AKIKO THOMSON IN GASAN

Former Olympian Gillian Akiko Thomson, now commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission was a guest of the municipality of Gasan in connection with a sports clinic for women. Thomson was accompanied by other PSC officials during the 3-day event that ended yesterday with a fun-run from Bacong-Bacong to the poblacion. The run was participated in by women who joined the two-day competitions in volleyball, softball, badminton and sepak takraw. Thomson won two gold and two silver medals in swimming during the Southeast Asian Games in 1992.




The PSC officials also graced the "Pinaka" food contest held at the Guingona Park activity area where Gasan's barangays competed for the biggest and tastiest native delicacies like bibingka, suman, espasol, puding na balinghoy with new ingredients introduced like malunggay, mongo, peanuts and pork.

These activities are part of the town's quadricentennial celebration that falls on August 20 this year. Activities include other competitions in different sports, "Layag Ko", drum and lyre, cheerdance, modern dance, ballroom dancing, walkathon for senior citizens, beauty pageants (Bb. Gasan and Miss Gaysan), and Kalesayahan Festival.

(In photo: Akiko Thomson (right) with Gasan Mayor Vicky Lao Lim; a girl tries her hands at volleyball)

"MARINDUQUE: ECOTOURISM CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES"

(Written by David B. Katague, the following article appeared in HULIQ NEWS, a U.S. based independent news organization devoted to promoting information. Their news comes from Huliq editors, organizations that submit news stories, and citizen journalists. www.huliq.com)

MARINDUQUE: ECOTOURISM CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

Marinduque, my small heart-shaped province, 30 minutes by air, south of Manila is known worldwide as the Lenten Capital of the Southern Tagalog Region because of its Moriones Festival during Holy Week . Today, the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Bong Carrion is promoting Marinduque as the Ecotourism Capital of the Philippines.


The provincial government ecotourism projects are headed by Head of the Tourism Department, Gerry Jamilla and Allan Jay Velasco, Provincial Administrator. The first project starting development this year is the ECO Park at the Luzon 1911 Datum site in Silangan, Mogpog. The Luzon1911 Datum marker and location established that it was the geodetic point marker for all map makers of the country. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines in their document dated July 31, 2007 refers to this triangulation document that this marker is the geographical center of Marinduque as well as of the Philippines . It's coordinates are: 13 degrees, 33 minutes and 39.82 seconds NORTH and 121 degrees, 52 minutes and 8.17 seconds EAST. This site has received support from National Mapping Resource and Information Authority( NAMRIA). From what I heard the development of an ECO park has been started by NAMRIA and is now becoming a popular tourist spot for those who love to hike as well as for bikers. The view at the top of the hill is spectacular. The hike is quite hard for senior citizens, but a not too hard a walk for the young and adventurous.
Several other tourist attractions and sites are now considered for development under the Green Tourism Concept by the Provincial Government. These are the Sibuyao Falls in Torrijos, the Palo Maria White Beach in Maniwaya Island and the Tarug Caves in Mogpog. The Palo Maria white beach is touted to be an alternative to Boracay. In addition to the above tourist destinations, the private resort, Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa that was completed last year has already attracted a lot of tourists from Japan and Korea. It was design to look like Santorini Island, Greece where all the building are white and sticking on the cliffs.

Just recently, a hidden cave and subterranean river was discovered in San Isidro, Santa Cruz. This discovery brought a lot of excitement to the tourism officials as well as the local barangay officials. Inside the cave, the clear white water of the river are big shrimps and eels and a small waterfall. The caves are inhabited by swallows and huge bats. It will take 2 hours to complete exploration of the caves and the underground river. If this is developed and preserved, it will be a good competition of the Palawan subterranean river system in attracting tourists all over the world. Palawan's subterranean river is the most visited tourist spot in the Philippines. It is listed in the top ten natural wonders of the world.

