A significant milestone 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 with a brief reign as a separate province in 1901, and
as a sub-province of the former Tayabas province (now Quezon),
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.
Calendar of Events
A Thanksgiving Mass at the Boac Cathedral on February 16
starts the centennial week. 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 feature 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, Battle of the Bands and
acoustic artists performing.
Health
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 will be unveiled at the capitol park.
The unveiling of another monument, Bantayog-Wika in recognition of
Tagalog-Marinduque has been moved to April. This is a joint project of the
Provincial Government of Marinduque, the National Commission for Culture and
the Arts (NCCA), and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).
On February 20 an art workshop titled "Sining SikLAVan
sa Sentenaryo" will be conducted by Maestro Fernando Sena who traces his roots
from Gasan town and will be held at Marinduque State College audio-visual room.
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 was earlier scheduled for the 20th. This together with
other cultural projects in partnership with the National Commission for Culture
and the Arts (NCCA), and the Department of Education had to be moved to a later date, however.
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| Centennial Queen beauties visit Torrjjos White Beach |
Search for Centennial
Queen
The Search for the much-awaited Miss Marinduque Centennial
Queen goes on stage at the Convention Center on February 20. Twelve beauties
from the six municipalities have undergone screening and have visited local tourist spots for
photo-shoots, and have paid courtesy visits to all the mayors.
On the day of the Anniversary, February 21, 2020,
participating Marinduque colleges and national agency offices are set to start
an early morning Parade of Floats utilizing indigenous materials. The floats
touring the six towns of Marinduque depict significant events in its colorful
history from precolonial, colonial period up to the present - and towards “Bagong Sentenaryo Patugo sa
Pag-Asenso”, the centennial theme.
More of local artistry and creativity will likewise be
showcased in municipal Festival Floats on the tail-end of the parade. But moved
to a later date in April 2020 due to current national health concerns is the
showdown at the Sports Arena in Boac of the street dancing festival Bila-Bila
(Boac), Kangga (Mogpog), Ati-atihan (Sta. Cruz), Lechonan (Torrijos),
Maalindog-Tubaan (Buenavista), and Gasang-Gasang (Gasan).
Gawad to Outstanding
Marinduquenos
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| Ogie Alcasid as guest performer |
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 with award-winning and notable
local artists, the likes of Joseleo Logdat, Angel Peňaflor, Jasmine Salvo, Sarah
Faye Bacal and I Baritoni. Also featured are Musika sa Isla Ensemble, Educational
Systems Technological Institute (ESTI), students, the Capitol Choir, Kalutang
players with the Centennial Orchestra.
Featured guest artist is popular singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid.
Gov. Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. also spearheaded the refurbishing
of the provincial capitol building in time for this milestone.
Malacanang earlier declared Friday, February 21, 2020, a
special (non-working) day in the province of Marinduque. Proclamation No. 879 issued January 6, 2020
declared 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.
