Breathtaking Marinduque circus

Marinduque circus props

The filing of certificates of candidacies in the next five days will most probably give us an idea of how the conduct of the local election campaign will be carried out. But with certainty, it is another one that will morph into an unforgettable carnival. In this island, black propaganda and lies are oftentimes embraced by supporters of candidates who manufacture the lies to deceive the people more effectively.

Marinduque might be uniquely regarded as a political microcosm of the Philippines especially during the election period. Here, one would be amazed to know how facts and truth are accepted, at a certain point, as alien concepts. Validation of facts is never necessary for, the bigger the lie the more it would find believers in the poor, gullible populace. So let’s get ready for another time in local history when the greatest number of the biggest lies will be spread in the six corners of the island for the consumption of just a little over a hundred thousand voters.

Another thing that should no longer come as a surprise is to see how huge stacks of election money could suddenly make instant friends out of long-time political enemies. Then there’s the case of perennial candidates who, of course, are never serious in running but have the capacity to generate more blatant lies that will find support in many believers anyway. This type of candidates for an elective position is, in fact, encouraged and paid for by the professional manipulators to divide the votes in bailiwick areas. No matter, even if they are regarded as dakilang pambasag, with a new instant breed joining in, they all seem to take pride in the number of supporters amassed and prouder still for the money that’s already in the sacks.

In this election circus, an old circus line holds so true: A sucker is born every minute. 

There's always hope, yes, that the electorate will stand their ground. 

But it should interest mainstream media-practitioners to be in such a small, almost paradisical island where all the circus carnival elements just loom before your eyes without any effort, leaving you gasping for breath in their magnitude and insanity.

Marinduque as Destination of the Year 2013

Marinduque as 'Destination of the Year 2013' shouldn't really come as a surprise. Remember that it has been listed as One of the World's Top Islands in early 2010?

PhilippinesTourismCongress.com endorses the Island Province of Marinduque as the Destination of the Year for 2013 with the following article that appears in its privately-funded website:

The Island of Marinduque is covered in a forest of green. An idyllic poster province for eco-tourism, Marinduque is an example how beautiful and scenic an island can be when it is not over developed. Rising from an environmental disaster of a mining accident, Marinduque is set to become a major tourist destination.

Marinduque is a safe and peaceful place. Travelling around Marinduque, one cannot miss the welcoming smile of its people. Getting lost is next to impossible as a helping hand is always nearby to guide you to your intended destination. The jails are almost empty for the lack of criminality in the island.

The circumferential coastal roads of Marinduque are cemented and well maintained, making going around the island pleasurable. The public transport consists mainly of jeepneys and tricycles but air-conditioned vans are available for hire.

Being a net producer of agricultural products, the prices of food in Marinduque is lower compared to the Luzon mainland. Cows, goats and chicken in considerable quantity can be seen in the fields all over the island. The wet markets are full of sea food in their freshest state.

Marinduque has plenty to offer tourists. The white sands of Poctoy Beach, Elephant and Maniuaya Islands are comparable to other white beaches in the country.The sulfuric water of Buenavista’sMalbog hot springs is reputed to have medicinal properties. The Bathala Cave complex is a sight to behold after one overcomes the small entrance. Several waterfalls also dot the island.

Marinduque also boasts of many dive sites. Natangco Reefs in Mogpog and the Tres Reyes Islands are just two of the must see sites.

Welcome to the Island Destination of the Year – Marinduque 2013!

-Courtesy: www.philippinestourismcongress.com | www.sakamar.marinduqueno.com| Photo Credit: Ricky Gundran | www.mysticwaters.multiply.com 

Mabusay Falls, simple discovery, lasting thrill

The lasting thrill of simple discoveries. A group of college dudes encouraged by recent concreting of roads in central Marinduque ventures to explore forests, waterfalls and caverns previously unknown to most islanders. I didn't get to join them despite a friendly invyt. It was part of a birthday celebration (Richard's), in the woods for a change.

But the group of Azreil Oliveros, John Kenneth Lingcallo, Melvin Flores, Adrian Macapugay and Richard Nardo was just to eager to share their photos as their group's contribution to this site. I created a video based on said photos which please find below.

Azreil, they now call him their model for Mabusay Falls.

One of several shallow caverns found in the area. There are five waterfalls found there, quite apart from each other.

The group did gather these unique suso, snails, found in the cool waters,
cooked it in coconut milk and ginger with wild mushrooms on the side,
and their day was complete.

Mabusay Falls, Mahinhin beckons to the next explorers.

Mabusay Falls, Mahinhin, Boac, Marinduque

Opening of baseball and softball tournament in Boac

Opening of Elementary and Secondary Baseball and Softball Tournament in Boac.
Organizers led by Mayor Roberto Madla shown here during the opening of the games last Sunday.