Governor Carrion in his State of the Province address last year, emphasized the concept of Green Tourism. He stressed that Green Tourism brings together elements of ecology, cultural, agriculture, and even sports or adventure Travel. He said, there are several labels used to refer to Green Tourism today, but he said the definition remains the same. Low impact and environmentally friendly tourism that cherishes, not destroy. Green tourism offers leisure and learning activities where visitors are encourage to enjoy nature and culture, and interchange with the locals in agricultural, mountain or fishing village settings. Carrion said that as a Market Strategy, Green Tourism is most ideal for Marinduque Island Setting. He says it taps into the growing demand for more Holidays and that concerns for the Environment and Global Warming grows daily- so that ecotourism will certainly increase in number for the long term and in the future years.

There is another project that the province has been involved-the Forest Project by DBP/DENR. This involves watershed rehabilitation, fruit tree forestation and mangrove rehabilitation in an aggregate area of 500 hectares as authorized by DENR( Dept of Environment and Natural Resources). Retired General Recaredo Sarmiento, former chief PNP, is the Project Consultant for the Forestation Project. To date about 61 hectares have been covered, 18 hectares at Brgy Canat have been planted with fruit trees, 27 hectares of fruit and forest trees in Santa Cruz and Torrijos and another 15.5 hectares of mangroves have been rehabilitated also in Santa Cruz and Torrijos. Directly benefiting in this program are 33 cooperatives, 33 barangays equivalent to 175 families.

In line with the above topic, the Governor issued an Executive Order declaring Green Tourism as the OTOP (One town, One Product) of the province. There are other tourist attraction being developed not directly related to Ecotourism. These are Battle of Pulang Lupa Commemoration, Araw Ng Marinduque and the annual Moriones Festival. I hope that in the next ten years, Ecotourism will be a success in my poor beloved island of Marinduque-The Heart of the Philippines.

By David B Katague
tagajaro@comcast.net
http://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com

POGS IN MARINDUQUE FOR MEDICAL MISSION

For the first time in its long history, the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS)is conducting a medical outreach program in Marinduque. Some 24 members of the Society arrive today for a two-day mission (July 29-30), to undertake gynecological operations to 17 patients, ultrasound examinations, tubal ligation to 10 patients, conduct pap smears and single visit inspection approach to more than 100 patients, and give a lecture on adolescent reproductive health to some 800 high school students.

Dr. Annette Macayaon, an active member of the Society who works at the provincial government-ran Dr. Damian Reyes Memorial Hospital in Boac, paved the way for the holding of this mission in Marinduque to reduce maternal mortality for our local women. The Southern Tagalog Chapter of POGS and Sanofi-aventis a diversified health care company focused on patient's needs are sponsoring the mission.

The Marinduque mission is led by Dr. Mayumi Bismark, chair of POGS committee on community service, and Dr. Ernesto Naval, president of the regional chapter. Gov. Bong Carrion hosts a luncheon for the mission today at the provincial capitol.

MARINDUQUE IN INTRAMUROS

Today's the opening of "INTRAMUROS: HISTORY TOWN PHILIPPINES" organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions with the participation of the southern Tagalog provinces incuding Marinduque. Tight budget for the province's culture and tourism programs did not prevent it from participating.

Gov. Carrion, provincial tourism czar Allan Velasco, Gerry Jamilla and Joven Lilles of the tourism office grace the opening program (at 4:00 pm Clamshell, Intramuros), and also show a video especially prepared for the occasion by the group, including this blogger. A brainstorming session for Marinduque's tourism promotion with DOT representatives, DTI officials and PR consultants is also set to be held within the event period. The tourism showcase runs from today until August 10.

On Saturday, August 8 at 6 p.m. a Marinduque cultural showcase featuring MSC's Sambayang Sining Lahi will present Marinduque songs, dances, and 'putong', together with a moriones group from the capitol. VIVA MARINDUQUE!

