That 'Marindukanon' was a mere 'coined word' was admitted by Dr. Randy Nobleza of the Marinduque State College (MSC) in a committee hearing held on September 6, 2019, by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Tourism Development and Cultural Heritage* to resolve the issue: Is it Marinduqueňo or 'Marindukanon'.
Nobleza, in the said meeting, revealed that the new term 'Marindukanon' they are introducing was, indeed, not based on facts, nor any study, nor any historical basis to back it up, and that Marindukanon is "not yet fully established", and “the study on the said term is still on-going”.
Due to the confusion created, to the extent that some board members opined that an "identity crisis‟ was being generated at a time when the province is preparing for its centennial celebration in 2020, an SP Resolution was eventually adopted.
Resolution No. 104 dated September 27, 2019 “Urging the Marinduque State College (MSC) through the SUC President and the Board of Trustees (BOT), to exercise prudence in the use of the term Marindukanon that will effectively change the term Marinduqueňo unless a thorough scientific study was objectively defended that will justify the need to change the status quo”.
Apparently not satisfied with the college's continued use of the said term on social media, another Resolution was adopted after two months: Resolution No. 1194 dated November 17, 2019, “Urging the Marinduque State College (MSC) thru the college President and Board of Trustees to cease and desist from using the term “Marindukanon” that intends to replace Marinduqueňo without an in-depth and objective research that is justified and defended in an academic defense, and without the proper public consultation”.
It was a follow-up reso as it stated, "MSC continuously promotes the use of Marindukanon and even presented the same in various academic fora and discussions causing confusion to the local people who have been accustomed to be called Marinduqueňos”.
"The separate actions being done by MSC, particularly Dr. Nobleza, might intend to help the Provincial Government in gathering necessary documents relative to the province's centenary celebration and promotion of its culture and tradition; however, a contrary was created, glitches happened, and the intention to promote Marindukanon became an advocacy to some faculty members without factual, scientific and historical basis.”, the Resolution added.
Rewind
It is noteworthy, however, to go back to the committee hearing held earlier. Nobleza claimed that the word was merely coined back in 2000 by another MSC professor, Dr. Rex Asuncion, to replace the established demonym, Marinduqueňo. He then gave instructions to his students to start using the term. 'Marindukanon' henceforth, as the new identity of the people of Marinduque, as well as the name of their indigenous language (Tagalog Marinduque/Marindukenyo), culture and people. According to Nobleza he merely continued what was started by Asuncion.
During the hearing Mr. Rolly Larracas said that the use of name extensions in a province or city is more of a regional clustering, meaning "anon" is mostly used in Visayas Region while the "eňo" is for the Tagalog Region. He added that "it is confusing if we will be using 'Marindukanon' to be able to define the Marinduqueňos. He believes that the term Marinduqueňo should be maintained since having multiple identity leads to identity crisis.
Meanwhile, in a social media exchange with lawyer, Atty. Mara Sore, however, Asuncion appears not inclined to answer directly his basis for the term and refers to Nobleza as more knowledgeable on the subject. The lengthy exchange between the two transpired in August 2021, and was read in part during the hearing.
Excerpts: Mara: "Bakit marindukanon tawag nyo Rex? Asuncion: "Just the way Mindoranons and Romblomanons call themselves. We call ourselves Marindukanons initiated by MSC Sentrong Pangwika and MSC Culture and Arts based from local researches and result of cultural mapping... This include also history.. pulang lupa, labanan sa paye with local heroes..." Mara: "Yung basis for the term lang like mindoreňo, marinduqueňo, batangueňo, caviteňo, etc.. Pabasa naman nung research on marindukanon lang... " Asuncion: "Hiwahiwalay... Marindukanon term is too broad... Marindukanon language kay Dr. Randy Nobleza..." Mara: "Always have been a Marinduqueňo as far as I can recall. Might be missing out on something..."
The hearing ended with Nobleza conveying to the Committe that he would cease from the usage of Marindukanon, concluding that the “people are not ready for it”.
(To be continued)
(*SP Committee on Tourism Development and Cultural Heritage board members are BM Mel Encabo, BM John Pelaez, BM Adeline Angeles, BM Ishmael Lim and BM Mercedes Rejano. Also invited to the hearing aside from Dr. Randy Nobleza were Rolly Larracas (PGO), Gerry Jamilla (PTourO), and Eli Obligacion (PGO)
SP Resolution No. 104 Series 2019:
