"PAMBANSANG ARAW NG WATAWAT" KICK-OFF IN MARINDUQUE

(Colors currently displayed at the Capitol Grounds)


PAMBANSANG ARAW NG WATAWAT
KICK-OFF ACTIVITY
MARINDUQUE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL,
MAY 28, 2008 – 8:00 am

MESSAGE DELIVERED BY PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATOR
LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

Love of country, respect for the Flag and the elderly, patriotism and nationalism are values that are never outmoded. These values tend to surge when times are hard, like today in the face of a common enemy. Today’s enemy is not the foreign troops that Marinduquenos were faced with in 1898 and 1900 during the first and second phase of the Philippine Revolution – battles that are already familiar to us because we also commemorate them.

Marinduque today is continuously at war against poverty and we, the servants of the people know only too well the worth of a united, unified resolve against this real enemy. This war cannot be won with apathy, kawalan ng pakialam.

Love of country and patriotism, to me take on different forms now. Involvement and participation is the key. It is patriotic to campaign for issues, seek out good information, raise one’s voice and insist on what is right. Insist on clean elections, for one. That’s rallying behind the very Flag that we have hoisted this morning.

May I share with you, for all its worth, the story of the arrival of the first Philippine Flag for Marinduque from an account written by Ramon Madrigal:

“On June 27th, (1898), the Governor’s (Gov. Martin Lardizabal’s) courier, Canuto Vargas, arrived in Boac bringing the first Philippine Flag for the Province of Marinduque. A huge crowd of people went to Mount Santol to welcome the Flag as the flag-bearer was entering the town on Calle Real. The crowd was so big that only the Flag tied to a bamboo pole could be seen moving slowly, the flag-bearer could not be discerned.
Only when it reached the Provincial building that the bearer was recognized as Canuto Vargas, a short man who was sweating profusely and looking exhausted. The people were most excited to see and admire the first Philippine Flag in the Province – the Flag they came to know and to revere so much and so fondly.”

On behalf of Gov. Carrion, may we thank all our colleagues from the national and provincial offices who have come to join this morning’s ceremony.

Mabuhay ang Watawat ng Pilipinas!

SEARCHING FOR MARINDUQUE SYMBOLS

PULANG LUPA HIGHLIGHTS

Atop the Pulang Lupa mountain (Bolo),stands a small obelisk of marble tiles, a mute witness to a bloody battle that happened there 107 years ago, the Battle of Pulang Lupa which sent reverberating shock waves to the American high command and played out in American papers at that time. The difficulty in trekking that mountain (the 3-km rough road that leads to the site is slippery and dangerous when it rains), has caused annual cries and whispers of complaint from everyone when the main program commemorating the event is held there.

Only twice during the last 10 years did commemorative programs transpire. But then, saan pa kaya? As if the breathtaking panoramic view of Mt. Malindig and the eastern islands with the Bicol Peninsula beyond is not enough reward to the senses. But the spirit of Abad, Lardizabal, Vida, Quinto, et al, the true Marinduqueno Spirit must live on!

"AWIT SA PULANG LUPA"

Typhoon "Reming" in November 2006, and the tropical rains rendered the Pulang Lupa Shrine impassable for many months. In August 2007, we visited the site with a team from the capitol headed by Archt. Glenn Openiano and saw the challenge...

On September 13, 2007, the provincial celebration of the Battle of Pulang Lupa was held at the mountain site in Brgy. Bolo, Torrijos. Previous celebrations were largely confined to the municipality with activities held at the town center.

Thousands trooped to the site consisting of Boy and Girl Scouts, government officials and public employees, teachers, soldiers, descendants of the local heroes, performers from Mogpog("Pateado"), Boac (Moriones), Gasan (Pangkat Kalutang) and Torrijos ("Abukay"), including the Teatro Balangaw and Marinduque Provincial Capitol Choir. This video contains the Balangaw presentation of "Awit sa Pulang Lupa" and footages of our first inspection of the site.

YouTube: The Marinduque that awaits You!

REGIONAL TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS TO MEET IN MARINDUQUE

Tourism stakeholders from the CALABARZON & MIMAROPA provinces will travel to Marinduque for the biggest regional tourism gathering this year with the 14th Southern Tagalog Tourism Council Assembly. The event will be held from June 25-27, 2008, at Chateau du Mer, Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque and other activity spaces in Marinduque's six municipalities.

The assembly is held annually to further enhance the tourism potentials of Southern Tagalog underlining the importance of community-based support in the process. However, in an unpredented move, the STTC and the host province decided on the particularly focused theme: “Visit Marinduque Year 2008: Marinduque Rising!” as this year's theme. The opportunity to showcase Marinduque's distinct culture and tourism potentials thus looms for the province.