(In photo is Torrijos' Tuba Festival)

CORY QUIRINO IN MARINDUQUE TODAY

Cory Quirino is in town. The granddaughter of the late Philippine president Elpidio Quirino was the special guest at this morning’s culmination of the provincial capitol’s celebration of Nutrition Month. Board member Allan Nepomuceno (as the committee chair on health services) opened the program at the capitol grounds with remarks on the close political affiliation of his uncle, Ricardo Nepomuceno, with Pres. Quirino during his time and what they, together, achieved.

Cory Quirino, a well-known motivational speaker on wellness and self-empowerment spoke a little about his grandfather, who rose from humble beginnings, but one who had a dream and pursued it. The TV and radio show host, also gave a first hand account of her ordeal in 1995, when she was abducted by armed men during an out-of-town shoot in Laguna, and how she came out of it unscathed. This, she attributed to the power of faith, prayers and positive thoughts. The experience was chronicled in her book, “Waiting for the Light”, later made into a movie that starred Ara Mina. Cory spoke to the capitol employees on the importance of having a healthy lifestyle and the benefits of dwelling on positive thoughts.

Cory cited personal experiences as a broadcaster and how this most dramatic of her experiences turned her into an advocate on the promotion of service to others, goodness, health, beauty and wellness. She hosts the Sunday DZMM program, “Ma-Beauty Po Naman”. She also authored the book, "Forever Young".

This is Cory’s first visit to Marinduque and was thus treated to a special “putong” welcome ritual by the capitol employees. She also raffled off prizes, beauty products, from her company, Cory Quirino World of Wellness. After the capitol program hosted by this blogger and organized by Ms. Robie Sosa of PNO, Cory then motored off to Buenavista in the company of Ms. Sosa, Ramon Carrion, Marinduque Victorian’s College’s Jules Pernia and his mother. Cory is also special guest at MVC’s school activity on health promotion.

BULUSUKAN FALLS: Marinduque Adventure Series

Bulusukan Falls flows from the remaining forests of Bagtingon, in Buenavista, Marinduque, Philippines. The place has been identified through a study conducted by Prof. Panchito Labay of MSC as the biggest natural habitat of butterflies in this island-province. With more than 300 endemic butterfly species found in this area alone - apparently attracted by the high volume of negative ions in said place - the butterfly industry here have found a few followers.

Other endemic species of animals found here are monkeys, wild cats, deer and boas. Unique tropical flora also abound. The Falls remain a popular picnic place for young people from Buenavista, Gasan and nearby towns.

MOUNTAIN BIKING IN MARINDUQUE

MARINDUQUE ADVENTURE SERIES. Many ideal mountain biking routes near coastal areas and around central Marinduque have been mapped out by the local tourism office. Many such routes cut through rivers, streams, waterfalls and man-made lakes. Venue for the race in this video is the area around an old minesite at Capayang, Mogpog. The first Filipino to climb the summit of Mt. Everest, LEO ORACION and his girlfriend, who joined the local mountain bikers in this activity, are also in the video.

GOV. BONG'S 61ST B-DAY

Gov. Bong Carrion received well-wishers during his 61st birthday on June 19 at the provincial capitol. Present during the well-attended gathering were barangay captains, municipal officials, employees from the different provincial government departments and representatives from the line agencies. Carrion was accompanied by his lovely wife, Armi, his sister Bing, and brother, Ramon. Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Esplana of the Diocese of Boac

Huge birthday posters greeted the governor at the balloon-festooned capitol lobby that also served as venue for a brief program and a ‘putong’ fete organized by the capitol employees in his honor. After lunch was served for the hundreds of well-wishers, Carrion distributed sphygmomanometers and stethoscopes for all of Marinduque’s 218 barangays through the village leaders present.

MARINDUQUE CULTURAL SHOW IN INTRAMUROS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 8.

The Department of Tourism in cooperation with CALABARZON and MIMAROPA regions will be showcasing these two regions as primary travel destinations. The event, dubbed “Intramuros: History Town Philippines” will be held from July 27 to August 10, 2009 at Clamshell, Intramuros, Manila. Exhibit booths and cultural showcases from the regions will be featured nightly. For Marinduque, a Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa tourist booth will be set up.

