Stranded ang ilang pasahero sa Balanacan Port Photo courtesy: Nherizza Quinto

Stranded na ang ilang pasahero sa dami ng tao at haba ng pila sa Balanacan Port ngayong Lunes, Marso 28. Kaya naman muling pinapaalalahanan ang mga pasahero na magbaon ng additional na pagkain kagaya ng biscuit, sandwich at tubig. Magbaon din ng mahaba at maraming pasensya.

Gasang-Gasang Festival | Photo courtesy: Steve Javier

Naging makulay at masaya ang pagdiriwang ng Gasang-Gasang Festival sa Bayan ng Gasan, Marinduque. Ito ay ginagawa tuwing Holy Week, Linggo ng Pagkabuhay o Easter Sunday. It is in celebration of the origin of the name of the town "Gasan", which came from the term "Gasang-Gasang", a type of coral that used to be seen around the town's shoreline.

Photo courtesy: Steve Javier

Photo courtesy: Steve Javier

Photo courtesy: Steve Javier

Maraming salamat Steve, for sharing your photos.

Posted by: Romeo Mataac Jr, Marinduque News Portal

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP. Gina Reyes shows her proof of citizenship after being disqualified despite winning in the 2013 congressional race in Marinduque. File photo by Rappler

Former Marinduque Representative Regina Ongsiako-Reyes says that she and Senator Grace Poe faced similar disqualification cases but only differed on how the high court handled the cases

MANILA, Philippines – Only two weeks after the Supreme Court allowed Senator Grace Poe to run for president, an unseated district representative lamented what she called the “double standard” of the high tribunal in handling disqualification cases in lower elective posts in the Philippines.

Regina Ongsiako-Reyes is the first poll protester to invoke the controversial ruling on her own eligibility as representative of Marinduque province’s lone district.

In 2013, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) annulled her proclamation as the winning candidate since she lacked the one-year residency requirement for elected officials.

SC affirmed the poll body’s decision and in January 2016 reiterated with finality its almost 3-year-old decision and ordered House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte to swear in Lord Allan Jay Velasco, son of SC Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., who she beat during the 2013 congressional race by almost 4,000 votes. (READ: HRET, SC uphold rulings to remove Reyes as Marinduque rep)

Velasco inhibited from the case but Reyes alleged that he “wielded his influence” on the high court. (READ: Marinduque rep threatens to impeach Justice Velasco)

‘Similarities with Poe’

Reyes pointed out that her and Poe both faced disqualifications before the high court.

The only difference, she said, was that she, “a natural-born citizen with a birth certificate, whose parents are Filipino citizens, and are known public servants” was ruled ineligible to serve as district representative.

She added that, like Poe, she also executed an affidavit renouncing her foreign citizenship twice – on September 21, 2012 and on September 21, 2015 – which restored her status as a natural-born Filipino citizen.

With a little over two months before the May polls, Reyes said she will raise these arguments as she asks the SC to revisit her case.

"If Poe is allowed to run, should not, with more reason that Gina O. Reyes be allowed to run?" she said.

In a landmark ruling released on March 8, 9 SC justices voted in favor of reversing the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to cancel Poe's certificate of candidacy – allowing her to join the presidential race.

Meanwhile, Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, in his dissenting opinion, warned that the controversial ruling “would open the floodgates of election protests.”

Source and courtesy: Rappler

Pila ng mga pasahero patungong Balanacan Port Photo courtesy: Ann Margarita Aventino Muhi | Mar 27, 2016

Nagsimula ng dumagsa ang mga pasahero sa Balanacan Port simula pa kahapon, Marso 26 kaya naman inaasahang tatagal ng ilang oras ang biyahe mula sa regular nitong oras dahil sa haba ng pila at dami ng mga pasahero. Ayon sa ulat, umabot na ang pila ng mga sasakyan mula Brgy. Kapayang hanggang Balanacan.

