Pandemic deaths 1918-1919 at 2020-2021 sa Marinduque; Covid-19 updates at mga pagsisikap ng mga namumuno

Ang pinakahuli lamang na turnover Aug 30 ng medical supplies, equipment, ambulances, service vehicles para sa Marinduque sa inisyatibo ni Speaker Lord Allan Velasco ay tinanggap ni Gov. Presby Velasco. Pinasalamatan ang DOH, OCD at Pilipinong May Puso Foundation at marami pang iba.
 

Sa Marinduque ay 979 ang namatay sa Spanish Flu noong 1918. 

Datos mula sa The Philippines in the World of the Influenza Pandemic of 1918–1919, F Gealogo. 

Naganap sa mundo at Pilipinas kasama na ang Marinduque ang isang pandemya noong 1918. 

Spanish Flu ang tawag nila dito. 40% ng mga Pilipino ang tinamaan, 88,906 ang pumanaw. 10 buwan ang inabot ng 3 waves noon, yung ikalawa mas nakamamatay kaysa nauna. 

Sa Marinduque ay 979 ang namatay. Panahong ang naitalang populasyon ng ating islang-lalawigan ay 56,868 pa lamang.

Ang populasyon ng Marinduque sa kasalukuyan ay 239,207 ayon sa 2020 Census.

Sa mga karatig lalawigan naman natin sa ngayo'y kilala bilang MIMAROPA ay ito naging death toll sa Spanish Flu: Mindoro, 1,003; Romblon, 279; Palawan, 1,640.

Sa kasalukuyang pandemya ng COVID-19 sa Marinduque makaraan ang 1 at kalahating taon (Marso 2020-August 2021) ay ito naman ang naging record: 1,919 ang inamaan ng sakit at 89 lamang ang sumakabilang-buhay.

Sa kasalukuyan, pinaghirapan na ng husto ng ating mga iginagalang na mga pinuno ng pamahalaan at ang mga frontliners, ay patuloy na ginagawa ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya. 

Walang sino man sa kanila angt nagpapabaya, mula sa punong-lalawigan, Gov. Presbiterno Velasco, Jr., lahat ng opisyales ng pamahalaang panlalawigan, lahat ng opisyales ng anim na bayan at lalong-lalo na ang kongresista ng Marinduque na ngayo'y nakatayo bilang Speaker of the House Lord Allan Velasco.

Unang naganap sa lokal na kasaysayan ng lalawigan ang ganitong pagkakataon.

Di katakatakang lahat ng available resources sa loob at labas ng lalawigan ay kayang-kayang gawan ng paraaan para iparating dito.

Ayaw kang talikuran kahit pagod na pagod na sila at ang panganib na nakaamba ay naiisantabi pa rin dahil sa kanilang dedikasyon at pagkalinga sa pinagsisilbihan.

Hindi maitatanggi na isa itong uri ng inspiradong pamamalakad at paninilbihan sa bayan ng mga lider natin.

Spanish Flu death toll 

Ayon sa isang panulat, “America’s Forgotten Pandemic” ni Alfred W. Crosby sa nabanggit na "1918 Spanish Flu" na basta ang tawag lamang sa atin ay "Trancazo" ay ganito: “Ang flu morbidity at mortality statistics ng Pilipinas, na may populasyon na 9 hanggang 10.5 million, depende na sa kung anong awtoridad ang iyong kinokonsulta, ay di maaasahan. Mga 40 porsyento ng mga Filipino ang nahawa sa sakit, at 70,000-90,000 ang nangagkamatay. 

“Kahit pa gamitan ng pinaka-konserbatibong pagtatantiya, ang pandemic ay pumatay sa 2 porsyento ng mga nagkasakit nito. 

“Sa maraming barangay sa pinakamatinding panahon, walang supisyenteng mga taong may kakayahang maglibing sa mga patay. Ang pandemya ay tila pinakamatinding perwisyo ang ginawa sa malalayong lugar, tulad ng Cotabato sa Mindanao, kung saan 95 porsiyento ang nagkasakit.”

MIMAROPA LGUs win big at 2020 LGU competitiveness ranking

 Some Highlights:

Mogpog, Marinduque

Rank 2nd Overall LGU, Rank 2nd in Economic Dynamism Pillar and Government Efficiency Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region.

Torrijos, Marinduque

Rank 3rd Government Efficiency Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Image credit: Mimaropa Aksyon at Solusyon

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon, Romblon, top the list of most improved LGUs among Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), 1st to 2nd Class Municipalities, and 3rd to 4th Class Municipalities nationwide, respectively. 

In the recently conducted 8th Annual Regional Competitiveness Summit via Facebook live, several LGUs in MIMAROPA were named as among the top LGUs according to the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) 2020. 

The CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development. For 2020, CMCI ranks over 1,000 local government units across the country on economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, and resilience. 

According to the CMCI, the framework integrated the following four convergent pillars of local economic development and competitiveness: 

ECONOMIC DYNAMISM is usually associated with activities that create a stable expansion of business and industries and higher employment.

GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY refers to the quality and reliability of government services and government support for effective and sustainable productive expansion.

INFRASTRUCTURE refers to the physical building blocks that connect, expand, and sustain a locality and its surroundings to enable the provision of goods and services.