Ms. Florida Calupig declares the opening of the games on behalf of Cong. Lord Allan Velasco.

The Marinduque National High School Drum and Lyre Band during the parade.

Participants take their oath of sportsmanship adhering to the highest standards of discipline no matter if they win or lose.

Oath delivered, so help them God. The tournament is part of a continuing project of the Office of Cong. Velasco implemented by the Municipal Government of Boac that started with the training of athletes and in officiating of softball and baseball games in this town.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps distributed in Marinduque

Ms. Florida Calupig, OIC, and Mr. Isagani Monroyo of the Marinduque Congressional District Office in Boac directing the execution of CFLs distribution.

 Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), are more beneficial compared to classic light bulbs that we know of. It has lower power consumption (up to 75%) and a much longer lifetime. A nationwide activity of the Department of Energy (DOE), is the distribution of around 3.6 million Compact Fluorescent Lamps to 187 congressional districts comprising some 57 party-list groups and 130 regular districts. CFLs will also be distributed to 17 DSWD Regional Offices. 

This activity is part of the DOE’s Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP).The nationwide distribution is sponsored by a grant from Asian Development Bank to contribute savings on electric consumption of beneficiary households nationwide.

In Marinduque, the distribution of 10,000 CFLs is undertaken by the Lone Congressional District Offices in Boac and Sta. Cruz extending logistical support in the distribution of the CFLs. Beneficiaries are required to present their electric bill for the required customer Service ID Number (SIN), with original bill collected by the said office. 

. Two (2) CFLs are then given to beneficiaries in accordance with the distribution procedure specification and they sign the distribution form. Consolidation and submission of required reports to the DOE are undertaken by the Lone Congressional District after the completion of the activity on September 28.

Some beneficiaries also lend a hand to ensure orderly distribution.

  

Recipients present their most recent Marelco electric bill.

Beneficiaries wait for their turn to receive two pieces each of CFLs.

Cong. Lord Allan Velasco takes a bride; "see you at the Church wedding", he says

"I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD MEET A MAN WHO HAD EVERYTHING I WAS LOOKING FOR: A HANDSOME LAWYER WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR, A LOVING HEART, AND A FAITHFUL SOUL. SOMEONE WHO COULD BE BOTH MY LOVER AND MY BESTFRIEND.. I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD MEET THE MAN OF MY DREAMS, UNTIL I MET YOU.. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE U LORD ALLAN!" - WEN

Lord Allan & Rowena Kristina Amara now officially husband and wife.
Private wedding ceremony was celebrated on September 21, 2012,
at the Presidential Suite, 26F, Diamond Hotel, Manila

With family friend, businessman Fidel Sy, SJ Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Mrs. Lorna Quinto-Velasco, the Bride and the Groom.

The Bride with Mom Lorna.

Wen with close friends.

Relatives, friends, supporters and the people of Marinduque now await the Church Wedding in 2013.

The Groom with close friends.

Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez was among those at the small
reception that followed.

Two hearts that now beat as One!

Small break for barangay Silangan

 Foreboding Silangan Cliffs

Silangan, a coastal village in Northern Mogpog in the periphery of Datum Station Balanacan, the point zero reference for Luzon Datum of 2011, therefore the geodetic center of the Philippines, is still hardly reached by many Marinduquenos. Access to Silangan by car or motorcycle particularly during rainy days render it impassable, so visitors prefer just going to Silangan by boat from Argao. 

The waters of Silangan with blinding white beaches, read.

Farm-to-Market Road in Sitio Basyao, Silangan. Local folks are beginning to realize that they live in a very unique place that people would like to experience.

The four-kilometer stretch of rough road from Argao to Silangan is punctuated by a 100-meter concreted road between Argao and Hinanggayon. The main road is cemented at Silangan central. 

Residents recently requested Cong. Lord Allan Velasco for concreting of a farm-to-market road in Sitio Basyao that also provides a trail leading to Datum Station Balanacan.

Far-flung quiet road that awaits nature's explorers.

Silangan barangay officials raise a banner for Cong. Velasco.

Unique tombs found in Mulanay, new treasure hunt in Marinduque

Feb. 26, 2011 photo released by the Philippine National Museum. Filipino archeologists gather items around a limestone coffin at Mount Kamhantik, near Mulanay town in Quezon province, eastern Philippines. Archeologists have unearthed remnants of what they believe is a 1,000-year-old village on the jungle-covered mountaintop in the Philippines with limestone coffins of a type never before found in this Southeast Asian nation, officials said, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Philippine National Museum, Joe Santiago) 

From AP The Big Story Sept. 20, 2012 by Jim Gomez

"Archaeologists have unearthed remnants of what they believe is a 1,000-year-old village on a jungle-covered mountaintop in the Philippines with limestone coffins of a type never before found in this Southeast Asian nation, officials said Thursday.