Pinapaalalahanan naman ang mga may sasakyan na kailangan munang pumila sa Brgy. Ino upang mabigyan ng queuing number. Muling pipila bago pumasok sa kabayanan ng Brgy. Balanacan upang hintayin ang pahintulot na makapasok sa Balanacan Port hanggang sa tuluyang makasakay sa RoRo.

ABC News Specials

ABC News, an international news company with headquarter in New York, USA, featured the Holy Week Observances Around the World and Marinduque, Philippines is one of those.

Balmaseda, Spain

Palm Sunday signals the start of Holy Week in the Christian religion. Festivals around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Here, a cast member in the role of Jesus performs a scene from the "Via Crucis" during Holy Week in the Basque town of Balmaseda, in northern Spain, on March 25, 2016.

Wonderful and charming old houses of Marinduque

Habang abala ang karamihan sa pagkuha ng mga imahe ng iba't ibang angulo at mukha ng mga Moryon, ibinahagi naman ni Amir O. Abad, isang rehistradong nurse ang kanyang mga kuhang larawan sa mga nagagandahang lumang tahanan sa Marinduque.

Ayon sa kanya "Marinduque has the most old houses of all places I have visited in the Philippines. Some are beautifully restored and all are still occupied."

The wonderful and charming old houses of Marinduque

Nabisita o napasok mo na ba isa man sa mga lumang tahanang ito?

M/V Virgin Penafrancia habang nakadaong sa Balanacan Port, Mogpog Marinduque Photo courtesy: Starhorse Shipping Lines

Narito ang mga oras ng pag-alis at pagdating ng mga barko ng Starhorse Shipping Lines mula Marinduque patungong Lucena at vice versa ngayong Holy Week 2016.


Ayon sa Starhorse Shipping Lines Facebook Account, walang biyahe sa araw ng Biyernes, Marso 25 simula ika-3 ng hapon hanggang gabi. Ang resume o balik ng biyahe ay sa umaga na ng Sabado, Marso 26.

Ang Regular Rate ay 260, Student Fare-221, Senior Citizen Fare-186 at ang Half Fare (para sa mga bata) ay 130.

Muli namang nagpaalala ang SHSL sa mga pasahero, ayon pa sa kanila:

• May sistema na ipinatutupad ang PPA para sa kaayusan ng mga biyahero ngayong Holy Week. Ugaliing sumunod sa nakatakdang pila ng pagkuha ng ticket para sa kaayusan ng lahat.
• First Come, First Serve basis lamang ang Starhorse Shipping Lines at hindi tumatanggap ng reservation.
• Ang schedule ay estimated departure ng bawat barko, ito ay maaring umalis ng mas maaga sa kanyang nakatakdang schedule alinsunod sa MARINA na nagpapatupad ng "schedule relaxation" para mas mapabilis ang pagtawid ng mga pasahero. Ibig sabihin, kapag puno na ang barko, maaari na itong umalis agad kahit hindi pa takdang oras ng biyahe.
• Under renovation ang Passenger Terminal Booth ng Lucena Port, kaya ipinakikiusap na sumunod sa mga patakaran sa loob ng PTB upang maayos na makasakay ang lahat.
• Cancelled ang lahat ng promo fare ng Starhorse Shipping Lines.
• Para sa mga studyante at senior citizen, maaaring lamang magclaim ng discount kapag may maipapakitang valid ID. Strictly one ticket per ID ang pagbibigay ng discount.

Jhun Mazon helps her daughter Jhonnilyn dress up in Centurion garb. REUTERS

Resident of Mogpog town in Marinduque prepare for the annual Moriones Festival, an annual recreation of the the life of Saint Longinus.

Longinus was the half-blind centurion tasked with driving a spear into the side of Jesus. When Jesus’ blood touched him, Longinus’ vision returned. He then converted to Christianity and turned his back on his fellow centurions.

Ella Mazon carries her Morion (mask) as she walks in an alley outside her house. REUTERS

The weeklong festival started on Palm Sunday and culminates on Easter Sunday.

