San Isidro (Bagumbungan) Cave now under government protection

Congressman Lord Allan Velasco with his team in Bagumbungan Cave.

 Bagumbungan Cave in Brgy. San Isidro, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque popularly known as San Isidro Cave has been placed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under its list of protected caves to spare from exploitation.

The Philippine Government listed a total of 158 caves classified as protected areas with varying levels of protection classifications. DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2012-03 was issued pursuant to Republic Act No. 9072 otherwise known as the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act.

This latest move is intended to safeguard the caves from treasure-hunters, vandals and looters. Under the said Memorandum, caves classified as Class I are those with delicate and fragile geological formations, threatened species, archaeological and paleontological values and extremely hazardous conditions.

Class II caves are those with areas or portions which have hazardous conditions and contain sensitive geological, archaeological, cultural, historical and biological values or high quality ecosystem. In view of this, it may be necessary to seasonally or permanently close sections of caves under this classification.  Bagumbungan Cave which falls under this classification, is otherwise, open to experienced cavers or guided educational  tours and visits.

In 2009, this cave with an underground river was ‘discovered’ by a team from the provincial tourism office and cave enthusiasts from Sta. Cruz. To underline the importance of the find, particularly the need to protect it through the involvement of the community, combined LGU and DENR efforts were soon undertaken. The association of the cave for centuries with phantom stories believed in by the local community apparently contributed much to the preservation of its pristine condition and ecosystem. Local folks avoided entering the cave or even talking about it.

Dr. Antonio Uy, now Vice-Governor of  Marinduque with his team
during their 2009 visit to Bagumbungan Cave.

Among the first cavers on record to explore San Isidro Cave are then provincial administrator and tourism chairman, now Congressman Lord Allan Jay Q. and the Sta. Cruz municipal team of Dr. Antonio Uy, now vice-governor.  Educational tours and visits to the cave have since been coordinated with the office of Mayor Percival Morales of Sta. Cruz and the local barangay of San Isidro.

 San Isidro Cave was first featured in this video posted on YouTube 

by this blogger on July 15, 2009.

Wen cheers up guests

It’s getting to be a bit chilly and rainy these days in Marinduque. The sun was out, though, during a get-together for partymates hosted by Cong. Lord Allan Velasco and wife, Mrs. Rowena Kristina “Wen” Velasco last Saturday in Torrijos. A beaming Wen flashes a V-sign in this photo with Boac Mayor Roberto Madla and Sta. Cruz Mayor Percival Morales. The charming lady 's presence did cheer up the guests.

Sta. Cruz Sports Complex rising

Sta. Cruz Mayor Percival P. Morales with Cong. Lord Allan Velasco.
Mayor Percy Morales of Sta. Cruz has long dreamed of building a sports complex  in his town as venue for continued sports training programs and for the holding of bigger sports tournaments and other events. He conveyed his idea to Cong. Velasco who immediately committed support for the construction of the said sports facility.

By October 2011, a ground-breaking ceremony was held, graced by Velasco, Morales and Party List Representative Mark Aeron A. Sambar of Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), Velasco's colleague in Congress who was tapped for additional fund support.

Blueprint of the Sta. Cruz Sports Complex presented to Cong. Velasco.

A site owned by the Municipality of Sta. Cruz in Barangay Baliis was chosen  for the project, a move that excited officials and residents of the said barangay and nearby barangays who see the project as a new vehicle to boost tourism and economic development in their area. Velasco shown here during an earlier visit to the site.

Cong. Velasco and Cong. Sambar with Mayor Morales
during the ground-breaking ceremony in Oct. 2011.

The two congressmen have provided Php 5-million each from their respective Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) for the sports complex now on the rise.

MORYONAN 2012 (MARINDUQUE) is on!

The Battle of Morions conceptualized in 2009, by now Congressman Lord Allan Velasco goes on its fourth year with "MORYONAN 2012 (BATTLE OF MORIONS)". Traditional and modern day morions consisting of young people from Marinduque's six towns are given the chance to participate in this competition that requires them to come up with a choreographed marching drill or synchronized movement to the accompaniment of a drum and bugle corps or a musical group playing all-percussion instruments. (Some creative groups in the past have used kalutang, bamboo instruments and drums for this purpose).

Previous choreographed interpretations ranged from re-enacting the rituals undergone by Moryonan participants, to the role played by Roman soldiers during the Crucifixion and Resurrection with focus on Longhino, the blind centurion, to movements inspired by Roman battle scenes as portrayed in the movies.

For costumes, participants this year have been encouraged to incorporate local materials that are commonly used or are unique to their localities. It has been noted that while many participants still use wooden masks, masks made of papier-mache are extensively used for the Battle of Morions competition.

Prizes to be given are Php 80,000.00 (First Prize), Php 50,000.00 (2nd Prize), Php 30,000.00 (3rd prize) and consolation prize of Php 10,000.00 each to the 4th to the 10th placer.

Organized by Club Marinduqueno in cooperation with Congressman Lord Allan Velasco, Mayor Percival Morales and the Municipality of Sta. Cruz. Main event is on MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012,  at STA. CRUZ PLAZA at 3:00 pm.