The island province of Marinduque, home to the famed Moriones Holy Week rites and the iconic Roman-inspired “moryon” devotees, marked a new milestone as it recently celebrated the 105th anniversary of its reestablishment.
Themed “Isang Alab, Isang Marinduque,” the four-day observance unmasked the hidden face of the province with a bevy of activities to reveal its magical allure.
Known as the “Heart of the Philippines,” Marinduque is considered as the geodetic center of the archipelago as mapped by American engineers through the Luzon Datum of 1911.
The hilltop stone marker in Mogpog town can be ascended through a staircase and winds up at an observatory overlooking the bay and the rolling hills.
“Every journey or every loop starts from the heart of the archipelago, and we can surely give visitors a heartwarming experience and a heartfelt hospitality,” outgoing governor Presbitero Velasco said.
White beach-crazed travelers can revel at its alluring coastline and idyllic isles, among them Tres Reyes Islands, Polo, Mompong and Maniwaya, where Palad sandbar appears on low tide.
Poctoy Beach in Torrijos has a long stretch of fine sand and crystalline water, a dive shop, and the posh Amara Resort and Beach Villas, an exclusive luxe hotel noted for its indigenous architecture and interior design. Beneath the sea, it has a gallery of moryon statues and lush coral gardens which scuba divers can explore.
Other natural tourist magnets are its caves and waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, therapeutic hot springs, the 1,157-meter Mt. Malindig, and butterfly gardens which attest to the area’s rich biodiversity which has made it the “butterfly capital” of the country.
Culture-wise, it is a treasure trove of customs, most notably the “putong” ritual where townsfolk serenade guests with native songs and dances and crown and shower them with leaves.
A must-see is the Immaculate Conception Church or Boac Cathedral, which is recognized by the National Museum as an Important Cultural Property (ICP).
Also not to be missed is the National Museum Marinduque branch which has a rich display of the iconic moryon masks and costumes, as well as excavated artifacts from around the province.
Another source of pride is the Battle of Pulang Lupa Shrine in Torrijos, a hilltop historical park which immortalizes the victory of freedom fighters over American troops in 1900 during the Filipino-American War.
Visitors can chill at night and travel back in time in Boac’s ancestral homes which have been repurposed into quaint tourist establishments.
Marinduque was reconstituted as an independent province under the American rule on Feb. 21, 1920, after being part of Batangas and Mindoro, and a sub-province of the former Tayabas province (now Quezon).
The celebration kicked off with an agriculture, tourism and trade fair and a historical forum which looked back at the province’s long history beyond its 105 years.
The main event during the celebration, the Reestablishment Day, featured a symbolic torch lighting, eucharistic celebration and wreath laying ceremony, and the State of the Province Address (SOPA) of Velasco where he underscored the gains it has made under his term.
Outstanding locals and national personalities were honored in the traditional Gawad Marinduqueño gala dinner.
The celebration’s public highlight is the float parade which featured the province’s iconic landmarks and the colorful Festival of Festivals where the six towns showcased their pride of place
According to Marinduque congressman Lord Allan Jay Velasco, the observance put the spotlight on the rich cultural heritage, natural gems, and the diverse attractions which can make the island the next tourist hotspot.
Spicing up the festivity was the PusoMoto: Heart of the Island Marinduque Circuit Motoring Adventure which lured hundreds of enthusiasts from several motorcycle clubs from all over the country, riding through 140 kilometers of scenic roads and 13 stations around the six municipalities of the picturesque island.