At the same venue on Saturday, August 8, at 6:00 pm a “Marinduque Special Night” organized by the provincial tourism office will be featuring MSC Sambayang Sining Lahi under the artistic direction of Prof. Rex Asuncion of Marinduque State College and a capitol group of the colorful ‘Moriones’. Sambayang Sining Lahi has performed in the six towns of Marinduque as part of the ‘Viva Marinduque’ cultural showcase. The group will present researched folk songs and interpretive movements and the ‘putong’ ritual.

The Marinduque Community in Metro Manila is cordially invited to visit Intramuros and watch the Marinduque show!

BITIK CAVES - MARINDUQUE ADVENTURE SERIES

Bitik Caves located in a barangay with the same name in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque is another unexplored cave system inspected by the cave exploration team of the provincial tourism office. Information was obtained from local folks that the cave is not less than one kilometer in length and leads to another village, Buyabod. Halfway through, the team encountered bad air cave. With decreased oxygen further exploration was aborted. Sea and fresh water meet in one of the cave's entrances.

MARINDUQUE ADVENTURE SERIES: 1st Defensive Shooting Competition

Called the 1st Governor Bong Carrion Cup, the first defensive shooting competition was recently held at the old CMI minesite in Capayang, Mogpog in Marinduque. Organized in cooperation with the Morion Combat Pistol & Rifles Association (MCPRA), and Team ARMSCOR Shooting & Hunting Club of Manila, the event saw no less than Carrion and provincial administrator, Allan Velasco trying their hands at target shooting with pistols.

The old minesite (formerly known as Consolidated Mines, Inc. that closed down in the 60's) has, during the last couple of years, been converted as a site for adventure sports activities including local games and mountain biking competitions.

MARINDUQUE'S NEWEST DISCOVERY: A HIDDEN CAVE WITH SUBTERRANEAN RIVER

The first underground river to have been found in Marinduque was recently discovered by a team led by provincial tourism officers. This find, together with the development of existing sites unique to the island, augurs well for combined LGU efforts under Gov. Bong Carrion to promote the island-province as an eco-tourism destination in the region - the San Isidro Cave and Subterranean River, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, Philippines. Village leaders in San Isidro now bent on carefully preserving the site.

To the old folks of the village of San Isidro, the cave is referred to as 'Bagungbungan', a place avoided even by the curious, as it has been associated with phantom stories reinforced by actual accounts of persons who have gone to the cave periphery and, without a trace, disappeared.

Two weeks ago, provincial tourism chair Allan Velasco together with the tourism team, revisited San Isidro cave and conferred with the village chief (who hadn't been to the cave, himself), on the importance of community involvement to preserve the state of this natural treasure.

SEAIR WILL FLY TO MARINDUQUE BY AUGUST; INTL. TOUR GROUP VISITS BELLAROCCA AND MARINDUQUE MAINLAND

The saints may have intervened somewhat in a matter where many souls are together in prayer, alright, who is to say? Senior Vice-President for Commercial Affairs of Seair, Patrick Tan, announced during a recently held tourism event in Marinduque that their 19-seater Seair-LET aircrafts would start flying regularly to the Marinduque Airport starting next month (August).

An all-important event held at Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa dubbed “I Travel / I Explore” from July 7-9, 2009, involved tour operators and media persons from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, KSA, USA, France and other countries who are into organizing international conventions, meetings and exhibits. Said visit was organized by the Department of Tourism and Philippine Tourism Authority in cooperation with Annset Holidays, Bellarocca Island and the Provincial Government of Marinduque. The agents were flown in to Marinduque via a chartered Seair-LET aircraft courtesy of the provincial capitol.

Arriving guests had a taste of a festive Marinduque welcome at the airport with native flower and nito leis and a children’s choir singing folk songs, as they shook hands with local officials. They were treated to a “putong” ritual and “kalutang” music upon arrival at Bellarocca via speed boats. There, to depict rural farm life, resort male staff wore white shirts with red neckerchiefs while the women were clad in sayas.

