural groups which contribute significantly to the Filipino’s cultural legacy as means to extend artistic achievement. Further, Section 13.h of the same law mandates the Commission to administer the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA) and give grants for the development, protection, preservation and dissemination of Philippine culture and arts. 

The NCCA Competitive Grants Program is competitive in nature since the approval of project proposals pass through a rigorous and confidential evaluation process based on merit such as quality and relevance to Commission priorities. The projects are categorized per Subcommissions—Subcommission on the Arts (SCA); Subcommission on Cultural and Traditional Arts (SCCTA); Subcommission on Cultural Dissemination (SCD); and Subcommission on Cultural Heritage (SCH), and proponents interested in implementing projects in each category shall submit a Project Proposal following the requirements and shall be addressed and submitted to:

 

Program Management Division (PMD)

National Commission for Culture and the Arts

Room 5-C, Fifth Floor, NCCA Building

633 General Luna Street, Intramuros 1002 Manila, Philippines

Telephone Nos: (02) 8527-2192 (TL) loc. 509

Fax Nos: (02) 8527-2198 / (02) 8527-2209 / (02) 8527-2194

E-mail: ppmd@ncca.gov.ph

That's Boac's Raymond Kawataki Go: Kawataki’s time machine

 The artist travels to heaven and back through his masterpieces

In today's Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle page

An art restorer and conservator for more than two decades, Raymond Kawataki Go often wonders if he is overpainting the vintage piece he is trying to restore and transforming it into his own style. It is through this pondering that his thoughts started to travel. He decided to create seemingly whimsical pieces with a touch of modern and vintage in his “Time Machinne”, a collection that’s part of the three-man solo show 'Diskart 3s' at Cervio Art Haus in Pasig City.

"My creative process is experimenting with new ideas. My favorite moment in this exhibit is when I time traveled to the world of other artists, enjoying the idea and the experience,” he says talking about his coartists in the show Hessie Mondares and Francis Daniele Fajardo. 

Kawataki graduated from FEU College of Fine Arts and then later took Art History and Connosseurship under Professor Santiago Albano Pilar. His comprehensive knowledge of the worl of old masters came from his grandfather Paulino Go Chio, an avid collector of masterpieces from the 1820s to the 1920s.

After being inspired by his grandfather and mentor, Kawataki decided to forge his path as a painter, combining his intellect and interest in art and history into one, and even risking going beyond the styles he learned and becoming a social expressionist. 

”Of all the artworks, my favorite is the smallest artwork signed by Hidalgo, my  concept of overpainting the piece with my so-called Time Travel to Heaven with my mentor and connoissership teacher Santiago Albano Pilar and Irene Cometa, who supported me and my friends in promoting our art in exhibitions,” say Kawataki.

Despite being whimsical, Kawataki’s palette is dead, subdued, juxtaposed with small torches off striking colors. As you go through his well-thought-out details, you'll find the profound meaning of his pieces, the underlying symbolisms. 

“Being a social expressionist is still present  in my artworks but this time, I needed a twist of overlapping paintings with my own concept and style,” he says.

His talks about the abuse of power and money in government and politics. The painting shows how easily people can be fooled throughout history, from the very first president of the Philippines, Emilio Aguinaldo, to the present.

In a phrase that must’ve come put of every hungry and struggling Filipinos mouth. But the phrase falls on deaf ears because the peole shouting are merely chess pieces for the governments, pawns in a huge machine. The only hope left for people to progress in life is by working abroad, represented by the black-faced figure with a blank face that shows how these people accept the system because they do not have much choice. 

'My creative process is experimenting with new ideas'.

In the artists favorite Time Travel to Heaven are two portraits of his mentors Cometa and Plar. This piece is his collaboration with Felix Ressurection Hidalgo, over whose work featuring a balangay, a traditional Filipino boat, Kawataki painted. It represents the journey of the charactrs to another life while waiting for God to join them.

"I was born to be an artist. The drive has always been there, To all aspiring artists, my advice is to go beyond your style and explore your own creativity. One of the best parts of having an exhibit is when I showcase my new style,” he ends.

Diskart 3s runs until June 28 at the Cevio Art Haus, Pasig City.