RESILIENCY is the capacity of a locality to facilitate businesses and industries to create jobs, raise productivity, and increase the incomes of citizens over time despite the shocks and stresses it encounters.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – MIMAROPA Regional Director Joel B. Valera is confident that the cities and municipalities in the region will sustain if not surpass their respective ranks in the CMCI 2020. Regional Director Valera likewise believes that the ranking results reflect the unceasing commitment of the LGUs towards holistic societal development far beyond the geographical limits of the region’s island-provinces.

 

CMCI Results 2020: 

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (out of 32 participating HUCs) nationwide)

Rank 1st Most Improved LGU

Rank 17th Overall HUCs

Rank 18th Government Efficiency Pillar

Rank 14th Infrastructure Pillar

Rank 15th Resilience Pillar

Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro (out of 112 participating Component Cities (CCs) nationwide)

Rank 16th Overall CCs

Rank 2nd Resilience Pillar

Rank 17th Infrastructure Pillar

Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro

Rank 1st Most Improved LGU out of 489 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 3rd Overall LGU, Economic Dynamism and Government Efficiency out of 29 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Rank 2nd Most Improved LGU out of 489 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 5th Overall LGU and Rank 3rd Infrastructure out of 29 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

Roxas, Oriental Mindoro

Rank 3rd Most Improved LGU out of 489 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 6th Overall LGU out of 29 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

Romblon, Romblon

Rank 1st Most Improved LGU and Rank 4th Government Efficiency Pillar out of 611 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 1st Overall LGU, Rank 1st Government Efficiency Pillar, Rank 3rd Resilience Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

Looc, Occidental Mindoro

Rank 7th Economic Dynamism Pillar out of 273 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 1st Overall LGU, Rank 1st Economic Dynamism Pillar, 2nd Infrastructure Pillar, and Rank 1st Resilience Pillar out of 14 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities in the MIMAROPA region

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Rank 16th Infrastructure Pillar out of 489 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 1st Overall LGU, Rank 1st in Economic Dynamism Pillar, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure Pillar and Resilience Pillar out of 29 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

Gloria, Oriental Mindoro

Rank 12th Resilience Pillar out of 611 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 7th Overall LGU, Rank 1st in Economic Dynamism Pillar and Resilience Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

San Fernando, Romblon

Rank 14th Resilience Pillar out of 611 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 4th Overall LGU, Rank 2nd in Infrastructure Pillar and Resilience Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

Alcantara, Romblon

Rank 15th Most Improved LGU out of 273 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 3rd Infrastructure Pillar out of 17 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

Banton, Romblon

Rank 13th Most Improved LGU out of 273 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 3rd Resilience Pillar out of 17 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

Santa Fe, Romblon

Rank 11th Most Improved LGU out of 273 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 5th Overall LGU and Rank 2nd Economic Dynamism Pillar out of 17 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA region

Kalayaan, Palawan

Rank 9th Most Improved LGU out of 273 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities nationwide;

Culion, Palawan

Rank 15th Most Improved LGU out of 611 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities nationwide;

Busuanga, Palawan

Rank 9th Most Improved LGU out of 611 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities nationwide;

Bataraza, Palawan

Rank 8th Most Improved LGU out of 489 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities nationwide;

Rank 2nd Government Efficiency Pillar and Rank 3rd Resilience Pillar out of 29 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Odiongan, Romblon

Rank 2nd Overall LGU, Rank 2nd in Economic Dynamism Pillar and Infrastructure Pillar out of 29 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Mogpog, Marinduque

Rank 2nd Overall LGU, Rank 2nd in Economic Dynamism Pillar and Government Efficiency Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Socorro, Oriental Mindoro

Rank 3rd Overall LGU and Rank 3rd Economic Dynamism Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Santa Maria, Romblon

Rank 2nd Overall LGU, Rank 1st Government Efficiency Pillar and Rank 2nd Resilience Pillar out of 14 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Magdiwang, Romblon

Rank 3rd Overall LGU, Rank 3rd Government Efficiency Pillar and Rank 1st Infrastructure Pillar out of 14 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Ferrol, Romblon

Rank 3rd Economic Dynamism Pillar out of 14 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Torrijos, Marinduque

Rank 3rd Government Efficiency Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

San Andres, Romblon

Rank 2nd Government Efficiency Pillar out of 14 participating 5th to 6th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Looc, Romblon

Rank 1st Infrastructure Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

San Agustin, Romblon

Rank 3rd Infrastructure Pillar out of 25 participating 3rd to 4th Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region

Quezon, Palawan

Rank 2nd Resilience Pillar out of 29 participating 1st to 2nd Class municipalities in MIMAROPA Region ♦

Date of Release: 4 January 2021 DTI 

MIMAROPA, Dumaguete, Bicol star in Philippine islands tourism videos

Three new tourism videos themed “Wake Up in the Islands of the Philippines” were released as the country prepares to reopen for visitors. Screengrab from DOT video.

Bicol, Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan (MIMAROPA) are featured on three new tourism ads about the Philippine islands released ahead of the country’s reopening to visitors.

The 3 new video ads shot and produced prior to the COVID-19 pandemic were themed on the call to “Wake Up in the Islands of the Philippines”.

