Nagsagawa ng Gender and Development Planning and Budgeting Workshop ang Philippine Commission on Women sa Old Session Hall, Provincial Capitol nitong Lunes, Marso 20 na dinaluhan ng mga empleyado mula sa iba't ibang ahensya ng lokal na pamahalaan ng probinsya tulad ng Planning and Development Office, Social Welfare and Development Office, Human and Resource Management Office, Budget, Office, Accounting Office, Treasurer's Office, Health Office, Agriculturists' Office, Department of Education at Department of Tourism.

Layunin nito na matalakay kung ano ang mga isyu na kinakaharap ng bawat empleyado at mga kliyente ng bawat ahensya. Bukod dito ay inilatag nila ang budget na kailangang mapunan upang maisagawa ang mga campaign at training na nais isagawa ng bawat ahensya na may kinalaman sa gender and development.


Photos courtesy of Joven Malabana Lilles

Ang Bureau of Fire Protection-Boac personnel sa pangunguna nina FO1 Ian Chris Narvaez, FO1 Frederick Jalotjot kasama ang mga fire volunteer na sina Ryan Alvin N. Mogol, Deo De Guzman at Gerald Mendoza ay nagsagawa ng Fire Safety Seminar and Drill sa Barangay Hinapulan Day Care Center nitong Marso 24 hangang 25. Maliban sa drill ay nagsagawa rin sila ng isang pagsasadula ang mga firemen na ginanapan ng kanilang mascot na si Berong Bombero upang mas lubusang maunawaan ng mga mag-aaral ang ganitong uri ng diskusyon.


Photos courtesy of Boac Fire Station

Sa pangunguna ni SPO4 Rodel Lupig kasama ang kapulisan ng bayan ng Gasan ay nagsagawa sila ng pagbisita at diyalogo nitong Lunes, Marso 25 sa barangay Libtangin, Gasan sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa punong barangay na si Merlyn A. Semilla. Pinag-usapan nila sa kanilang barangay ang masamang dulot ng droga, mga klase ng droga na ipinagbabawal at ang mga parusa laban sa paggamit nito na nasasaklaw ng Republic Act 9165 o mas kilala sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

Pagkatapos nito ay namigay rin sila ng flyers.


Photos courtesy of Gasan Municipal Police Station

This representation and administration ensure the utilization of appropriate strategies in administering this local government unit such as the use of cyber highways to optimize efficiency, transparency and dynamism in our governance.

Through this cyber information site, Torrijoseños and visitors alike can be updated with the latest trends, development, needs, government initiatives, programs and projects. Moreover this is an access to informative news of our mother town and a glimpse of our tourist attractions and potentials. Just make a click.

This website is your portal to Torrijos, Marinduque, Philippines and an effort towards the competency in the field of Public Assistance, Information and Communication Technology.

Hamos na kayo sa Torrijos!

Bagama't nabubuhay na tayo sa moderong panahon at teknolohiya, hindi pa rin naaalis at tuluyang nawawala ang kultura ng bayanihan sa bayan ng Mogpog lalawigan ng Marinduque. Ang bayanihan ay sumisimbolo sa isang nagkakaisang pamayanan at nagmamahalang mamamayan.


Photo taken 2017

Please join us in greeting a happy birthday to our Insight Contributor, Allan C. Macapugay.

Allan is an insight contributor of Marinduque News Network. He is a civil engineering graduate and currently working in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He likes to read political and national views. Apart from his passion in writing, Allan is a former choir member of Marinduque Provincial Capitol Choir and Mary Help of Christians Parish in Balimbing, Boac, Marinduque.

Happy birthday Kabayang Allan! We honor you for your dedication and untiring support to MNO especially during the typhoon Nina. Nakita namin kung paano ka nagpuyat para bantayan ang mga kaganapan sa ating probinsya at para sumagot sa mga katanungan ng ating mga kababayan.
Mabuhay ka and God bless you always.

Greetings from your Marinduque News Online (MNO) Family. Cheers!

Pumanaw na nitong Lunes, Marso 27 sa edad na animnapu’t siyam si dating Marinduque governor Antonio “Bong” Carrion matapos makipaglaban sa sakit na lung cancer.

Nahalalal si Carrion bilang gobernador ng lalawigan noong 1995 at naglingkod hanggang 1998. Muling kumandidato sa pagkagobernador noong 1998, 2001 at 2004 subalit hindi pinalad na manalo. Pagkatapos ng siyam na taon, muling nahalal si Bong Carrion bilang gobernador noong 2007 ‘Legislative and Local Elections’ at nagsilbi hanggang 2010.

Nakaburol ang mga labi ng dating gobernador sa Sanctuario de San Antonio, Capilla de la Virgen, McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City simula Marso 27 hanggang Sabado, Abril 1.