Various activities that allow visitors to immerse themselves in local cultural traditions in the grassroots are being prepared province-wide to ensure that visitors get the most out of every moment of their stay in the island-province.

Based on an initial visit by the STTC team led by president, Col. Andrew Nocon of Laguna, the choice was made for Chateau du Mer, a quiet resort in Amoingon Beach in Boac as venue for the assembly. The STTC assembly attracts 400 to 500 participants annually. "You should be fully prepared as we expect a bigger turn-out this year due to the increased interest on Marinduque lately!", said Nocon to the organizing committee led by provincial administrator Atty. Allan Velasco. The last two annual gatherings were held in Lipa City and Lucena City.

Marinduque, almost synonymous with the colorful Moriones Festival, prides itself as being at the geographical center of the Philippines and where the Tagalog language has sprung underlining its significant contribution to the development of the national culture.

Gov. Jose Antonio N. Carrion, meanwhile, emphasized that the province's potential to be a major tourist destination is being pursued by his administration. Its proximity to Manila, its old cultural character still intact and the presence of pristine white sand beaches are among its strengths, he said. Sta. Cruz' Palo Maria beach on Maniwaya island are among the hidden places that are beginning to attract developers alongside Poctoy white sand beach in Torrijos.

In what seems to be another deviation from the usual assembly schedule, the first two days of the gathering will allow participants to maximize their stay in Marinduque by visiting the whole islands' tourist sights, being exposed to local color and entertained by the host municipalities. Expected to grace the occasion on the final day are top tourism officials and special guests. Lecturers from public and private entities have been invited to present particular topics on the strengthening of regional tourism concerns.

MALINDIG VOLCANO & TRES REYES ISLANDS

Local myths and legends have been told and retold about these two places in Marinduque. Malindig originated from an archaic Visayan word "malindug" meaning 'steep' or 'elegant'. The volcano is nestled in Buenavista. The volcano's peak is the last bastion of biodiversity on the island of Marinduque. The view of Malindig from Elefante Island (to reopen soon as "Buenavista Island", an exclusive resort), has graced many travel magazines.

Tres Reyes islands (after the 'Three Kings', Melchor, Gaspar & Baltazar are their individual names are located off the coast of Pinggan, Gasan. On the biggest island, Gaspar, exist caves that have been used as burial sites of pre-colonial Filipinos, and where various artifacts including pre-colonial gold ornaments have ben found. Gaspar island is a marine reserve. Marine archaeological excavations have also ben conducted off the coast of the island that produced collections from the Ming dynasty period.

CALABARZON & MIMAROPA TOURISM COUNCILS MEET IN MARINDUQUE

Tourism representatives from 11 provinces and 6 cities of the twin Tagalog regions of Calabarzon and Mimaropa will soon sail to Marinduque for the holding of the 14th Southern Tagalog Tourism Council Assembly (STTC). Scheduled on June 25-27, the annual gathering will serve as venue for closer cooperation among the provinces to help boost the economic development of the region through stronger tourism programs. As host province, Marinduque's efforts in helping build the growth of tourism in the province will also be put into focus.





Gov. Jose Antonio N. Carrion has put to task Atty. Allan Velasco, provincial administrator, to oversee all the programs and preparations for the event and to see to it that all arrangements that befit a gathering of such importance would be done seamlessly. Carrion currently chairs the Mimaropa Committe on Tourism. Velasco met initially with local hotel and resort owners, through the local tourism councils, and conveyed to them the importance of undertaking similar preparations to ensure a pleasant and productive three-day stay in the island-province that projects itself as a new cultural tourism destination in south Luzon. The council, hotel and resort-owners welcomed the event as another shot in the arm for the local tourism industry.

A working committee has likewise been formed by Velasco to tap involved national and local agencies, both public and private, for support and assistance to ensure success. While registration fees shall be charged to cover food, accommodation and miscellaneous expenses, the host province assumes responsibility for local transport, cultural and governor's night, venue dressing, security, promotion and the like.

Scheduled to arrive on May 2nd for initial assessment of the venue and applied accommodation standards as required by STTC from the host LGU is STTC president, Col. Andrew Nocom of Laguna.

Meanwhile the Mimaropa regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT), headed by director Louella Jurilla has expressed full support to the event. The DOT and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) are among several agencies requested for support through the participation of well-known personages as resource speakers.

During the last two years the STTC assemblies were held in Lipa City (2006) and Lucena City (2007).