The wake-up-call ads were released in the days leading up to June 1, 2020, as Metro Manila and several areas in the Philippines shifted from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) after over two months as part of efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wake Up In MIMAROPA

MIMAROPA Region offers the beauty of the islands’ beaches, oceans, and people. Screengrab from DOT video.

“Once in a while, we catch ourselves dreaming of paradise. Known for its culture and biodiversity, it’s time to put #MIMAROPA – MIndoro, MArinduque, ROmblon, and PAlawan on your list as we enter the 2nd half of 2020,” went the caption on a 1-minute video ad posted on DOT social media on June 1.

Wake Up in Dumaguete

Dumaguete is a prime diving destination for marine diversity, natural wonders, and shipwrecks. Screengrab from DOT video.

“Calling all adventurers, you may now board your virtual trip to Dumaguete. Explore haunting shipwrecks and beautiful coral reefs as you dive deeper into the sea,” reads the caption on the 360 video that showcases the diving destination in the Philippines.

Wake Up in Bicol Region

Mayon Volcano welcomes visitors to the BIcol region’s varied offerings for adventure sports, nature parks, and adventurous eating. Screengrab from DOT video.

“To all the wave riders and ATV junkies who dream of thrilling adventures, Bicol has just the right amount of action-packed activities that’ll make you break a sweat. It offers sports enthusiasts plenty of room to explore while learning about the region’s diverse culture,” reads the caption on the video.  - by Aurora Quadra-Balibay / Good News Pilipinas

Look: Marinduque Cultural Showcase opens MIMAROPA Naturally Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair at Megamall, Oct. 16

Marinduque Governor Presby Velasco
Photo: Peter Magturo

DTI MIMAROPA Is ready for this week’s biggest event in the Metro. In partnership with DA, DOT, DAR, the Provincial Government of Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, and City Government of Calapan and Puerto Princesa the fifth run of “MIMAROPA Naturally: Agri Trade and Tourism Fair 2019” goes from October 16-20, 2019 at Megatrade Halls 1 & 2, 5th Floor SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

What’s in it for us Marinduqueños? This regional trade fair will showcase the diverse products and tourist destinations of our island and the region. Then some of Marinduque’s best artistic talents will be featured exclusively during the opening on Wednesday, October 16th. 

All set to perform are ‘The Baritone’, multi-award winner Joseleo Logdat, soprano Jasmine Salvo and I Baritoni, a trio of male voices and others.

The Baritone, Joseleo Logdat

Soprano Jasmine Salvo

Marinduque Congressman Lord Allan Velasco has been invited to grace the fair, and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco, Jr., President of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), is Keynote Speaker alongside Secretary Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Lending support to the Marinduque Day opening at the trade fair are all the good members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Marinduque led by Vice-Governor Romulo Bacorro, Jr.

For this event, selected young artists from Marinduque National High School (MNHS) and Marinduque State College (MSC) are performing their own version of the Putong traditional ritual to welcome the fair's special guests. 

Other surprise numbers have been prepared by the MNHS-MSC group. The Marinduque Show starts at 4:00 pm after a brief performance at 2:00 pm for the opening program and the ribbon cutting. There will be a second Marinduque show for MIMAROPA Naturally visitors at 7:00 pm.

Marinduque Team preparing for the trip to Megamall
Photo: Joven Lilles

You are all invited to this much-awaited event. Consider this as the most opportune time to show support to our farmers, manufacturers, and support to tourism establishments now rising on the island-province.

About 150 MSME-exhibitors from the region are targeted to participate this year, and that’s more than 100% increase from the 73 MSME-exhibitors who joined in 2015. DTI MIMAROPA is optimistic to reach a milestone P100-million sales generated this year. That’s twenty-fold higher than the P4.5 million sales in 2015, according to DTI.

Some 100 new/improved products and designs this time will also be launched.

Visit the Marinduque Island Pavilion at the fair. Don’t miss this very special day as it also kicks-off the celebration of Marinduque Centennial Year 2020!

Another win for Marinduque's Joseleo Logdat!

Marinduque is known for its many and unique Intangible Cultural Heritage (Moriones, Putong, Kalutang, etc), and no doubt, the flowering of so many artistic talents from this beautiful island-province is currently unfolding, further strengthening its cultural characteristic and identity.

Another win for Marinduque’s well-loved baritone, Joseleo Logdat with that rich voice timbre you can only dream of if you’re a classical singer. He has proven it once again. 

In the recently concluded 11^th International Vox Artis Music Competition in Sibiu, Romania he bested more than 20 other contenders. No first prize winner was given but he won one of two 3^rd prize winners.

Then what? Joseleo is currently on his way to Italy, to compete at the Stignani Competition there, an international voice competition for trained opera singers or students of voice and is named after the leading dramatic mezzosoprano of her time, Ebe Stignani.

Logdat is also set to perform in Milan and Bologna with the active support of the local community and particularly the Filipino Women's League in Bologna, Italy.

Logdat’s other achievements? Finalist at the SLO - ASEAN Vocal Competition in Singapore 2018. Semi- Finalist at Accademia de Bel Canto International Vocal Competition in Graz Austria 2018. 2nd prize winner (Opera Category) at 14th Osaka International Music Competition 2013.