Members of the Mazon family get their masks on the second day of Holy Week celebrations in Mogpog, Marinduque. REUTERS

During this week, participants brave the heat in full centurion garb, looking for the fugitive Longinus.

The word ‘morion’ means ‘mask.’

Source and courtesy: GMA News Online

Moriones in Marinduque

Marinduque is one of the best places to experience lent in the Philippines as posted in the Travel Blog with Toni. Among the other locations are Pampanga, Quiapo and Guimaras. Here are the list and description:

1. Marinduque

Marinduque is a small heart-shaped island in the Southern Tagalog, which, coincidentally, is also in the center of the Philippines. Dubbed the “Lent Capital of the Philippines“, Marinduque welcomes thousands of tourists here during the Lenten holidays to experience religion and culture at the same time.

On the first week of Lent, which usually starts on Holy Monday, Morions or the masked Roman soldiers can already be seen roaming around the streets of Marinduque, or Boac, its town capital.
Tourists are also welcomed by the Morions at the Balanacan Port in Marinduque to give an instant feel of the province’s Moriones Festival.

The Senakulo, a Lenten play that depicts the life, suffering, and death of Christ, starts staging on the evening of Holy Wednesday. The Via Crucis or the Way of the Cross starts on the early morning of Good Friday. You have the option to go along with Christ, the other penitents, and Morions or simply watch–though it is highly suggested that you go with the Way of the Cross so you can also internalize Christ’s suffering and just consider it as another form of penitence. The Via Crucis usually starts between 7:00AM and 8:00AM and ends with a “crucifixion” before lunch.

The Senakulo ends on the midnight of Easter Sunday and with the most anticipated presentation of all, since the resurrection of Christ will be staged. Early morning of Sunday, most people run to the beach as a sign of celebration for the risen Christ.

When in Marinduque during Holy Week, be sure to take some snapshots of its famed Moriones Festival. Take a pose with some Morions or, specifically, look for the Morion Longinus. He’s easy to spot–he’s blind on one eye and is the most famous Morion off all. Read the Bible or, better yet, listen and watch the Senakulo carefully to know why.

2. San Pedro, Cutud, Pampanga


The Cutud Lenten Rites is famous for the re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion, with the actual nailing of people on a wooden cross. Tourists and foreign media flock to Cutud just to witness the 55-year-old street play, thus, turning what is supposed to be a solemn religious celebration a highly commercialized one. Just a word of caution though: this is not for the faint-hearted. If the mere sight of blood makes you queasy and nauseous, then better not go here.

However, if you are into photojournalism, then going to Cutud is an experience not to miss. The event has a VIP area for media and photographers so taking photos won’t be a problem. Just be sure that you can endure the heat of the sun.

Aside from the crucifixion, flagellants, also known locally as “magdarame”, walk barefoot around the town and whip their backs with a bundle of bamboo sticks at the end of a rope and use razor blades to cut their swollen backs so blood can come out.

3. Quiapo


Since most people head to their respective provinces during Holy Week, traveling around Metro Manila during Good Friday is always a breeze. In fact, Visita Iglesia in Manila has always been a tradition among Catholics who choose to spend Lent in Manila, and the Quiapo Church is probably one of the favorite churches among pilgrims.

During Good Friday, Black Nazarene devotees flock to Quiapo Church for the Black Nazarene procession, which usually starts as early as 5:30 AM. Various Black Nazarene replicas are also paraded along the streets of Quiapo while devotees go barefoot in imitation of Jesus on his way to Mount Calvary.

There have been various accounts of people who have touched the Black Nazarene are reported to have been cured of their diseases. Thus, like the actual Black Nazarene feast on January 9, towels and handkerchiefs are also hurleto the marshals and escorts guarding the Black Nazarene, requesting their cloths to be wiped to the statue in hope for a miracle.

Nearby churches that can also be included in your Visita Iglesia itinerary are the Malate Church, Binondo Church, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, Santa Cruz Church, and San Sebastian Church.