This article first appeared in Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle

Speaker Velasco takes oath as Marinduque solon with Sara Duterte as guest of honor

House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has taken his oath as the re-elected Marinduque lone district representative in the 19th Congress while he shared the stage with Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio.

 

Outgoing House Speaker and re-elected Marinduque lone district Rep. Lord Allan Velasco takes oath beside VP-elect Sara Duterte (photo from House of Representatives Media)

Velasco has held this post from 2010 to 2013 in the 15th Congress; and then from 2016 consecutively In the 16th Congress into the incoming 19th incoming Congress.

He took oath at the Marinduque Sports Complex, Municipality of Boac, Marinduque Province before Supreme Court Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez; Duterte held the bible upon which Velasco swore his oath.

“Sa bawat pagsubok at hamon na ating kinaharap sa Kongreso, iisa lamang po ang aking pangunahing gabay— ang Pag-ibig. Pag-ibig sa Panginoon, Pag-ibig sa Bayan, at Pag-ibig sa Pamilya. Ito ang nagpapabangon sa atin tuwing umaga upang gawin ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang lalong bumuti ang kalagayan ng ating bayan at ng ating bansa (For every trial and tribulation faced by the Congress, there was only one guiding principle: Love. Love for God, for country, and for family. This is what got us up every morning in order to do what we could to improve the situation of our province and country),” Velasco said in his speech before the Marinduqueños present at his oath taking on Sunday, June 26.

“Ito rin po ang dahilan kung bakit lubos ang paghanga ko kay Mayor Inday. Dalisay po ang pag-ibig niya sa ating bayan. Isang probinsyanang Punong-Bayan na nakinig sa hiling ng mamamayan na maglingkod hindi lamang sa isang lungsod bagkus, sa buong bansa (This is what I admire most in Duterte. Her love for our country is pure. She is a provincial leader who listens to the voice of the people and serves not only the province but the entire country),” he continued.

Duterte, during the swearing in ceremony, asked that she be recognized as an “adopted daughter” of the Marinduque Province–a request which Velasco affirmed by asking that the Provincial Council resolve to recognize her as such.

He concluded his speech by issuing a reminder to the youth of Marinduque.

“At sa paglipas ng panahon, nais kong ipaalala sa mga kabataan, lalo na sa kabataan ng Marinduque, na ‘kaya natin;’ na huwag magduda at huwag maliitin ang pinanggalingan. Kaya nating mapabuti ang bayan, mapabuti ang ating pamayanan, mapabuti ang ating barangay at mga tahanan (As time goes on, I want to remind the youth, especially those of Marinduque: we can do this, don’t doubt or underestimate your origins. We can improve our province, our community, our barangays and our homes),” Velasco said.

“Kaya natin kahit ang tanging tangan lamang natin ay ang pananampalataya sa Panginoon, ang mabuting prinsipyo, at pagmamahal sa bayan. Kaya nating itakda ang sariling tadhana, dahil tayo ang susunod na pagbabago (We can do this through our faith in God, our principles, and love for country. We can forge our own destiny because we are the incoming change),” the outgoing House Speaker concluded.

This article first appeared in Manila Bulletin

Arts & Culture: Botong Francisco's Moriones Festival got P23M opening bid, setting record and sold for P35M

See how much you’d have to shell out for pieces by Philippine National Artists.

Leon Gallery, helmed by its founder and director Jaime Ponce de Leon, held its “Spectacular Mid-Year Auction” last June 11. During the weekend of Independence Day and the announcement of eight new National Artists, the afternoon made records in the Philippines art world.

Botong Francisco’s Moriones Festival (1966)

The event’s highlights include Carlos V. Francisco’s (Botong Francisco) Moriones Festival (1966) painting that sold for P35,040,000. De Leon told ANCx that it’s the third-highest painting sold for a Botong piece at auction.

 

Victorio Edades‘ Poinsettia Girl

With a one-go bid of P23 million, the Victorio Edades’ painting Poinsettia Girl set a record for Filipino National artists.