A 2013 awardee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) “Ani ng Dangal” (Harvest of Honors) for Music, bestowed for his achievements in Japan;  Grand Prix Winner of the 6th Yokohama International Music Competition (2012) where he also won the 1st place in the Professional Voice Category at Yokohama, Japan; won the Grand Prize of the “Mga Awiting Pilipino” (Philippine Art Song) Vocal Competition (2007).

What more after his Romania-Italy trip? You can catch up with Joseleo!

Joseleo is scheduled to perform for his beloved province of Marinduque in the forthcoming MIMAROPA Naturally Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair to be held at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on October 16, 2019 at 2:00 pm (the exhibit runs from Oct. 16-20, 2019)

He will be performing with other Marinduqueño classical singers and other fresh local talents. You see, Marinduque is known for its many Intangible Cultural Heritage (Moriones, Putong, Kalutang), and no doubt, the flowering of so many artistic talents from this beautiful island-province is currently unfolding further strengthening its cultural character and identity.

Kasama ang Marinduque, Mimaropa domestic workers get pay hike

The National Wages and Productivity Commission said domestic workers would receive a monthly pay of P3,500 after the regional wage board issued an order granting an increase of P1,000.

The minimum salary of domestic workers in Mimaropa will increase this month.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission said domestic workers would receive a monthly pay of P3,500 after the regional wage board issued an order granting an increase of P1,000.

Domestic workers in Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan, including the city of Calapan and the highly urbanized city of Puerto Princesa, are covered by the wage order.

In February, minimum wage earners in companies with less than 10 workers in Mimaropa received an increase of P11 in their daily take home pay. The increase represents the last tranche of a pay hike under a wage order issued in November last year.

The monthly salary of workers in firms with more than 10 employees was pegged at P320. Those with less than 10 workers got P283. - Philstar

MIMAROPA Naturally 2019 in October; Marinduque show opens the fair

MIMAROPA Naturally 2018 poster

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region IV-B continues to promote more products from the southern Tagalog regional grouping of island-provinces through MIMAROPA Naturally Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair at the SM Megamall trade hall.

Preparations are under way for the general public to find the products and shows at the MIMAROPA Naturally fair this year more enjoyable. Various agencies have been actively helping local entrepreneurs and cooperatives in the region with the latest technology in food and non-food processing.

MIMAROPA Naturally is set to open on October 16, 2019 and will run for 5 days.       
     

Exhibitors from the region including DOT accredited establishments are given the opportunity to showcase homegrown products such as popular delicacies, processed foods, fashion and accessories, furniture and home décors, health and wellness products. The region’s diverse and exquisite tourist destinations will also be highlighted.

This project is made possible through the collective effort from the Department of Trade and Industry 4B, Department of Agriculture 4B, Department of Tourism 4B, and the provincial governments of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque,  Romblon,  Palawan, and the city governments of Calapan, and Puerto Princesa.

DTI Marinduque has reported that Marinduque has consistently registered the biggest number of exhibitors to the fair, all of which are beneficiaries of the DTI shared service delivery program. This program includes training, provision of machineries and for local food manufacturers, facilitation of licenses from the Food and Drug Administration.

MARINDUQUE opens the 2019 fair

To attract buyers and mall-visitors, special cultural presentations and side-attractions are currently being prepared for this year’s fair. The first day will feature performances by Marinduque’s musical artists, a modern version of the island’s traditional way of welcoming guests and more. The province is also preparing for its centennial year 2020.

MIMAROPA Naturally also offers awards to the participating provinces and exhibitors by naming the best island pavilion, best dressed booth and top seller for food and non-food categories products. Last year, Calapan City grabbed the title for dressed booth, while the grandiose booth set-up of Palawan took home the best island pavillion category. The golden and crispy banana chips from Paylago of Oriental Mindoro was hailed as the top seller for food while eccentric designs of Julie Anne’s Handicraft of Marinduque got the award for top seller non-food category.

Palawan Best Island Pavilion winner 2018. Photo: Palawan PIO

Invitation for Best Short Documentary

For an award in Best Short Documentary, LGUs and Mimaropa residents are invited by MIMAROPA Naturally to produce 3-minute documentary videos that showcase life in the region, local MSME’s, tourist destinations and agriculture. (See criteria and guidelines below).

Best Short Documentary Awards & Criteria. Marinduque short docu open to all Marinduque residents.

Marinduque to play host to MIMAROPA Festival 2019: A review

Cover photo from VISIT MIMAROPA website co-created by DOST-MIMAROPA and DOT-MIMAROPAto help boost the local tourism industry in the region. 

MIMAROPA FESTIVAL is about the five provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan and the two cities of Calapan City and Puerto Princesa City coming together annually to showcase the region's best through agri-trade and tourism fair, dance parade competition and the search for MIMAROPA festival king and queen.

As earlier agreed upon by the provinces in a Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting, MIMAROPA Festival will become an annual event hosted by all the said provinces on rotation basis. Its target is to achieve its vision as "The Destination of Choice".

The first MIMAROPA Festival was held in Calapan City (Oriental Mindoro) in 2015, then in Puerto Princesa City (Palawan) in 2016, Odiongan, Romblon in 2017 and Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro last year, 2018.

