MARINDUQUE'S THRUST FOR CULTURAL & TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

The Marinduque plan for a sustainable tourism development takes environment and culture to the center stage. The island-province's marine and wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas, its traditional arts and culture are integral components of this tourism development thrust.

DEVELOPING CULTURALTOURISM:

Marinduque, described in many ways as a microcosm of the Philippines isn't just about the 'moriones', nor 'putong' nor 'kalutang'. Some cultural and historical matters to be explored to strengthen Marinduque's identity and character as a provinceare the following:

Marinduque holds the key to understanding the country's pre-colonial history. Says historian Ambeth Ocampo: "Buried in a cave in Marinduque for centuries, they (Marinduque artifacts) were excavated in the late 19th century, brought to Paris and eventually ended up in a museum bodega outside Washington DC. Part of our (national) history lies in museums abroad and it will take sometime to analyze these artifacts to piece together our pre-colonial past."(The holding of a National Conference in Marinduque to gather historians, scholars, anthropologists and archaeologists to present papers on Marinduque has been set to Feb. 19-20, 2008)

Marinduque Tagalog is the root from which modern Tagalog has sprung, the language which has been made the basis of Filipino, our national language. (A conclusive study on this has been made as early as 1914).

Marinduque is the center of the Philippines. (Conclusive proof is the Luzon Datum of 1911 marker. This shall put to rest other claims to the contrary).

The Battle of Pulang Lupa staged in the mountain ranges of Torrijos shall be revisited and should be recorded in history books. (The international significance of the Battle and shaping of U.S. policy in fighting insurgency had its roots in this Battle).

Marinduque has its share of great men and women of national and international stature. (The list is long and must now be updated before they are forgotten).

New festivals based on indigenous arts and created by the different towns in recent years shall be promoted. (These include "Gasang-Gasang" (Gasan); "Bilabila" (Boac); "Malindug" (Buenavista); "Haring Karabaw" (Sta. Cruz); revival of "Tubaan Festival" (Torrijos)).

Existing cultural organizations and theatre groups shall be encouraged to promote traditional arts and strive for excellence in their craft. (The provincial government shall initiate projects along this line).

Local and foreign-based Marinduque associations shall be encouraged to play a more active role in tourism development.

Cultural profiling of Marinduque and identification of heritage structures. (Research and documentation per municipality of Marinduque's cultural traditions, native dances, songs, festivals, handicrafts, old houses, buildings, artifacts, historical personages, etc. (Increased awareness on Marinduque's cultural wealth to lay the foundation for the promotion of cultural tourism on the island).

DEVELOPING ECO-TOURISM:

The island's fragile eco-system was put to test when an environmental disaster occurred more than a decade ago. The Marinduqueno's high level of awareness on the need to save, protect and conserve has led to the identification and declaration of areas as sanctuaries and protected areas. Eco-tourism is a natural by-product.

BALAGBAG MOUNTAIN RANGE - This mountain range covering the municipalities of Buenavista, Gasan and Boac forms a wedge shaped north-westerly trending block with the Boac River on its eastern boundary, with a maximum height of 800 meters above sea level descending slowly at each north and south ends. This range consists of undulating old and second growth forest, grasslands, open fields and is the home of endemic species Marinduque butterflies, cloud rat, white breasted eagles, rufus hornbill, monkeys, deers and hundreds of species of insects. Karst topography covers the upper Duyay-Tiguion area characterized by caves, dolines and sinkholes.

This mountain range is ideal for outdoor activities such as bird watching, caving, trekking and camping. There are many points to access this area, through the interior roads from Malibago, Torrijos on the south, Mainit, Boac on the east, and Bagtingon, Buenavista and Tabionan, Gasan on the west.

CENTRAL MARINDUQUE MOUNTAIN RANGE - This mountain range straddling the municipalities of Sta.Cruz, Torrijos and Boac whose general topography are indicated as steep gorges, deeply entrenched streams and rivers, waterfalls and caves on its southern part. Great for outdoor activities, such as adventure races, camping, trekking, bird and butterfly watching, are home of old growth forest of dipterocarps, variety of species of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. The abandoned mines of Marcopper are located on its extreme northern portion ideal for 4X4 wheeling and the Makulapnit River Dam, a big man-made lake ideal for fresh water fishing and kayaking.