"National Museum official Eusebio Dizon said the village on Mount Kamhantik, near Mulanay town in Quezon province, could be at least 1,000 years old based on U.S. carbon dating tests done on a human tooth found in one of 15 limestone graves he and other archaeologists have dug out since last year…

"The archaeological site is part of 280 hectares (692 acres) of forest land that was declared a government-protected area in 1998 to keep away treasure hunters and slash-and-burn farmers. Treasure hunters looking for gold exposed some of the limestone tombs years ago, but it was only last year that Manila-based archaeologists started to unearth the graves and artifacts and realize the significance of the find.

"Treasure hunting has damaged many archaeological sites in the country. In the early 1990s, Filipino archaeologists led by Dizon discovered that 2,000-year-old burial jars with unique human face designs had been destroyed by treasure hunters in a cave in Maitum town in southern Sarangani province.

"Archaeologists worked for a few years to glue the sack loads of clay shards piece by piece and restored more than 150 ancient burial jars to shape. Some of the Maitum jars are displayed at the National Museum in Manila with a plan to exhibit them in France next year, Dizon said.”

Mulanay is a neighboring town of island-Marinduque.

New treasure-hunting activities in Marinduque

Meanwhile, new reports of treasure hunting activities in Marinduque have resurfaced with diggers active again in another site believed to be hiding buried treasures. They reportedly come equipped with hand-held jackhammers to drill holes at the site. As in an earlier case concerning the digging of a suspected treasure site in Gasan that raised official concerns from the town’s local officials, the same group of people is apparently engaged once again in such digging in the new suspected treasure site with the knowledge of certain high-ranking local government officials.  

Cong. Velasco's barangay projects in Gasan

Gasan's ABC Hall

In the town of Gasan, Marinduque improvement of the Gasan ABC Hall through the construction of a third floor funded through Cong. Lord Allan Velasco’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), construction of Pinggan Covered Court, construction of a classroom in Banuyo Elementary School,  and various farm-to-market road concreting projects in identified barangays, have been undertaken by the DPWH from the same fund source. Improvement of barangay multi-purpose buildings are in various stages of implementation alongside installation of water supply systems.

Pinggan Covered Court
For the 1^st tranche of PDAF 2012, bids and awards have been concluded by end of July and beginning of this month of September 2012 by the DPWH. Some of these projects are farm-to-market roads in Gasan (Antipolo, Dili), Boac (Tampus, Bangbangalon, Buliasnin, Tugos, Maybo), Mogpog (Silangan, Mendez, Laon, Market-Site to Janagdong), Buenavista ( Daykitin, Bicas-Bicas), multi-purpose buildings in Boac (Cawit, Tabi, San Miguel), Gasan (Bangbang, Mahunig), Buenavista (Brgy. Cuatro, Tungib-Lipata, Brgy. Dos, Malbog) and Torrijos (Malibago).

Dawis Farm-to-Market Road

Watch the video below of Cong. Lord Allan Velasco's barangay projects in the town of Gasan implemented by the DPWH and Marelco (in the case of sitio electrification). The government's sitio electrification and barangay line enhancement program was made possible through the intercession of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and congressional legislators. Read

Gasan Barangay Projects of Cong. Lord Allan Velasco

Dalawang buwig ng saging

Bananas grow abundantly in the island of Marinduque. Their fruits normally develop in a single hanging cluster or stem. But this exceptional  laturdan tree found in Balanacan produced two hanging clusters, buwig, bunches.

More stringent rules for borrowing LGUs issued

by dofweb

THE BUREAU of Local Government Finance (BLGF) has made more stringent the requirements for local government units (LGUs) applying for authority to borrow money from banks and other financial institutions.

Local Finance Circular 1-2012 laid out new documentary requirements which LGUs need to submit to BLGF before they can be granted Certificates of Borrowing and Debt Service Capacities should they need to borrow money.

The circular, signed April this year by Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, whose department oversees BLGF, superseded Local Finance Circular 1-2000 issued on January 19, 2000.

“We need to make sure that LGUs do not abuse their right to borrow to the detriment of their constituents,” Purisima said on Wednesday.

Original requirements under the earlier circular are the following: statement of actual income and expenditures and certification of internal revenue allotment (IRA) received for the past three years; certification of taxable assessed value for the past three years and dates of the last general revision of real property assessments; certification of existing loans, if any and annual audit report from the Commission on Audit for the past three years.