Marinduque thus, is set to play host to the fifth MIMAROPA Festival this coming November as agreed upon. The province however decided not to join the festival last year.

Occidental Mindoro congresswoman Josephine Ramirez-Sato after the successful hosting by her province was quoted to have expressed the hope that it will just keep getting better. "We build on the experiences of the past, so yes, definitely, it will be better than this year as they learn from the experience." she said.

With Occidental Mindoro that has been the champion in three street dance parade competitions governor Mario Gene Mendiola said, "It is an honor for our province to host the fourth festival because when we talked about this before, our desire was to see the MIMAROPA Festival brought to each city in our region every year". 

"If I am not mistaken, we are the only regional festival in the whole Philippines", he added. 

A MIMAROPA street dance entry. Photo: Manila Bulletin

The MIMAROPA Festival has apparently shown that the five provinces can be united in spirit, over and above the diversity of beliefs, culture, and aspirations.

Cong. Sato adds, “It fosters unity and camaraderie, even among the young people, there is that sense of pride for the region which we never felt before.”

Among the tourist destinations in MIMAROPA that continues to draw visitors are Apo Reef, the world’s second largest reef, and San Jose Island in Occidental Mindoro,  Mount Halcon and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, the Nausa Beach of Carabao Island and Ngiriton Cave in Romblon, the Maniwaya White Sand Beach and Bagumbungan Cave in Marinduque, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, Coron-Busuanga Islands, and Tubbataha Reefs in Palawan.

Meanwhile, an online portal of travel and tourism showcasing the best destinations in MIMAROPA has been co-created by DOST-MIMAROPA and DOT-MIMAROPA to help boost the local tourism industry in the region. Click here

- From NEDA, Manila Bulletin and Philstar reports.

Last year's festival was held in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro

Occidental Mindoro gearing up for Arawatan, MIMAROPA Festival 2018

The Province of Occidental Mindoro is about ready for the holding of its annual Arawatan Festival 2018 and the 4^th MIMAROPA Festival next month.

Arawatan Festival, organized in connection with Occidental Mindoro’s 68^th founding anniversary celebration features an exhibition of this province’s natural attractions through a photo-exhibit, an agro-tourism trade fair showcasing agricultural, coastal and marine products, street dancing, sports events and the Ginoong Agrikultura & Bb. Turismo 2018, among others.

Puerto Princesa dancers show the region's five provinces and two cities.

Arawatan is a Mangyan term for unity and cooperation. The weeklong Arawatan celebration will be from November 8-14.

MIMAROPA Festival immediately opens on November 15 with a parade, an investment forum and a photo exhibit. The following morning is set for the pre-pageant of Ginoo & Binibining MIMAROPA 2018, with its coronation night to be held in the evening.

On November 17 will be awaited the main attraction, the MIMAROPA grand street dance parade competition with large contingents from the provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan and the cities of Puerto Princesa and Calapan.

Occidental Mindoro had won the championship trophy for the second time last year in MIMAROPA Festival’s third year of existence.

"Gintong Binhi": Sining at Kultura sa MIMAROPA

(Salin sa Filipino ng isa sa pinakabinabasang artikulo sa Marinduque Rising blog)

 Ang MIMAROPA (acronym para sa Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), ay nilikha noong 2002 ng Executive Order No. 103 na humati sa Region IV (Southern Tagalog), sa kinilalang Rehiyon IV-A (Calabarzon), at IV-B (Mimaropa). Kaya’t ito ang isa sa pinakabatang rehiyon sa Pilipinas.

Sa likod nito, alam natin na ang pinakamatandang kalansay ng tao sa Pilipinas ay natagpuan sa Palawan (ang Tabon Man), na sakop ng MIMAROPA. Mayroon ding naganap na mga katulad na paghahanap sa mga kuweba sa Marinduque noong dekada ng 1960. Kaya’t MIMAROPA pa rin ang masasabing pinakamatandang rehiyon sa usaping arkeolohiya ng Pilipinas.

Ito ang rehiyong kung saan ang Tagalog din ay malawakang ginagamit, bahagi ang Mimaropa ng Luzon ngunit nakahiwalay ang mga islang-lalawigan na bumubuo dito.

Bago dumating ang 2002 ang rehiyon ay tinatawag na Southern Tagalog Region na binubuo ng 11 lalawigan at 7 lungsod. Ang mga lalawigang nasa katimugang Luzon ay kinilala naman bilang CALABARZON tulad ng nasabi

Ang inisyatiba na lumikha ng isang hiwalay na rehiyon para sa limang islang-lalawigan ng Luzon ay sadyang nagmula sa mga nasabing isla. Nadama noon na ang pagiging malapit ng Calabarzon sa Maynila, ang sentro ng kapangyarihan, ay naglalagay sa mga taga-isla sa isang malaking kahinaan lalo na sa usaping pananalapi.

Pinaniniwalaan noon na ang Calabarzon ang higit na nakakakuha ng malaking bahagi ng pondo para sa mga proyektong may kinalaman sa pang-ekonomiyang pag-unlad, at maliit na bahagi naman ang dumarating sa mga islang-lalawigan. Kaya ang Mimaropa ay naging isang hiwalay na grupo ng mga isla. Gayunpaman, sa pakikipagtulungan sa pagpapaunlad ng turismo sa rehiyon, nanatiling maganda ang tulungan sa pagitan ng Calabarzon at Mimaropa.