TRES REYES MARINE SANCTUARY - This area is located at the south-western part of the island province, consisting of the three (3) islets of Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar. Skin and scuba diving is the best outdoor activity on this sanctuary. In between the first islet of Gaspar and the mainland, was discovered sunken Chinese commercial junk of the Sung and Chang Dynasty. Recovered by a joint team of National Museum and private foreign salvage group were numerous porcelain plates, jars, skillets and others. On the third islet of Baltazar, is an underwater cave on its eastern part 60 to 90 feet deep. Wall drift diving is at its best early in the morning where variety of coral and some pelagic fishes would be clearly visible.. Occasional schools of hammerhead sharks pass the western depths of the islets. An American built lighthouse still stands and still working on the center of the islet. Gaspar also has an elongated sand bar that is best for family picnics and swimming, a funeral grotto used by pre-Hispanic Filipinos complete with human bones and shards of potteries on the east and some secluded white sand beaches on the south. BONLIW-CAGPO-POCTOY FISH SANCTUARY - This area is located on the eastern side of Torrijos, Marinduque established in cooperation of the local government of Torrijos, local fisherfolks, civic and non-government organizations. Covering its area are the few white sand beaches in the mainland and parts of mangrove areas. Within this sanctuary is the famous Poctoy White Beach, a favorite swimming and picnic area on this side of the province. One can have a very good view of Mt. Malindig on the south. Some of the private resorts owned by many Europeans are located here due to very nice secluded white sand beaches and coralline limestone formations. MALINDIG VOLCANO - The highest peak on the island at 1,157 meters is the home of different species of wild orchids and other endemic wildlife. Due to its height above 1,000 meters above sea level, by law is has been identified as a protected area. This mountain is a stratiform type of dormant volcano with three peaks, the highest is the northern peak, the center peak and the south peak. Trek and climb to the peak is rated as easy to moderate. Reachable via the circumferential road at Brgy. Sihi, Buenavista which is the regular jump-off area. The last third of the climb after the Radio Station atop the mountain will be a trek on a mix of mossy and closed canopy forest with its regular foggy surroundings.

Definitions:

MORIONES - The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks. The term "moriones" was concocted by the media in the 60s, but local inhabitants have kept the original term, "Moryonan". Many practitioners are farmers and fishermen who engage in this age-old tradition as a vow of penance or thanksgiving. Morions roam the streets in town from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday scaring the kids, or engaging in antics or surprises to draw attention. This street theater reaches its climax on Easter Sunday with the mock beheading of Longinus, the play's central figure. Over time, with increased commercialization and political influence or control coming into the picture, the Moriones tradition appears to have lost its appeal to foreign tourists but continues to delight natives coming home for the weeklong Lenten holidays. The Moriones or Moryonan tradition inspired the creation of other festivals in the Philippines where cultural practices or folk history are turned into street festivals. It will thus remain a unique tradition Marinduqueños will keep nurturing as a symbol of their identity. PUTONG - "Putong" is a traditional song-and-dance ritual performed by local folks as an expression of thanksgiving. Some versions could be traced from lines of the "Pasyon", the poetic narrative in Tagalog of the Passion of Christ that became popular here before the turn of the last century. "Putong" remains popular as a ritual that promotes good health, prosperity and success, and as a welcome ritual to honor visitors and guests to the island. "Putong" (also called "Tubong" in some parts of the island), involves crowning the honoree with flowers or gaily-decorated crowns. The honoree is then handed a scepter of palm leaves to symbolize power. Coins are then tossed up in the air for luck; a shower of petals and leaves follows for good health amid shouts of "Viva!" or "Mabuhay!" Fiesta food (with the ever-present "pansit" noodles), and drinks (such as "tuba", coconut wine), are then served to everyone present. KALUTANG - A small group of farmers and fisherfolks in Bangbang, a village in the town of Gasan appears to have been the first to introduce a Kalutang Band. "Kalutangs" are pairs of wood which when struck together produce notes of unique tonal quality. Only two to three notes may be produced by a pair of kalutang, such that intense focus and native discipline are required to enable each player to bang his kalutang at the right time to produce music ranging from folk to pop. The musical sound they make never fails to amaze listeners. To ensure that their musical skills are handed down to the younger generation, elementary school kids in parts of Gasan are taught by the Bangbang kalutang masters. While kalutang has been associated with Morions of old who used the same instruments to produce a mere cacophony of sounds, it is believed to have been once part of Mangyan culture.