After freshening up, the guests were treated to spa and massages by the Bellarocca pools or in the privacy of their villas.

Governor Jose Antonio N. Carrion hosted a themed dinner (Colloseo/Roma), at the resort poolside where a number of morions making their presence completed the ambience.

On the second day, guests had a taste of water sports activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and seascooter and golf. Straight from lunch they proceeded to a guided tour of some of Marinduque’s scenic spots. Visited were a butterfly farm in Gasan, the Boac Cathedral and Paadyao Falls in Bocboc, Mogpog. From the looks of it the VIP guests thoroughly enjoyed their Marinduque sojourn with endless praises and a spattering of “oohs” and “ahhs”. The unpredictable weather was quite cooperative throughout their three-day stay. Even Sta. Clara might have given her blessing.

As regards the needed repair and widening of the runway so that the other airlines waiting in the wings could come in, Gov. Carrion has taken it up anew with those concerned and the prospects are brighter now.

VIVA MARINDUQUE ON YOU TUBE: BULONG EXCERPT 2

Another excerpt from "Bulong". Cast were mostly students from Bognuyan National High School and out-of-school boys from the same area who joined our rehearsals as they had much time to spare.

VIVA MARINDUQUE ON YOU TUBE: BULONG EXCERPT 1

Excerpt of "Bulong" by Teatro Balangaw. Part of "Viva Marinduque!" performance series.

VIVA MARINDUQUE ON YOU TUBE: MORYONAN

Excerpts from "Moryonan" by Teatro Balangaw. Presented as part of "Viva Marinduque!" series of performances for Araw ng Marinduque-Phil Intl. Arts Festival '09.

VIVA MARINDUQUE ON YOU TUBE: INTRO

The "Viva Marinduque!" video has been shown on local cable-TV stations in Marinduque (Marinduque CATV and Lucky-7 Cable). This is the intro of that video.

LENT IN GASAN: MORE ON GASANG-GASANG FESTIVAL

This year is the seventh time that the Easter Gasang-Gasang Festival is being held in Gasan. It was initiated by Mayor Vicky Lao Lim in 2002 and was held annually up to 2005. It did not receive encouragement from the new municipal administration that took over in 2006 (and consequently was not held that year). In 2007, however, under the auspices of GASCUAF (Gasan Culture & Arts Foundation), a private foundation supported by Mayor Lao-Lim, Gasang-Gasang Festival" was revived but not without extreme pressure from the sitting administration then. GASCUAF and the participating contingents were not allowed to use public spaces (such as the Gasan Central School grounds and the Guingona Park). The organizers held this public activity in a privately owned niyugan, coconut farm in Libtangin, a few kilometers away from the town, where an open space was enough to accommodate a big-sized crowd.
There was no resistence when responsible members of the Sangguniang Bayan ng Gasan decided in the same year to adopt an ordinance declaring Gasang-Gasang Easter Festival as an officially-recognized festival of the said municipality with necessary funds to support it.

Mayor Vicky Lao-Lim won the elections in May 2007. Thus, highly successful and bigger "Gasang-Gasang Festivals" were held during the last three summers. It has found popular support and acceptance both here and abroad and has become the festival to see in Marinduque come Easter Sunday.

LENT IN GASAN: GASANG-GASANG FESTIVAL

It was in Gasan where scholars and journalists first discovered the existence of the Morions way back in the 60's. After it caught the imagination of the world in view of its uniqueness as a Lenten tradition, the introduction of ideas to come up with a more elaborate festival was entertained and pursued by the local leaders. Eventually, the holding of the evening cenaculo ("Pugutan" they called it because the play ends with the martyrdom of Longhino), was conceptualized in Gasan to replace the Easter Sunday moryonan street play (also called by the same name, Pugutan).

The "pugutan"-cenaculo was introduced during the incumbency of Mayor Mendoza. The commissioned playwright wrote then that it was intended to "put more meaning" into the ritual as this meaning "is lost" in the traditional street-play highlighted by the chase and mock-beheading of Longhino. Boac, the capital town followed suit years later, using the new Gasan script, the Malolos, Bulacan 'cenaculo' script, and additional scripts written by local writers.