Sining at Kultura sa MIMAROPA.

Ang pagiging sinauna ng Mimaropa at pagiging tahanan ng mga katutubo ay mamamalas sa mga Mangyan na naninirahan sa isla ng Mindoro (pitong iba't ibang wika ang umiiral dito: Irava, Alangan, Tambuid, Hanunuo, Tadyawan, Buhid at Ratagnon).

Sa Palawan naman ay maraming mga katutubo: Cuyonon & Agutayon, itinuturing na pangunahing etnikong grupo ng lalawigan; Ang mga grupo ng Muslim tulad ng Molbog, Jama Mapun at Tausug ay naninirahan sa katimugang baybayin ng Palawan; Tagbanuas ang pinakamalaking indigenous group na nakatira sa gitnang bahagi; May mas maliit pang mga kultural na mga komunidad tulad ng Pala'wan, Taut bato, Batak, Ken-uy at Kalamian.

Sa Romblon, dahil malapit sa Visayas ay may tatlong pangunahing wika, Romblomanon, Asi at Onhan na itinuturing na kabilang sa pamilya ng wikang Bisaya.

Marinduque ay walang ibang katutubong mga grupo maliban sa mga Tagalog, ngunit maraming mga inapo ng Asi tribe ang naninirahan sa timog bahagi ng isla at sila ay kilala pa rin na kumakapit sa kanilang mga pinag-ugatan sa Banton. Ang Tagalog na sinasalita sa Marinduque ay maingat na pinag-aralan at napagpasyahan ayon sa pag-aaral, na wikang pinag-ugatan ng mga modernong pambansang anyo ng pagsasalita – ang dating Tagalog na yumabong na bilang salitang Filipino. Taong 1914 pa pinag-aralan ito ni Cecilio Lopez, tinaguriang Father of Philippine Linguistics. Pag-aaral na muling inilimbag ng Institute of Philippine Linguistics noong 1973, at wala pang sinumang humamon sa pag-aaral hanggang sa kasalukuyang panahon.

Culture & Arts Council

Sa bagay na may kinalaman sa mga konseho ng sining sa ibat-ibang lugar sa Mimaropa, ang NCCA at DILG ay walang mga nakalimbag na listahan mula sa rehiyong ito. Nagkaroon ng mga pagtatangka na magtatag ng mga konseho ng sining sa ilang mga lugar sa ibat-ibang panahon, ngunit sa sandaling may pagbabago sa lokal na gobyerno at pamumuno sa lalawigan o sa mga munisipyo, ang mga plano at programa ng mga konseho ng sining ay naaapektuhan. Base sa karanasan, ang mga pagsisikap na ito ay maaaring tuluyang naglalaho.

Mga naging unang hakbangin sa pagpapaunlad ng sining at kultura sa rehiyon:

ORIENTAL MINDORO

Isang organisasyon sa Oriental Mindoro ay nagsasama ng mga salitang Kultura at Sining sa pangalan nito: ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Lungsod ng Bongabon, Kultura at Sining. Kabilang sa mga naging proyekto nito ay ang a) pagtatanim ng mga pandekorasyon na halaman sa Strong Republic National Highway sa loob ng bayan; b) pagdaraois ng isang Lantern Festival sa Disyembre. c) pagpanukala ng floating restaurant sa Sucol River.

Hindi sinasabi rito na ang mga bagay na nauukol sa pagsulong ng kultura at sining ay napapabayaan sa ibang mga lugar ng lalawigan. Ang Oriental Mindoro ay may 14 na munisipalidad at 1 lungsod, at ang lahat ng mga lugar na ito, sa mga nakaraang taon, ay nagawang magbuo ng kanilang sariling mga kapistahan upang ipakita ang kanilang kultura at sining. Ang mga naturang festival ay naghihikayat na maging malikhain ang mga mamamayan sa mga programang pang-sining at kultura.  Nagresulta ito sa ibat-ibang festival tulad ng "Mahalta", "Bansudani", "Sulyog", "Bahaghari", "Biniray", at "Sanduguan".

Nagaganap ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama-sama sa LGU's kung saan ang munisipal na konseho ng turismo ang nangunguna. Ang mga konseho ng turismo, sa kabilang banda, ay binubuo ng mga kinatawan ng ibat-ibang sektor na maaaring kabilang ang impormal na grupong pangkultura.

Sa Lungsod ng Calapan isang "City Museum" ang inilagay sa kanilang city hall upang ipakita ang makulay na kasaysayan ng Lungsod. Isang Espesyal na Programa naman para sa Sining (SPA), ang naging proyekto ng DepEd sa pakikipagtulungan ng JJ Leido National High School.

May mga outreach programs/workshops din na idinaraos sa ibat-ibang panahon . Ang mga munisipalidad tulad ng Pinamalayan naman ay nagsasagawa ng mga programang sinimulan ng lokal na Ani ng Sining.