On the other hand, the usual rowdy and busy Escolta and Delpan suddenly transform into peaceful streets during Good Friday–a perfect time for photojournalists to capture this very rare quiet moment in Manila through their lens

4. Balaan Bukid Shrine, Guimaras


If you love outdoor activities, then trekking to Balaan Bukid Summit in Jordan, Guimaras is the best activity for you this coming Holy Week. Balaan Bukid, which means “Sacred Mountain” in the Hiligaynon dialect of Panay, is a pilgrimage site of Catholic devotees that sits on top of the mountain.

At the summit of Balaan Bukid is the Ave Maria Purisima Shrine where a chapel is marked by a huge, white cross. It is hard not to miss this large cross when you’re coming from Iloilo to Guimaras. Climbing Balaan Bukid is free of charge but be sure to bring lots of water to keep you hydrated, and put on some sunblock before climbing as the trek will take 45 minutes. On your way up, be sure to take note of the 14 Stations of the Cross.

Also, a local version of the Passion of Christ, called “Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras”, is performed during the Lenten Season. In 2009, a new kind of Christ’s Passion and Death on the Cross was experienced by the Guimarasnons and tourists as the stage play inspired by the Seven Last Words was transformed into a street play dubbed “Ang Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid.” “Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras”, which is already on its 35th year, was once called as the “Golgotha of the Philippines.”

Source and courtesy: Toni Alvarez, Travel with Toni

PAL Chartered Plane in Maridnuque Airport | Photo courtesy: DFTT

The Philippine Airlines Chartered Plane finally arrived in Marinduque Airport today, March 23, 2016 at around 6:00 in the morning.

Atty. Minerva Morada and company | Photo courtesy: DFTT

Among the passengers were Atty. Minerva Morada, Regional Director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) MIMAROPA and company as well as our very own kababayan, Ambassador Ariel Rodelas Penaranda of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). They welcomed by the provincial government headed by Gov. Carmencita Reyes.

Ambassador Ariel Penaranda of Brgy. Banahaw, Sta. Cruz poses with the Morion Photo courtesy: Lolong Rejano

Staff and crew of PAL Chartered Plane experiences the traditional "Putong" Photo courtesy: Kyle Michael Vincent Matias

Philippine Airlines will only be flying to Marinduque this Holy Week. Flight schedules are:

• March 23, 2016 | Marinduque-Manila | ETD - 6:50 A.M | ETA - 7:50 A.M
• March 27, 2016 | Manila-Marinduque | ETD - 9:30 A.M | ETA - 10:30 A.M

For reservation and inquiries, please contact Susan Nace at 0918.933.1605.

Morion welcomes PAL | Photo courtesy: Rens Tuzon

Article by: Romeo Mataac, Jr.

Sunog sa Barangay Mercado, Boac | Photo courtesy: Raoul J. Magcamit‎

Kasalukuyang may nagaganap na sunog sa Brgy. Mercado, Boac, Marinduque. Mabilis na rumisponde ang mga taga-pamatay sunog mula Boac at Mogpog Fire Stations.

Photo courtesy: Raoul J. Magcamit‎

Photo courtesy: Raoul J. Magcamit‎

Inaaalam pa ang sanhi ng naturang sunog.

Christian R. Lacsamana, 2016 Mr. Gay PH

Teacher to Represent PH in 2016 Mr. Gay World Contest

A high school teacher from San Fernando, Pampanga will represent the Philippines at the 2016 Mr. Gay World contest to be held in Malta on April 19 to 23.

Christian R. Lacsamana, 30, holds a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education major in Music Arts and Physical Education and Heath from Don Honorio Ventura Technological University in Bacolor, Pampanga. He teaches Alternative Learning System.

Lacsamana has been training under Kagandahang Flores for his pageant skills since January. He is also busy preparing his wardrobe that includes a spectacular national costume inspired by the Moriones Festival and the iconic jeepney.

