Araw ng Marinduque, February 21, 2019: Provincial Ordinance No. 81-2009, Alab ng Puso ng Pilipinas' and Festivals

Exactly ten years ago, An Ordinance Declaring February Twenty-One of Every Year as "Araw ng Marinduque" was adopted on January 28, 2009, by the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Marinduque. Its sponsor was former board member, Yolando R. Querubin.

Section 1 of the said Provincial Ordinance No. 81 (Resolution No. 534-2009), stated thus:

Section 1. DECLARATION. In commemoration of the re-establishment of Marinduque as an independent province on February 21, 1920, through Act. No. 2880 signed by then American Governor-General Francis Burton Harrion, the 21st day of February of every year is hereby declared as the "Araw ng Marinduque".

Section 2 of the said Ordinance stated in part:

Section 2. BRIEF POLITICAL HISTORY. 

"... On May 1, 1901, the United States-Philippine Commission (The Philippine Commission was a body appointed by the President of the United States to exercise legislative and limited executive powers in 1901, acting as the upper house of a bicameral legislature, with the elected Philippine Assembly acting as lower house. The Jones Act of 1916 later created an elected Philippine Senate to replace the Philippine COmmission), passed Act No. 125 which created the Province of Marinduque, composed of the islands of Marinduque and the adjacent small islands. The provincial government was established in the municipality of Boac, the capital.

By virtue of Act No. 423, dated June 23, 1902, the US-Philippine Commission annexed the island of Mindoro, uncluding the island of Lubang (then separated from Cavite), to the Province of Marinduque. Boac remained as the capital of the consolidated provinces.

Four months later, on November 10, 1902, by virtue of Act No. 499, Marinduque was made a part of the Province of Tayabas, the present Quezon. On  May 17, 1907, under Act. No. 1649, the Commission made Marinduque a sub-province of Tayabas with Juan Nieva as Lieutenant Governor.

Finally on February 21, 1920, Act No. 2880, sponsored in the Lower House by elected representative Ricardo Paras of Marinduque, separated the sub-province of Marinduque from Tayabas and re-established the former Province of Marinduque. That law was signed by American Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison."

Interestingly, there is a Section 3 Contestability Clause in said Ordinance that reads:

Section 3. Contestability Clause. Any person or entity/organization who might find that February 21, 1920 was not the exact date when Act No. 2880 was signed into law may contest this Ordinance upon presentation of validated documents and evidences.

Here follows the document that serves as evidence of the exact date when Act No. 2880 was signed into law. Source: Official Gazette issue of 17 March 1920, Vol XVIII No. 11 showing a copy of Executive Order No. 12 signed by Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison. 

ORDENES EJECUTIVAS.

OFICINA DEL GOBERNADOR GENERAL DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS

Manila, 21 de febrero de 1920.

ORDEN EJECUTIVA}

          No. 12           }

De conformided con las disposiciones de la Ley Numero Dos mil ochicientos ochenta, aprobada el veintiuno de febrero de mil novecientos veinte, por la presente erijo en provincia la Antigua Provincia de Marinduque, desde el dia veintidos de febrero de mil novecientos veinte, y declaro vigentes en toda su fuerza y vigor, a partir de esa fecha, las disposiciones de dicha Ley Numero Dos mil ochocientos ochenta.
                                                                 FRANCIS BURTON HARRISON,
                                                                                Gobernador General.

 "In accordance with the provisions of Act Number Two thousand eight hundred eighty, (Act No. 2880), approved on the twenty-first day of February of one thousand nine hundred and twenty, (February 21, 1920), I hereby establish as a province the former Province of Marinduque, as of February 22nd, one thousand nine hundred and twenty, and declare valid in all its force and vigor, as of that date, the provisions of said Act Number Two thousand eight hundred and eighty."

(On which date should be adopted, the date of approval or date of effectivity, the NHCP in the matter concerning the correct date of the foundation day of the municipality of Buenavista, Marinduque stated that the NHCP Board earlier on on March 27, 2017, has resolved "to adopt in all cases” the date of approval “as its foundation date instead of the charter’s date of effectivity” on the basis of the latter date being merely procedural”.)

Front page of "Gaceta Oficial" Vol. XVIII No. 11, dated 17 Marzo de 1920 showing the page where Executive Order No. 12 "erigiendo en provincia la antigua Provincia de Marinduque" (page 529), could be found

Ani ng Dangal Awarding Ceremonies

Ani ng Dangal Awards

(With this year's Cannes Film Festival Best Director, Brillante Mendoza)


Last Friday, President Gloria Arroyo honored Filipino artists and groups who have won gold medals and championships in international competitions in 2009, in the NCCA's “Ani ng Dangal” awards held at the Rizal Hall of Malacanan Palace.