 L 

Clout Burst by Jose Joya 

Sold for: P5,139,200

Lady in Red (Portrait of Mable Reese Robertson) by Fernando Amorsolo

Sold for: P1,168,000

Tryst 83 by Lao Lianben

Sold for: P8,176,000

 

Mont-Saint-Michel by Oscar Zalameda

Sold for: P1,051,200

Sacred Mountain by Arturo Luz

 Sold for: P2,569,600

 

Flourishing Growth by Ramon Orlina

 Sold for: P1,518,400

 

Dark Plant by Ang Kiukok

 Sold for: P1,600,000

 

Still Life with Rose and Apples by Frederico Aguilar Alcuaz

 Sold for: P1,868,800

 

Dusk Flower by Juvenal Sanso

 Sold for: P1,985,600

 

Different Tunes by Emmanuel Garibay

 Sold for: P1,635,200

 

Images from leon-gallery.com

This article first appeared on Life Style Asia

Marinduque tourism infrastructure and new hotels, restaurants gearing up as tourism reopens

By-pass road in Boac includes the on-going construction of Santol-Lupac Bridge. 

This photo courtesy of Jkristian Dpaz

In Marinduque during the last decade, provincial and national government have invested quite aggressively in the development of needed infrastructure. Such that there’s probably little catching up to do now with neighboring provinces. 

A momentum has gathered all in support of serious tourism promotion and economic development initiatives.

For example, the new road project from the mountains of Boac to the steep slopes in Torrijos that has simply remained a pipe dream for more than six decades is nearing completion now. That includes the building of two bridges.

Boac interior through Brgy. Tumagabok, once regarded so remote it was seriously dreamt about only by politicos in the mid 60’s to establish a separate town there, but it never came to pass.

Now, barangays Hinapulan, Sabong and others in Boac to the West and Talawan, Sibuyao in Torrijos to the East are seeing four lane road projects in place.

Sections of the new winding road from Boac to Torrijos

NEDA has reported that in 2016, in support to the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program, the provincial government of Marinduque strengthened the improvement of core and priority rural roads in the province.

Most of the priority road infrastructures of the provincial government  led to production and tourism areas.

In 2018, two road projects, the Caigangan-Bagtingon Road in Buenavista was accomplished, as well as the Boac-Mogpog via Tagwak-Danao, Mataas na Bayan Road.

New road construction and upgrading undertaken was the eight kilometer long Balanacan–Hinanggayon Road in Mogpog providing easy access to the Luzon Datum Marker of 1911, now a major tourist attraction, a convergence project of the DOT and DPWH.

With the new tourism access road built with an approximate cost of 180 million pesos (Phases 1 and 2), Luzon Datum has gained more visitors who want to experience a leisurely trip and capture souvenir photos taken right at the center of the Philippines.

Luzon Datum Marker is the geodetic reference center of the Philippines where all geodetic surveys in the country are referenced from, not to mention the reference point of all geographic positioning systems (GPS) in the globe.

Road to Luzon Datum

By-pass roads from Matandang Gasan to Pangi and Boac-Mogpog are on-going.  When completed, one can leave Buenavista and drive straight to Balanacan Pier without passing through the town propers of Gasan, Boac and Mogpog.

Other roads leading to and connecting tour destinations have also been recently completed: Brgys. Argao, Guisian Mogpog to Botilao (Sayao Bay,Hacupan Island); Brgy. San Isidro (Bagumbungan Cave) to Brgy Ipil (Bathala Cave), to name some.

Access is crucial in tourism development, hence, travel to and from Marinduque is also a concern: More seaports have been constructed and airport development for a bigger one is in the pipeline as well.

Marelco currently has supply capacity of 15 megawatts including the power barge to meet the peak load capacity of about 13 megawatts.  There is also a 3-megawatts generator in Torrijos currently in the testing phase that would increase the power supply in Marinduque.

PLDT has started connecting Marinduque to Batangas via submarine cable as it continues to improve telco service in the island-province following fiber optic deployment and clamor for it. 

.

Encouraged by these strong official and private sector initiatives, developers have come in to invest some more in tourist facilities like hotels, resorts and restaurants.

We see the likes of new establishments in Boac, the capital town, such as Balar Resort and Spa, Hotel Marinduque, Hotel Zenturia, Marina Marinduque Hotel and Resort, Freedom Eco-Adventure Park, Happyroo Hotel and Restaurant in Gasan and Amara Resort and Beach Villas in Torrijos among others.

