Event of the Century: Big suprises for Marinduque's Sentenaryo

A significant milestone in history comes to the MIMAROPA island-province tagged for many decades  as the ‘Heart of the Philippines’. People of Marinduque will be commemorating their Centennial Anniversary on February 21, 2020 -  Sentenaryo ng “Araw ng Marinduque”.

The date marks 100 years of Marinduque’s reestablishment as an independent province after being a part in various periods of the provinces of Batangas and Mindoro and as a sub-province of the former Tayabas province (now Quezon), with a brief reign as a separate province in 1901.

To drumbeat this event, all LGU’s joined in a 100-day Countdown to Centennial last November 14, 2019, led by Governor Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. The involvement of everyone in showcasing local traditional arts, culture, trade and tourism attractions, the island-province’s historical and national significance and paying tribute to its most outstanding sons and daughters, among others was the goal to achieve a truly memorable celebration.

While the six Marinduque towns of Boac, Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, Sta. Cruz and Torrijos are holding related cultural activities throughout the year, festivities during the centennial week revolve mostly around Boac, the capital from February 16-22. Work is underway at all event sites, major streets are being repaired, and residents have been made aware by their local government units to keep their surroundings clean, green and beautiful.

From left. PNP Provincial Director Cresenciano Landicho, Governor Presbitero Velasco, Provincial Administrator Vincent Michael Velasco, Cong. Lord Allan Velasco and Vice-Governor Romulo Bacorro, Jr. discuss security plans prepared by the PNP PD for the week-long Centennial events.

Calendar of Events

A Thanksgiving Mass at the Boac Cathedral on February 16 will start the week-long event. This historical cathedral, the greatest monument of faith of the people of Marinduque and symbol of their religiosity will see the unveiling on this day of a historical marker from the National Museum of the Philippines declaring it an Important Cultural Property (ICP).

Barakalan sa Sentenaryo at the Expo Site under the auspices of the Marinduque Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Department of Trade and Industry {DTI} is an agro-trade and tourism fair showcasing local products (Feb. 17-22). Municipal governments will dress up their individual booths promoting their best products.

Barakalan will also have space for a gallery exhibit, ‘100@100’ set-up by the HeArts Council on works and performances of local artists.  In the same venue there will be nightly shows with cultural presentations by MSC, Battle of the Bands and acoustic artists performing.

Invited historians from leading universities from Manila will hold Commemorative Lectures on February 17, organized by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), on the history, culture, heritage, society, archaeology and other topics on Marinduque studies. Students, teachers, barangay, municipal and provincial officials and the general public have been enjoined to participate in this symposium.

In support of this symposium, Marinduque@100, a complementary kick-off activities to include lecture-forums and and exhibits concerning the history and culture of Marinduque will be held at PUP's Bulwagang Andres Bonifacio from February 10-15.

February 18 will focus on efforts to improve medical services in the province through the inauguration of Medical Arts Building, blessing and ribbon-cutting of the MPH Diagnostic Center, Marinduque Child Development Center and the renaming of DRPH back to Marinduque Provincial Hospital, its old name. “Lav ko si Lolo, Lav ko si Lola”, a health services project for senior citizens will also be launched by Cong. Lord Allan Q. Velasco.

Historical and cultural monuments, heritage, arts, parade, performances

On February 19, a Centennial Monument celebrating this milestone and a Bantayog-Wika monument in recognition of Tagalog-Marinduque will be unveiled at the capitol park.  The latter is in recognition of the language that has been described as the root or among the roots from which the modern national forms have sprung, and where remnants of the more archaic Tagalog forms could be found. 

The Bantayog is a special project undertaken by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and the Provincial Government of Marinduque.

On February 20 an art workshop titled "Sining SikLAVan sa Sentenaryo" will be conducted by well-known artist, Maestro Fernando Sena who hails from Gasan. his will be held at Marinduque State College audio-visual room from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

A showcase of intangible cultural heritage unique to the province such as the “Putong” song-and-dance welcome ritual, folk dances and a competition for the playing of “Kalutang” musical instruments by school children will be held on February 20 at the Boac Covered Court. This is part of efforts of the provincial government, DepEd and the NCCA to preserve them.

6cyclemind, Imago comes to town

Mainstream bands "6cyclemind" and "Imago", together with local bands will perform for the Centennial Concert sponsored by Cong. Velasco on February 20 at the Sports Complex in Boac. Candidates for the Search for Miss Marinduque Centennial Queen will make a guest appearance during this concert, one expected to draw a huge crowd.

On the day of the Anniversary, February 21, 2020, participating Marinduque colleges and national agency offices will be joining an early morning Parade of Floats utilizing indigenous materials. The floats will depict significant events in Marinduque’s colorful history from precolonial, colonial period up to the present.  

More of local artistry and creativity will likewise be showcased in municipal Festival Floats on the tail-end of the parade together with young street-dancing festival contingents ready for a showdown at the Sports Complex. Festivals competing are Bila-Bila (Boac), Kangga (Mogpog), Ati-atihan (Sta. Cruz), Lechonan (Torrijos), Maalindog-Tubaan (Buenavista), and Gasang-Gasang (Gasan).

Gawad to Outstanding Marinduquenos

Gawad Marinduqueňo awards will be given, also posthumously, to the most outstanding personalities in various fields of endeavor that the province has produced. 

The February 21 awards night will also showcase Baliktanaw sa Kasaysayan at Kulturang Marinduque featuring award-winning and notable local artists, the likes of Joseleo Logdat, Angel Peňaflor, Jasmine Salvo, Sarah Faye Bacal and I Baritoni, with the participation of Musika sa Isla Ensemble, Marinduque National High School Special Program for the Arts students, Capitol Choir, Kalutang players and a Centennial Orchestra. The latter is composed of selected members of various classical groups. Featured guest is popular singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid. 

Search for Centennial Queen

The Search for the much-awaited Miss Marinduque Centennial Queen goes on stage at the Convention Center on February 22. Twelve beauties from the six municipalities have undergone screening and will be visiting tourist spots for photo-shoots, and all the towns to promote the centennial events.

The Provincial Government of Marinduque has spearheaded the celebration of this milestone in cooperation with all the municipalities of Boac, Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, Sta. Cruz, Torrijos,  national agencies, schools, the business and private sector and with the support and cooperation of NCCA, KWF, DOT, PLDT-Smart, San Miguel Corporation,  Petron and others.

Malacanang has earlier declared Friday, February 21, 2020, a special (non-working) day in the province of Marinduque.  Proclamation No. 879 issued January 6, 2020 declared that it is but fitting and proper that the people of the Province of Marinduque be given opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.