A total of 41 awardees - twelve in music, nine in film, seven in multi- disciplinary arts, six in visual arts, four in dance, and two in literary arts were given the prestigious accolade for their exemplary performances.

(Above photo: Gov. Bong Carrion at the Palace)

Some notable recipients of the prestigious “Ani ng Dangal” Award were Brillante Mendoza (62nd Cannes Film Festival–Best Director for Kinatay), Rhap Salazar (13th World Championships of Performing Arts–Grand Champion Performer of the World, and Champion, Vocal–Junior Division). Halili-Cruz School of Ballet, Rhosam Prudenciado, Quezon City Ballet Mobbstarr: Dice and K9 and 7 year old Hamza Marbella, the youngest Filipino painter.

“Ani ng Dangal” is organized by the NCCA through its chairman, Education Under- secretary Vilma Labrador, and NCCA Executive Director and PA on Culture Cecile Guidote Alvarez in line with the celebration of the National Arts Month.

(This blogger at Malacanang's Rizal Hall during the awards ceremonies).

"Walang Sugat" Overture

Opening scene from the sarswela that returned to Marinduque after more than a hundred years since the show was premiered in 1902. The Boac and Gasan audience that watched the show last Feb. 18 and 19 were all praises, with many able to see both shows in the two towns.

Requests have been conveyed by some municipal leaders to the office of the governor to undertake steps so that the musical play could also be brought to the other Marinduque towns.

The Philippine International Arts Festival 2010 formally ends on Feb. 26 with the holding of "Ani ng Dangal" awards at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang, with Gov. Carrion, Mayor Vicky Lao Lim and "Araw ng Marinduque" organizers invited as guests.

"WALANG SUGAT" IN MARINDUQUE FEB. 18-19!

It’s the Father of Filipino Sarswela, Severino Reyes’ unforgettable masterpiece. First and last performed in Marinduque on December 8, 1902, on the occasion of the Boac Town Fiesta celebration, wtih the future president of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon, then Fiscal of Tayabas, as special guest. (The sarswela has since been made into a movie twice and presented live in big halls in the metro including the CCP and UP theaters).

That singular performance came only when peace reigned at last in Marinduque after continued armed conflict with the Spanish casadores and, and after the infamous Philippine-American war episode in the island that Phil. Commissioner William H. Taft, (also future U.S. president), described as one where severe treatment of inhabitants occured and one that “would not look well if a complete history of it were written out”.

The “Walang Sugat” libretto was first published in 1898, instantly gaining fame when the sarswela company, “Gran Compania de Manila” mounted it amid controversy. It was the same group that performed in Boac before a capacity crowd.

The play documents the untold suffering of Filipinos against an oppressive and unjust regime of Spanish elite, underlying the abuses committed by the friars. Change came not without extreme sacrifices; glimmers of hope came only after the people rose up in arms.

108 years later today, the same patriotic material is being brought to the shores of Marinduque at a time when a similar opportunity for political change is unfolding. The same question’s being asked: will we rise to the occasion and do our part to effect the change we’ve always wanted?

"Walang Sugat," revolves around the lives of young lovers Tenyong and Julia amid the cruelty of Spanish friars. Set in the final leg of the Philippine Revolution, Tenyong must leave behind his childhood sweetheart Julia to join the Katipunan. With no word from Tenyong, Julia is pressured by her mother to marry the wealthy Miguel, an episode interrupted by the return of a fatally wounded Tenyong, who conveys a dying wish.

This sarswela was the vehicle for the song “Bayan Ko”, made more popular during the 1986 People Power Revolution, the anniversary of which we mark on Monday, Feb. 22nd.

The Marinduque performances will be brought unto life by Gawad CCP Para sa Sining Awardee, Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 pm at the Boac Moriones Arena and on Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 pm at the Gasan Municipal Court.The Barasoain Kalinangan is known for utilizing traditional art forms in its works such as awit, sayaw, balagtasan, moro-moro, senakulo, kundiman and sarswelang Tagalog.

“Walang Sugat” stars Rey Clement Maaliao as Tenyong, Karren Uaje as Julia, Ron Mariano as Miguel with Maria Ireen Crisostomo, Rowel Escalante, Crystal Mendonza, James Dimagiba, Joseph Rejoso, Melandro Pascual, Wilfredo Alberto, Christopher Adriano, Lemuel Galman, Egie Boy Galman, Ryan Managbanag and a rousing 12-member koro.

Spearheaded by Gov. Jose Antonio Carrion, the "Walang Sugat" performance is the third annual Philippine International Arts Festival and "Araw ng Marinduque" project undertaken by the Provincial Government of Marinduque in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA).