Balar Hotel and Spa

Hotel Zenturia

Noteworthy among newly established restaurants include Villa Negro in Argao, Mogpog, and there are  many more food establishmenrs in all the six municipalities.

Villa Negro Cafe in Argao, Mogpog

Other photos: Screenshots from BaRuzkie Reynes vids

Also read:

BBM family Marinduque visit; Call to push real tourism and pull all mining threats altogether

Bishop Junie Maralit: Poll results a 'slap in Church's face'

 

Bishop Junie Maralit

An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Friday the outcome of the last elections is "a slap in the face" of the Church's local hierarchy.

Boac Marinduque Bishop and CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communication Chairman Marcelino Antonio Maralit expressed his view in an interview posted in Caritas Philippines website.

The Church tacitly endorsed the presidential run of Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo, referring to her as "the moral choice." Robredo lost badly to Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Maralit said the question now is "whether we have lost our voice as the hierarchy of the Church." "What happened to our voice? Is it because we're not that credible anymore, and sometimes it's very hard and very painful to ask that question, but credibility when it's a moral choice is based on your own moral ascendancy," he said.

Another possible explanation why the Catholic Church failed to convince the faithful into making the moral choice is that its hierarchy may already be "disconnected with our people," he said.

Maralit admitted that the results of the election is a "slap in the face to wake [the Church hierarchy] up to the reality that we should be really re-thinking about."

"Maybe we still have the morality and the moral ascendancy but our message does not reach the people... maybe we are not speaking the same language," the bishop said.

 

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. 

Bishop Maralit is Chairman of CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communication 

"Maybe we have already failed them by not listening to them," he added. "The election is just a phase of what our people were already telling us. It's really hard to give your message when the person is already disconnected and I think that is another question that we have to ask."

The Church must accept the challenge "to be instruments of not bringing out the message but bringing in the message to the church from the people," he added.

The trust of the people in the Church has never changed, said Maralit.

"When it comes to the pandemic response, specifically on relief, the people really trusted the Church because we were never questioned when it comes to relief."

Maralit believes this all changed when it comes to governance which was based on disinformation.

"Because the question on whether [Marcos] is credible or not was all based on information and now that was the issue that was played," Maralit said. "And that is where disinformation really did its damage to the Filipino people, I believe."

"So all the narratives that were supposed to create mistrust and distrust on the type of governance that he will offer were already changed because of disinformation which really worked," he said.

He said it is time for the Church to strategize.

"It's really not the problem of the Church. It's just something that we live by. We react. We usually respond when there is a problem. Instead of being proactive, sometimes we are always late. We have to also be preventive. In the sense that we should really start strategizing," Maralit said.

"After this, what do we say about the truth? How do we re-educate our people not only about the truth but also about their values? As a Church we really need to re-assess ourselves, especially the leaders and to rise from the ashes," he said.

This article first appeared in The Manila Times

Diocese asks next admin to declare Marinduque as ‘mining-free’ zone

 The Mogpog River in Marinduque province is one of the few tributaries of Mogpog town’s main watershed area. The river has suffered from recurring floods due to siltation caused by the collapse of the Marcopper Mining Corporation’s Maguilaguila siltation dam in 1993. Photo courtesyof Alyansa Tigil MIna

 

A Catholic bishop hinted his diocese will appeal to the incoming government to declare the island province of Marinduque a mining-free zone. 

Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr. of Boac said the plan is to write to the Marcos administration to help them in their campaign to rotect the island’s environment and communities. 

“Then we will ask the national government to declare the province of Marinduque as mining-free,” Maralit said in a video interview with Caritas Philippines. 

According to him, about 83 percent of the small island is “mineable”. “And if we let the miners in, nothing will be left of the island,” he said. 

Marinduque is known as a cautionary tale about the environmental ravages of mining.

After the Marcopper mining tragedy in 1993, Mogpog River has been considered biologically dead, which, prior to the disaster, was valuable natural resource to villages along the river. 

Heavily silted with mine tailings, Boac River also suffered the same fate in 1996. 