The reason for the change propagated in Boac, then, and supported by many was for the bigger number of visitors and tourists to see the 'pugutan' in the form and context of a Saturday evening cenaculo, as most of them depart from Marinduque already on Easter Sunday morning.

The "Gasang-Gasang" concept was formulated this time is for present-day visitors and tourists to find good reason to stay longer on the island-province of Marinduque.

LENT IN GASAN: GOOD FRIDAY PROCESSION

'Pataraka boys', hooded boys in attires reminiscent of samurai movies, making loud noise with various types of pataraka, noisemakers made of bamboo or plywood lead the IFI (Iglesia Filipina Independiente)procession. (One of two major processions held in Gasan - the other one being that of the Roman Catholic Church). Their attires are in red, white and blue - the colors of the Philippine flag. The Marinduque IFI independent church is one of the earliest to be formally established after the Philippine revolution and schism with the Vatican.
Novicias. Young girls confine themselves for a number of days in the kumbento to engage in prayers, studies and meditation on the Passion of Christ. They join all Lenten religous mass and procession.
In Gasan, devotion to the Santo Sepulchro image, which is one of many icons lined up in the Good Friday procession, is reminiscent of the adulation given by followers to the Nazareno sa Quiapo. The rope used to pull the caro is a sought after item, later divided among believers and installed in a special place in pangulongs, fishing boats - anting-anting, charm for bountiful harvests.

LENT IN GASAN: MORIONES HIGANTES

In the early 60's one of many Philippine postcards published by a Manila-bookstore to promote the Philippines featured Gasan's Higantes. The dominance of these higantes may have waned during the last two decades. But this year they have been resurrected making a big comeback that took everyone by surprise. Taking on a new look in the form of giant Morions, all barangay clusters of Gasan participating in the Easter Sunday Gasang-Gasang Festival produced their own morion higantes this time, as part of their contingent and paraded around the poblacion. (Some shown here)

LENT IN GASAN: POPUA WOMEN

The practice of donning black sutana with their heads covered with popua leaves, as they go out into procession around central Gasan on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday, is exclusive to some women of this town. It is another form of panata, vow or sakripisyo, penance. Identities are concealed for personal religious beliefs and should not be flaunted in any manner by the subjects. Masks were normally for the menfolk, popua for the womenfolk.

MORIONES 2009 IMAGES: EASTER SANMIG NIGHT

After days of fasting and prayerful meditation for some, days of finding the meaning of all the rituals and superstition for some, or simply being in the midst of all mass curiosities in the enumerable things and images that comprise the Holy Week celebration in Marinduque, comes Easter. All of Christendom breaks into joyful celebration.

For the first time this year, the Moriones arena at the Boac riverbank was made the venue for an Easter evening concert with rockbands from Manila brought in by San Miguel Beer Corporation. Sanmig Night was the culmination of the Lenten celebration in Marinduque. For a hundred pesos equivalent to two beer-in-cans, entertainment and dancing that lasted well into the night, young people and the not-so-young had time to relax and have fun. Tomorrow means getting back to their daily routine - in the farms, the mountains, the seas, the big cities. But, enriched.

MORIONES 2009 IMAGES: ONE MORE SHOT FROM THE BOGNUYAN-BACONGBACONG MORYONAN GROUP

In the Battle of Morions competition, participants were required to present a choreographed march drill or synchronized movements to the accompaniment of a drum and bugle corps or any percussion instruments. The group from Bognuyan-BacongBacong (Gasan)utilized kalutang and batutong, bamboo instruments to produce their most unique rhythmic sounds. To drive home the meaning of Easter, an interpretive Resurrection scene was included as shown in this photo with a Kristo suspended in mid-air.