90th ANNIVERSARY OF "ARAW NG MARINDUQUE" & PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2010

For 19 years now, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in cooperation with the Department of Education, Department of Tourism, cultural organizations and LGUs, has been organizing the National Arts Month (NAM), now referred to as the Philippine International Arts Festival (PIAF), every February with a series of festivities and activities mounted throughout the country. It celebrates Filipino artistry and promotes the arts and the artists.

PIAF brings together thousands of artists from all over the country to cultivate love for the arts and preserve culture in line with the UNESCO observance of the International Year of the Rapprochement of Cultures. It promises to be grand on visuals and enriching in the mind as well. As arts goes to key cities nationwide the festival aims to instill the richness of Philippine tradition to all Filipinos.

“Sarswela ‘WALANG SUGAT’ in Marinduque” performed by members of Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. is a component of PIAF. It is the third annual partnership program between the Provincial Government of Marinduque and NCCA, the first two being the “VIVA MARINDUQUE!” performance tour undertaken with Teatro Balangaw and other cultural groups in the six municipalities. The annual PIAF event coincides with the celebration of "ARAW NG MARINDUQUE". This culminates in a "Grand Parade and Marinduque Festival Showcase" on Feb. 19 from 8:00 am - 12:00 am.

The "GINTONG BINHI", the 1st MIMAROPA Arts and Culture Summit is also being held in Marinduque to strengthen the arts and culture network and activities in the MIMAROPA Region.

The Summit will be held on Feb. 18, at the Provincial Training Center in Tamayo, Sta. Cruz while 'WALANG SUGAT" goes on stage at Boac Moriones Arena on Thursday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 pm and at Gasan Municipal Court on Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 pm. Free Admission.

Spearheaded by Gov. JOSE ANTONIO N. CARRION, this project is sponsored by the Provincial Government of Marinduque in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Barasoain Kalinangan Foudation, Department of Education, schools, colleges and LGUs.

"BULONG" in Torrijos

“VIVA MARINDUQUE !”
(Ani ng Sining ng Marinduque:
Philippine Arts Festival 2008)


Background:

During the Oral and Local History Conference in Vigan City (Nov. 22-23, 2007), we requested for a meeting Friday, Nov. 23, with the NCCA Culture & Arts Officer representing the Commission. It was to lobby for financial support for the proposed Conference on Marinduque and to explore other areas of cooperation with the NCCA particularly in the field of the performing arts.

The officer promised to follow-up an earlier request to the NCCA, a copy of which we furnished him in connection with the history conference project. He also promised to work, although it was a bit late, on the possible inclusion of Marinduque in the Philippine Arts Festival 2008 project in connection with the National Arts Month celebration in February 2008.

By Monday, Nov. 26 the said Culture & Arts Officer called us up to inform NCCA’s welcome decision for inclusion of Marinduque in the Philippine Arts Festival 2008, with a grant of P. 100,000.00. The proposal from NCCA was emailed on Nov. 27, with the required line item budget proposal already filled out as the deadline for confirmation was already Nov. 28.

After sending the confirmation a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was emailed from NCCA for signing by the Governor. We sent an urgent request meanwhile to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to authorize the Governor to sign the said MOA.

Future plan for the project:

“Viva Marinduque!” is not a one-time project. It would be developed as Marinduque’s cultural & artistic showcase with the end in view of presenting it in national cultural festivals (similar to Teatro Balangaw’s earlier production of “Mara Unduk” that was eventually performed in local and national cultural venues), to promote excellence and Marinduque’s cultural and tourism development.


Production:

The project would be under our direct supervision as project proponent and artistic director in cooperation with participating schools (Bangbang National High School & Marinduque Midwest College) and cultural organizations.

The Event Program:

"VIVA MARINDUQUE" showcased municipal folk dances from the 6 towns, a dance-drama, "MORYONAN", "BULONG" (another dance-drama that used the local belief on teleportation caused by nature's spirit as a device to present historical episodes), a re-enactment in song and dance on "PULANG LUPA", "PUTONG" by the Capitol Choir, "KALUTANG" music by the kalutang band of Bangbang and "MARINDUQUE AKIN KA" choral rendition by the Capitol Choir. The 2-hour showcase was presented in the six towns of Mogpog, Sta. Cruz, Boac, Buenavista, Torrijos and Gasan in that order during the month of February. One of the many "Araw ng Marinduque" activities that was hailed province-wide.

The presentation was featured in the TV-program "SINING GISING" over NBN-4, produced by the National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA).

(Photos hereunder show shots from "VIVA MARINDUQUE")