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

Ganito rin ang nagaganap sa Occidental Mindoro. Ang mga konseho ng Turismo ay umiiral sa 9 sa 15 munisipalidad ng Occidental Mindoro. Dito idinaos halimbawa ang isang mahalagang pagho-host ng Kapulungang Konseho ng Turismo sa Southern Tagalog sa San Jose noong 2009, kung saan ipinamalas sa lahat ang kultura at sining ng lalawigan. Ang lugar ng pagtitipon ay naidaos pa sa 7107 Islands Cruise Ship.

Dugoy Festival, Occidental Mindoro

San San Jose at sa Sablayan ng mga susunod na taon ay naging inspirado ang mga komunidad para simulan ang higit na pagbibigay halaga sa kanilang minanang kultura sa pamamagitan ng mga exhibits, at pagdaos ng street dancing. Litaw ang pagbibigay diin sa mga gawaing bayanihan lalo na sa pagtatanim at pag-aani (Saknungan sa San Jose at Dugoy Festival naman sa Sablayan na pakikiisa ng ibat-ibang kultura sa mga Sablayenos ang tema), 

Unang MIMAROPA Arts & Culture Summit na ginanap sa Marinduque

MARINDUQUE

Sa Marinduque, mayroong isang pagtatangka noong 1998, na itatag ang "Sining Marinduque", sa tulong ng Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas (Cultural Center of the Philippines), kung saan ang mga kinatawan ng ibat-ibang sector sa buong lalawigan ay inanyayahan.  Ngunit hindi tama ang tiyempo. Pagkalipas ng ilang buwan matapos ang national at local elections,  nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa panlalawigang pangangasiwa at namatay ang konseho.

Ngunit ang munisipalidad ng Gasan ay nagpasya na magpatuloy sa gawaing ito. Nagtatag dito ng isang Gasan Culture & Arts Foundation (GASCUAF), noong 2001, kasama ang Mayor ng Gasan bilang CEO. Ang iba't ibang mga kultural na proyekto ay isinagawa hanggang makilala ang Gasan sa bansag na ‘cultural nerve-center ng Marinduque’. Ang isa sa maraming mga naging proyekto ay ang pagpapakilala ng "Gasang-Gasang Easter Festival" na naging isang pinakahihintay na taunang pagdiriwang.

Muling nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa munisipal na pamumuno pagkatapos ng 3 taong termino ng mga local na opisyal. Ang pagdiriwang na nabanggit ay hindi ginanap sa susunod na dalawang taon. Sa ikatlong taon, nang walang pakikipagtulungang ibinigay ang bagong alkalde, tinangka ng GASCUAF na idaos ang pagdiriwang sa tulong ng iba't ibang mga kalahok mula sa mga barangay.

Isang kakatwang pangyayari8 ang naganap. Ang mga tinaguriang ‘infraboys’ sa utos ng alkalde ay dali-daling nagtayo ng isang pansamantalang bakod sa bawat posibleng entry point sa paligid ng isang pampublikong parke, yari sa kawayan at madre de cacao. Minabuti na lamang ng mga organizers na makahanap ng isang alternatibong lugar sa isang pasilidad ng DepEd, subalit hindi pinahintulutan ang paggamit ng mga elementary school grounds. Kaya ang mga street-dancers at publiko, para matuloy lamang ang pinaghandaang festival ay nakuntento na lamang na idaos ang festival sa isang pribadong lote na dalawang kilometro ang layo mula sa sentro ng bayan - sa isang malawak na open space "sa paligid ng niyugan". Ang mga tao ay nagsidatingan tulad ng inaasahan para manood at ipakita ang kanilang pagsuporta. Nang napalitan ang namumuno, unang ginawa ng bagong Sangguniang Bayan ng Gasan ang pagpasa ng isang Ordinansa na nagpapatibay sa "Gasang-Gasang Easter Festival" bilang opisyal na pagdiriwang ng Gasan.

"VIVA MARINDUQUE!"

Samantala, ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Marinduque, sa ilalim ng isang bagong administrasyon, bilang suporta sa programang pang-turismo at pangkultura nito, ay lumagda sa isang MOA kasama ang NCCA para sa pagdaraos ng mga proyektong may kinalaman sa Philippine Arts Festival. Kabilang dito ang paglibot sa buong lalawigan ng mga lokal na grupo ng kultura para magtanghal sa anim na bayan ng Marinduque. Bahagi ang mga bayan sa pagtatanghal ng kanilang cultural showcase sa naging matagumpay na proyektong tinawag na "Viva Marinduque" "(Ani ng Sining).

Ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Marinduque naman ay nagdaos ng kauna-unahang "Araw ng Marinduque", bilang venue para sa mga pangsining at kulturang gawain. Isang ordinansa para sa pag-aampon ng Pebrero 21 bilang "Araw ng Marinduque", ang naipasa na tumutugma naman sa pagdiriwang ng National Arts Month.

Sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga programang outreach ng CCP ay naimbitahan din ang "Sining Kambayoka" mula sa Marawi City, naidaos ang isang Cinemalaya Festival, at mga kaukulang workshop na may kaugnayan naman sa sayaw at paggawa ng pelikula.

Biniray Festival ng Romblon, alay sa Sto. Nino.