MORIONES 2009 IMAGES: RORO VESSEL & CRUISE SHIP

These two impressive buildings met at Cawit Port last Holy Week. Additional trip schedules were made by Montenegro Shipping Lines to accommodate the big number of people that flocked to Marinduque. Still not enough according to assessment - if one must insist on passenger comfort and safety. The culture of "puwede pa..." is so pervasive at this time of year.

MORIONES 2009 IMAGES: CRUISE SHIP TOURISTS

7107 Islands Cruise Ship included Marinduque in its 2009 Summer Cruise Special Package. The project was made possible in cooperation with the Office of the Governor and the Provincial Administrator. Coordination was also undertaken with the municipalities of Gasan and Boac, the tourism offices, the ports authorities, the jeepney operators and the Marinduque PNP (Philippine National Police).




Photos show the cruise-ship tourists at Cawit Port ready for their jeepney ride to Boac. Other shots of the cruise ship facilities were also taken by Gerry Jamilla.

MORIONES 2009 IMAGES: THE GOOD FRIDAY CROWD

This is the Good Friday Via Crucis religious crowd.

Lent is the season when Marin- duquenos who earn their living outside the province or those who might have settled elsewehere, and students taking up studies in Manila colleges and universities are expected by their families and relatives to come home. They represent the huge bulk of travelers to Marinduque beginning Palm Sunday.

It is estimated that during the Holy Week approximately 25,000 passengers enter the ports of Balanacan, Cawit, Buyabod and Gasan. Accommodation is not a problem for this type of visitors because they stay with their families. But small resorts, hotels and inns in Marinduque can only accommodate up to 400 guests (excluding the accommodations offered by Bella Rocca Island Resort). They are normally fully booked during this period. Home stay programs such as those in Gasan are therefore continually improved to make room for additional visitors.

For the rest of the year, hotel and resort bookings are easy to obtain, the reason why visitors are encouraged to visit the island-province when travelling is a breeze.

MORIONES 2009 IMAGES: YOUNG PENITENT

Young boy morion taking a break from the heat and mayhem.

MORIONES 2009 IMAGES: BOAC'S VIA CRUCIS - SPECTACLE LIKE NO OTHER

In Boac, and in many places elsewhere in the Philippines, participat- ion in the VIA CRUCIS or just watching it re-enacted in town streets has been an important exercise for devotees. Crowds of people from all walks of life line up the streets, to relive the suffering of Christ on the road to Golgotha. The spectacle that unfolds before their eyes, to many, bring them closer to God.

This transpires on Good Friday, an event that has always been a part of the Lenten rituals of yesteryears and has been carried on to this day. Yet, nothing in the world can match the uniqueness of the Boac spectacle. On this day, most of the people who have anything to do with church-related exercises on one-hand and government initiated events on the other, clad in their Jerusalem attire, gather in the town center along with the rest of the community to be part of this street play.

The man playing Christ is whipped hard with a rope by one or two morions, as he walks the streets with a cross, and falls for the first, second and third time. But behind them walking, running, scaring the children away are the throng of morions (that has more than doubled in number this year in view of the Battle of Morions competition). Somewhere behind in the midst of the morions are also seen the likeness of 'panatistas', penitents, playing 'Dimas' and 'Hestas' who are subjected to more brutal whipping and punishment often without reservation by the 'Roman soldiers'(local folks still associate these soldiers with Hudyos and call them as such). Further behind, in the scorching heat of the sun, the teeming crowd follows as Jesus' sympathizers.

The finale takes place at a man-made hill inside a walled complex in what is now known as the moriones arena at the Boac riverbank. There, the two 'thieves' are crucified with Jesus (Jesus has been portrayed in the Via Crucis by Meynard Penafiel, a provincial capitol employee, as a panata), before a mammoth crowd of humbled procession followers and plain spectators.

In truth, the Good Friday Via Crucis as practised in Boac beats all other cultural 'things to see' in Marinduque during Lent. Here lies the distinction between ritual and festival. The interplay of colors, human drama, humility, piousness, violence, suffering, blood, sweat, and grief in the very light of day may be more than enough to trigger a witness' transcendent experience.