Lacsamana is also an advocate of HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, counselling and education and an active member of the Love Yourself Project of Loveyourself, Inc. which promotes the prevention and the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth and affected population. He was personally handpicked by Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization President Wilbert Tolentino for the contest.

It would be recalled that Tolentino was the first Philippine candidate to the Mr. Gay World contest held in Canada in 2009. That year, he won Best In National Costume, Mr. Popularity, and Best In Formal Wear.

At the press send-off held at One 690 Bar in Quezon City recently, Lacsamana said that he dedicates his stint to the pageant to his mother who died of breast cancer.

“I am with my mother in this contest. Aside from that, I have the people who would extend their arms and hearts just to give me that support I need,” Lacsamana also said.

Lacsamana will represent PH in 2016 Mr. Gay World

The Pampangueno recalled that his mother was very supportive of him when he joined the gay-themed contest “I Am Po-Gay” in the popular noontime show “It’s Showtime” aired over ABS-CBN in 2014. He ended up first runner-up in the finals.

When asked about his edge among the other candidates in the international contest, Lacsamana said: “Pagiging matalino at pagiging articulate sa pagsasalita ng English. Saka matatalino po ang mga Pinoy, naniniwala po ako du’n.”

He also enumerated his five male celebrity crushes in local cinema. “I like Piolo Pascual because I like men who are tan and he has a very strong personality. I also like Alden Richards because of his dimples. Gusto ko rin si Jerico Rosales because of his positive attitude kahit na nagtitinda pa lamang sya nuon ng isda. I like James Reid because batang-bata and Richard Gutierrez because ‘lalaking-lalaki,” Laxamana added.

Given the chance to become a female someday, he wanted to be like Maine Mendoza, the other half of the phenomenal love team of AlDub.

But Lacsamana said that he would not vote for Rep. Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani in the 2016 national elections after the boxing champ compared members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community to wild animals.

Source and courtesy: Tempo

GSIS | File photo

PASAY CITY - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) allotted more than P178 million in emergency loan for 5,624 active members and old-age pensioners who were affected by typhoon Nona in Marinduque.

Active members are qualified to apply for emergency loan if they are working or residing in the province, not on leave of absence without pay, are updated in premium contributions, and have no unpaid loan amortizations in the last six months.  Old-age pensioners residing in the province are also qualified to avail of the program.

The deadline for submission of application is March 29.

For members, first-time borrowers may apply for a P20,000 loan. Those who have an outstanding balance in their existing emergency loan may borrow up to P40,000.

Pensioners, on the other hand, may apply for a P20,000 pension emergency loan.  Pensioners who are also active members (retired government workers who have been reemployed) may apply for the loan only once.

The loan is payable in 36 equal monthly installments with an interest rate of 6 percent per annum computed in advance.  It is covered by a redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of demise of the borrower, provided the loan repayment is up to date.

Active members may apply through any GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosk located in all GSIS branch and extension offices, provincial capitols, city halls, selected municipal offices, large government agencies such as the Department of Education, 27 Robinsons Malls, and SM City branches in North Edsa, Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, and SM Aura in Taguig.

Old-age pensioners may apply for the loan over the counter in any GSIS branch.

For inquiries, members and pensioners may call the GSIS Contact Center at 847-4747; email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph or visit the GSIS website at www.gsis.gov.ph. (GSIS)

Source and courtesy: Philippine Information Agency

Background photo from ADB

MANILA, Philippines – The Court of Appeals (CA) defended its use of online sources, particularly Wikipedia, in relation to its ruling on one of the worst mining disasters in the Philippines.

The CA cited information available on the Internet in its June 2015 decision which rejected Marcopper Mining Corporation's claim that the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 of Boac, Marinduque committed grave abuse of discretion by not dismissing the complaint filed by the Calancan Bay Fisherfolk Federation.

The fisherfolk group said that the mine tailings that leaked into Calancan Bay in 1996 "adversely affected their livelihood and led to sickness – or worst, death – in nearby communities."