Under the new circular, the following documents were added to the original requirements:

• letter-request from the local chief executive indicating the lending institution and the purpose and terms of the loan;
• certification of absence or existing and approved loans, when applicable;
• certification by local accountant that LGU has not incurred default in payment of amortization of an existing loan;
• certification from the secretary of the Sanggunian or the local legislative body that the proposed project to be financed by the loan is included in the Approved Annual Investment Plan for the current year;
• authenticated copy of the resolution authorizing the local chief executive to negotiate and contract a loan in behalf of the LGU;
• certification issued by the lending institution stating that it shall not require LGU deposits as compensating balance for the loan if the lender is a private entity;
• Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and;
• proof of compliance with the full disclosure policy of the DILG

Purisima said fiscal discipline should also be exercised by LGUs and not only by the national government.

“We have made significant reforms, one of them the directive to revised assessed real property values, in order to allow LGUs to raise more revenues. The idea is that you spend only as much as you earn,” the Finance chief said.

“But should you need to borrow, as the national government does, we want to make sure that these units have healthy balance sheets enough not only to cover their loans, but more importantly to continue their service to the people in the long run,” he explained.

Marinduque teacher wins as one of Ten Outstanding Teachers

Mariam B. Rivamonte, 7th from left, is shown here with co-winners and DepEd officials during a visit to the DepEd Central Office in Pasig.

Marinduque has produced a winner in the 2012 Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers. The final board of judges chaired by Senator Ralph G. Recto has chosen Mrs. Mariam Belarmino Rivamonte as one of the ten winners in the Elementary Competition. Mrs. Rivamonte, born on May 1, 1976, is a native of Santa Cruz, Marinduque. She is currently Master Teacher II at the Santa Cruz South Central School in Banahaw, Sta. Cruz. Rivamonte is the first awardee from Marinduque.

Rivamonte’s winning could go a long way in encouraging more jewels of the teaching profession in Marinduque to come forward and be recognized through the Metrobank Search. This year’s crop of winners is dominated by teachers in public schools, seen as an affirmation to the thrust of the government to improve the quality of instruction in the public school system. A courtesy call of the awardees at the House of Representatives has been scheduled.

SB Gasan joins Marinduque First Saturday Movers in opposing capitol loan

Marinduque First Saturday Movers logo.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Gasan has issued a Resolution supporting the move of Marinduque First Saturday Movers, a Marinduque organization opposing the plan of the Provincial Government of Marinduque for a multi-million peso loan for infrastructure projects. Read. 

The Sanggunian maintains that the loan will aggravate the province’s financial situation and that it would jeopardize basic government services. It also maintains that the amount being loaned has no clear program of works, and “the timing of the loan is suspect”. Copies of the said Resolution No. 20012-118 have been sent to the relevant institutions for their information.

Marinduque First Saturday movers is a Manila-based organization composed of well-known professionals, businessmen, and former high-ranking government officials from Marinduque who have held national and local government positions. It sees itself as an organization committed to unifying Marinduquenos and friends of Marinduque, providing moral support and dissemination of information, among others, toward improving quality of life for the people of this island-province.

Gasan SB Resolution No. 2012-118.

Battle of Pulang Lupa local hero Lucio Quinto remembered

Invitation to the 112th Battle of Pulang Lupa Commemorative 

Program at the Torrijos Covered Court

 Key to the success of the Battle of Pulang Pula was the participation of local revolutionists in Torrijos, led by Lucio Quinto. He was the municipal presidente of Torrijos at that time, providing Abad with vital information on the movements of the Americans and in helping Abad execute his plans by supplying rifle and bolo-carrying men from Torrijos. The association between Abad and Quinto remained even after Abad’s surrender to the American forces in April 1901.

The American Army believed that the guerillas might have had up to 300 weapons, including the arms taken from Shield’s party by the guerillas, yet by mid-1901 the Army had recovered only 186 rifles and 12 revolvers.

Then we find the following entry from the Report of Philippine Commission on the Constabulary Force in Marinduque and its arrest in 1902 of Quinto, Abad, Pedro Lardizabal and others:

“In the month of January 1902, 25 rifles were found hidden away in the hills and guarded by two ex-insurgency soldiers. These rifles were found by Inspector Schuetz. Inspector Smith made a thorough investigation which resulted in the arrest of the clerk of court of first instance, an ex-colonel of insurgents named Maximo Abad, he being implicated the deepest, and Pedro Lardizabal, an ex-major of insurgents, Ramon Revilla, Victor Revilla, and Estanislao Pernia, ex-insurgent soldiers, and the president of Torrijos, Lucio Quinto.

“Inspector Smith had a very difficult time in getting evidence against these men, as all the natives seemed to be impeding every effort of his, and the justice of the peace preferred counter charges against him. However, all of those arrested were convicted by the court of first instance and received sentences of from one to ten years for sedition.”

Quinto, married Viviana Marquez and they had nine children, the oldest surviving daughter, Estefania Q. del Mundo is now 95 years old and continues to reside in Torrijos. Congressman Lord Allan Quinto Velasco is a fourth-generation scion of the Quinto-Marquez family.