ROMBLON

Ang Romblon ay kilala sa tradisyonal na paghabi at paggawa ng basket. Ang mga handicraft ay isang pangunahing industriya kung saan ang mga kababaihan ay nakikibahagi. Ang mga lokal na artisano ay kilala sa kanilang mahusay na gawaing kahoy. Halimbawa, ang Katedral ng San Jose ay nagtatampok ng gawaing kahoy na ginawa ng mga lokal na artisan dito.

Ang "Biniray Festival" sa Romblon ay isang siyam na araw na pangyayari tuwing Enero na bantog bilang isang napakasayang festival ng pagsasayaw at itinatag bilang collaborative na pagsisikap ng pamahalaan at ng lokal na simbahan bilang pagpugay sa Sto. Nino..

Ang isang espesyal na programa para sa Sining (SPA), ay sinimulan din ng DepEd sa Looc National High School kung saan ang mga mag-aaral ay sumasailalim sa pagsasanay sa pag-awit at pagsasayaw.

PALAWAN

Sa Palawan, mayroong "Sining sa Kalinangan ng Palawan". Ito ay isang sangay ng Palawan Craft Program ng pamahalaang panlalawigan. Ang programa ay nilikha noong 2002 ngunit noong Mayo 2006, ang espasyo para sa isang pasilidad ay itinatag sa provincial capitol building para magamit ng Sining.. Ang espasyo ay ginagamit na ngayon bilang isang multi-media cultural library at mumunting palabas para sa tradisyunal na mga bagay mula sa Palawan. Sa disenyo ng programa ay may dalawang mahahalagang elemento:

1). Upang magbigay ng edukasyon at outreach sa lahat ng mga naninirahan sa Palawan sa kahalagahan ng kultura sa pagpapaunlad ng Palawan, 2) Upang hikayatin ang pagtatatag ng kultura at sining na konseho sa lahat ng 23 munisipyo sa Palawan.

Sa ngayon, ang proyektong ito ay nagtagumpay sa pagkuha ng ilan sa mga visual arts ng mga Indigenous Peoples of Palawan na ipinapakita naman sa ilang mga lugar sa capitol building. Ang diorama ng 8-piraso na may kasamang teksto tungkol sa mga katutubo ng Palawan ay matatagpuan din sa kapitolyo.

Isa namang Kalinawa Art Foundation na naglalayong itaguyod ang pagpapaunlad ng visual arts sector ng mga indibidwal ang nakikipagtulungan din sa mga kaukulang proyekto sa Palawan bagama't ito ay nakabatay sa Makati City. Ang "Taunang Indigenous People's Visual Art Show" sa Puerto Princesa City ang isa sa mga naging proyekto.

Baragatan Festival, Palawan. Tungkol naman sa pagkakaisa ng Palawan
para sa pagkatatag ng kanilang pamahalaan noong 1905.

Sa sayaw, ang "Sining Palawan Dance Troupe" ang opisyal na dance troupe ng Palawan State University ay may record ng mga palabas sa iba't ibang mga rehiyon kasama na ang mga pagtatanghal sa San Francisco, California noong 2007.

Paminsan-minsan ang Pamahalaan ng Puerto Princesa City ay nakikipagtulungan sa CCP para sa mga proyekto ng Outreach sa mga palabas at mga pang-kulturang workshop.

SAMAKATUWID:

Sa iba't ibang antas samakatuwid, ang kultura at sining ay buhay sa Mimaropa. Ang kawalan ng mga konseho ng sining sa maraming lugar, na dulot ng ibat-ibang natatanging mga sitwasyon kada lugar, mula sa kakulangan ng mga pinagkukunan ng pondo hanggang sa interbensyon o panliligalig pampulitika sa ilang lugar, ay hindi pa rin kayang pahintuin ang mga aktibidad pangkultura at artistiko. Bagaman ito ay hindi isang pangkalahatang tuntunin, lumalabas na mas madaling maisaayos ang mga konseho sa mga mas urbanized na lugar - kung saan naroon ang pera. Gayunpaman, ang mga malalaking sponsors sa mga lugar na ito ay nakakaranas din ng tinatawag na donor fatigue. Sa mas maliliit na bayan, ang mga ito ay nananatiling hamon.

"GINTONG BINHI"

Ang 1st MIMAROPA Arts & Culture Summit sa Marinduque bilang bahagi ng NCCA Institutional Promotion in the Region

"Gintong Binhi", ang 1st Mimaropa Arts & Culture Forum, ay isang naging venue para sa pagsulong ng mga programa ng NCCA sa rehiyon. Ito ay mapabuti o i-refresh ang mga kasanayan sa mga konseho ng sining at mga organisasyon sa Program Development, Project Management, & Paggawa ng Panukala; magtatag ng mga mesa ng NCCA sa mga LGU, mga paaralan, at mga institusyong kultural; palakasin ang pakikipagtulungan ng LGU-NCCA sa pag-promote ng sining at pangkultura at ayusin ang adhoc ng Regional Arts & Culture Network sa rehiyon.

(Nota: Unang naipost ang artikulong ito sa Ingles noong 2010. Sa loob ng nakaraang pitong taon ay naging mas masigla at naging mayabong pa ang mga gawaing pangsining at pangkultura sa Mimaropa, tatalakayin sa susunod na pagkakataon).