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!
