The showcase will be presented in the six municipalities between February 9-26, 2008, simultaneous with the arts festivals within the islands of Luzon. The "Viva" project will feature cultural materials mounted by the Teatro Balangaw Ensemble in dance-drama form such as "Moryonan", "Bulong", "Pulang Lupa", and "Putong" with selected performers from Bangbang National High School and Marinduque Midwest College. Also featured are the Marinduque Provincial Capitol Choir and the Kalutang musicians of Bangbang.
The presentation will also be utilized as a venue for the promotion of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals. "Viva" is an interactive and collaborative project in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA), the local municipalities, participating schools, cultural organizations and NGOs. It is Marinduque's response to the "Ani ng Sining: Philippine Arts Festival 2008" project of the NCCA.
Under the "Viva" project, host municipalities will present their own showcase featuring cultural numbers (songs, dances, poetry or drama), as part of the performances.
Performances have been scheduled as follows: Boac Covered Court (February 9), Mogpog Covered Court (February 12), Torrijos Covered Court (February 16), Sta. Cruz Plaza (February 17), Buenavista Park (February 23), Gasan Municipal Tennis Court (February 26).
From February 16-21, 2008, various cultural, historical, artistic, sports, tourism and trade activities have been scheduled. On Day One, (Feb 16), buyers and tourists will be visiting "BARAKALAN AT TURISMO", a trade, tourism and food fair in Boac, showcasing the six municipalities' unique products.
On Feb. 18 pupils and students will compete in QUIZ-BEES AND ORATORICAL CONTESTS while youth and sports groups compete in "MARINDUQUE ISLAND AMAZING RACE" with the entire province as venue for the two-leg race. "HARANA", hosted by the Municipality of Sta. Cruz is an evening serenade of local songs will be joined in by all municipalities.
On Feb. 19-20 a NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MARINDUQUE where historians, researchers, anthropologist and archaeologists will present valuable papers on the island-province will be held at the Mogpog Central School Hall. In the evenings the curtains will rise for "BINIBINING MARINDUQUE 2008" Talent Night in Sta. Cruz and Coronation Night at the Marinduque State College Covered Court respectively. The pageant will see two candidates from each municipality competing for the crown and the right to represent the province in a national beauty pageant.
"Araw" culminates on Feb. 21 with a "GRAND PARADA" showcasing local color and the STREET DANCING FESTIVALS of the six towns of Marinduque. In the afternoon the holding of "PUTONG FESTIVAL" municipal showcases in the municipality of Mogpog, where the ritual is said to have originated, is expected to generate renewed interest on the "putong" song-and-dance ritual.
Capping the event will be the launching of the first "GAWAD NG MARINDUQUENO" search for the most outstanding Marinduquenos who have excelled in various fields of endeavour! It will also feature a "Viva Marinduque!" reprise.