Last month, a local court ordered the Marcopper Mining Corp. to pay damages claimed by persons affected by the country’s worst mining disaster. 

The mining firm was directed to pay P200,000 as temperate damages, P100,000 moral damages, and P1 million as exemplary damages to at least 30 plaintiffs. 

But the bishop called it only a ‘small victory’, adding that more cases against Marcopper remain pending for many years now. 

“There is still a long way to go for a total victory,” Maralit said.”But this small victory gives courage for all those who advocate for environmental justice.”

This article first appeared on CBCP News.

Also read a look back from March 2019:

Marinduque could soon be declared a mining-free zone

BBM family Marinduque visit; Call to push real tourism and pull all mining threats altogether

BBM family Marinduque visit; Call to push real tourism and pull all mining threats altogether

 

BBM and sons visit Bishop Rey Evamgelista at the Diocese of Boac. The disasters wrought by mining must have been recalled during the visit.

 

In April 2010, our newly-elected President Bongbong Marcos visited Marinduque, the Heart of the Philippines. To have a glimpse of the Holy Week traditions here.

He then gave a statement before the world that this island-paradise should be promoted as a major tourist destination, citing its vast resources and its natural beauty.

“Marinduque is known worldwide for its colorful Moriones Festival and that’s good, but it has so much more to offer…  that we must and will capitalize on to boost tourism, spur economic activities, and uplift the quality of lives of Marinduquenos”, BBM said.

Would-be First Lady, Liza,  with sister, Irene and BBM sons Sandro, Vincent and Simon  meet the Moriones.

I was in the middle of rehearsals to mount my passion play in Buenavista, when this blogger was suddenly tasked by the late Gov. Bong Carrion to which I of course, obliged to coordinate their visit with the municipalities.

Due to the tight schedule, the BBM family did not get to see a world-class resort here at that time, but which due to problems with the outdated airport eventually had to close down also.

But by May of the same year, CNN International reported that Marinduque could very well be “the next tourist hotspot in Asia”.

“For years, Marinduque has been under the foreign tripper’s radar, but not for long if politicos and developers have their way. The laid-back island province is now being touted as the Philippines’ next holiday haven”, CNN reported.

“Luzon officials are also on a crusade to raise the area’s public profile”, and quoted BBM who said, “once the Marinduque air and sea ports are modernized, larger volume of local and foreign tourists can be lured to visit its little-known but awesome white sand beaches”.

Well, it is local politicos and private developers in Marinduque who had their way since then, paving the way for BBM to consider revisiting Marinduque now to see what has transpired here in terms of tourism infrastructure. (He and Inday Sara missed the province during the campaign).

Both candidates won here and throughout MIMAROPA also, you know.

 

Call for BBM

May we say to President BBM, that his wish for “the chance to lead efforts to make it a key tourism destination” really needs a little, just a little more push this time. 

Just a little lovin’.

Please come again soonest Mr. President.  But, but, before coming, be reminded that this tourism related dream of Marinduquenos and yours, too, may not truly come to pass if...

You see, there are yet unresolved issues that went on and on during the term of all seven presidents before you (unfortunately), in connection with protecting our people from the ravages of irresponsible mining. Sickness and death included.

But all our six municipalities, without exception in having their realization, have now joined persistent calls that lasted decades to declare small island-Marinduque a mining free-zone.

So, Mr. President, kindly push for real tourism here now, and decisively help pull all mining risks and threats in Marinduque altogether for once.

Marinduquenos are joyful in cheering for you! And we're not called the Heart of the Philippines for nothing.

Welcome back in advance!

Incumbent Boac Mayor Armi Carrion, the late Gov. Bong Carrion, Bongbong Marcos, Vice-Gov. Tom Pizarro

Also read:

Diocese asks next admin to declare Marinduque as ‘mining-free’ zone

BBM's wish for his chance to make Marinduque key tourism destination has finally come

 

Marinduque's Putong and Moryonan traditions with BBM family and sister Irene

“Marinduque should be promoted as a major tourism destination in Luzon because of its vast resources and natural beauty”, said then Ilocos Norte Rep. and then senatorial candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The recently elected President of the Republic of the Philippines fondly called BBM was visiting the province with his family to get a glimpse of the Moriones and some tourist attractions.

“Marinduque is a diamond in the rough, and I am looking forward to the chance to lead efforts to make it a key tourism destination through the establishment of modern infrastructure,” he said.

“Once the Marinduque air and seaports are modernized, a larger volume of local and foreign tourists can be lured to visit its little-known but awesome white sand beaches, dive sites, trekking and hiking trails…” he said.

“Marinduque is known worldwide for its colorful Moriones Festival and that’s good, but it has so much more to offer in terms of world-class attractions and facilities that we must and will capitalize on to boost tourism, spur economic activities, and uplift the quality of lives of Marinduquenos,” Marcos said.

Sandro and BBM in Marinduque

All these were quotes from BBM in 2010, during a visit to Marinduque with his family with sister, Irene joining.

Marcos was pushing for a bigger airport and sea port in Marinduque to allow more local and international direct flights and cruise liners to come in.

But since then, thanks to the spirited efforts of then Representative and current House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco,  the people of the province has not seen numerous major roads and bridges and modern infrastructure  during the last 10 years as they have seen and continue to see now in the ‘Heart of the Philippines’.

The Speaker was joined by his father, Gov. Presby Velasco, Jr. only during the last three years as Governor with both father and son emerging victorious in the recent elections, the Governor through a resounding landslide victory and the Speaker through an uncontested victory.

BBM’s wish for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to lead efforts to make Marinduque a key tourism destination, therefore, has finally come.  It is now.

We distinctly remember that and this we await to be fulfilled!

BBM, Irene and former provincial administrator Juan Roberto Abling

On Casa Narvas as a Heritage House in Boac

One of the most prominent heritage houses in the town of Boac is Casa Narvas and is located at Gov. D. Reyes Street. The NHI has cited that "the house is distinct for its historical and artistic values and today is an example of architecture from the early years of the twentieth century in Boac, Marinduque".

Casa Narvas in Boac, Marinduque. Heritage House.

So what's the story behind Casa Narvas, the only 'Heritage House', so declared by the National Historical Institute in 2007, that has survived the devastating Boac Fire of July 2, 2018?

Volunteer firefighters saving Casa Narvas (in photo), located only a few meters away from the burning Don Piroco Mansion. Photo: Pongkoy Manrique

It was built in 1920, by Elias Narvas, a local coconut trader in those bygone years, and was called ‘bahay na bato’ also characterized by its massive red hardwood flooring, a balaustre and an azotea of Spanish and Chinese influence. It’s design included capiz-shelled sliding windows and stained glass walls.

Narvas’ wife was named Vicenta Miciano Narvas and the house is said to have been built in memory of Bartolome and Hilda Narvas, Elias’ parents.

During those years it became a hub for social and political gatherings being in the town center. Some dignitaries both foreign and local have dropped by this house to attend a ceremony or to be hosted for a while as house guests.

Among these eminent personalities were Leonard Wood who was Governor-General of the Philippines  from 1921-1927, former Philippine Presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Jose P. Laurel, Manuel A. Roxas and Elpidio Quirino.

Gov.-Gen. Leonard Wood

An entry in NHI records also stated that Manuel A. Roxas organized the nucleus of his Liberal Party in this house. Roxas was the fifth President of the Philippines who served from 1946 until his death in 1948. Quirino succeeded Roxas when the latter died while in office and was recorded as a house guest.

Pres. Elpidio Quirino

Jose P. Laurel, who became president during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines had been likewise, hosted by Casa Narvas.

Pres. Jose P. Laurel

In its declaration of Casa Narvas as a Heritage House, the NHI had stated that “as the venue of political meets and social balls, it stands as testimony to the cultural and political life of Boac, Marinduque”. 

It also cited that “the house is distinct for its historical and artistic values and today is an example of architecture from the early years of the twentieth century in Boac, Marinduque”.

Based on recent information, the original owners Elias and Vicenta Miciano Narvas had a son, Gregorio Narvas, who died at an early age of 27. Gregorio had 3 children: Sonia, Violeta and Gregorio Jr. and are the owners of the house. .

NHI marker at Casa Narvas