(c) 2017

SPO1 Lito R. Perlas, Pulis sa Barangay conducted lecture during barangay assembly at barangay Yook, Buenavista, Marinduque on March 26, 2017 at about 1:00 PM. Topics regarding ISO, Campaign Against Illegal Drugs,Illegal Logging/Cutting of Trees, Illegal Fishing, Implementation of Curfew, Crime Prevention Tips, Crime Statistics and Special Laws were discussed.

Photo courtesy of Buenavista PNP

Good afternoon Mr. Presiding Officers, my distinguish collegues, guest, ladies and gentlemen.

The word for today as it was a word last Wednesday is “moral ascendency”, sa latin ito po ay “moralis provatit” at sa Tagalog naman ay “moral na pag-akyat” and some call it high moral grounds, others say strong moral authority, and there are those who know it as moral ascendancy. Ang sabi ng Webster Dictionary – it is conforming to a standard of right behavior.

Last Wednesday a Board Member in this August body stood in the plenary to accuse this representation of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution and with no moral ascendancy to retain the chairmanship of the SP Committee on Environment. At, sa anong dahilan daw po? Ang sabi po ni Board Member, Bokal John Pelaez ay sapagkat this representation, ako daw na si Bokal Allan Nepomuceno at si Asst. Fiscal Dioscoro Timtiman, Jr. guested at a Boac radio Program at nagbitaw daw ako ng mga pananalita na taliwas sa mga paninindigan ng mga taong bayan at biased na pumapabor sa mga abugadong Amerikano ng Diamond Mc Carthy Law Office.

Mr. Presiding Officer, I have been serving this institution since July 1, 2004. Longer than anybody else in the 14th Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Since then I have been working with the SP Committee that deals with the province’s case against Marcopper, Placer Dome and Barrick. I could claim that I am more knowledgeable than any of the BM in the present SP when it comes to the said case. Sa loob po ng nakaraang lingo, ang mainit na nagging issue ay ang usaping paghingi ng ating Governor ng authority para pumirma ng isang kasunduan na maituloy ang kaso laban sa Barrick sa Canada.

Naniniwala po ako na ito ang tamang hakbang para mapadali natin at makamtan ang mga kabayaran sa perwisyo na ginawa ng irresponsableng pamamaraan ng pagmimina na ginawa ng Marcopper sa ating lalawigan. Sa abot po ng aking makakaya at spirit of transparency ay ipapaliwanag ko lang po sa radio ang lahat ng information na hinihingi n gating mamamayan, walang labis, walang kulang. Wala tayong nilabag na anumang batas, wala tayong sinisiraan na sinuman ang lahat ay ang pagsagot lamang sa mga issue at mga katanungan ni Mr. Ric Pielago. Malinis po ang aking konsensya at handa po akong humarap kanino man para ipagtanggol ang aking mga sinabi at panindigan tungkol sa issue ng MOA.

Nang matapos magbotohan noong nakaraang sesyon noong Miyerkules at natalo ang aking isinusulong na panukala na bigyan ng authority ang Governor na pirmahan ang MOA. Tumayo po tayo at magalang na nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng sumusuporta at sa lahat na mga bumoto, maging favor man o salungat sa aking panukala. At, sa punto na iyon I was expecting a gesture of magnanimity on the part the most vocal oppositor to my resolution, na si BM Pelaez, ang akala kop o ay happy na siya at kuntento sa resulta and we could move on sa susunod na plano sa kaso. But to my surprise, Ladies and gentleman, tumayo siya at binatikos at inakusahan akop sa aking pag radio noong nakaraang Biyernes at idineklara ni Bokal Pelaez na bakante ang Chairmanship ng aking komitiba at ito naman ay kaagad na napagbotohan.

Mr. Presiding Officer, pumabor po sina Bokal Daquioag, Bokal Aguirre, Bokal Pamintuan, Bokal Pelaez at Bokal Salvacion. Mr. Presiding Officer, I intentionally inhibited in the votatio out of delicadeza and a follower of the preserved tradition that a gentleman/officer don’t vote for himself in an open votation, instead you vote for the othe contender expecting that he will reciprocate and vote for you as a gesture of sportsmanship as an Honorable Gentleman should. Sorry hindi pala tinuro kay BM Pelaez 'yon.

Mr. Presiding Officer, I will be a hypocrite not to admit that I got hurt and insulted because the accusation was directed at my person and my integrity was purely personal and ill motivated. What is more hurting is I’ve never expected some Bokals in this chamber to go along with the drama and script to oust me. All of you have participated in giving me the most insulting and most humiliating time of my life. And, all of you who laughed and enjoyed my defeat and expulsion, I have never expected that. Mayroon palang nasasarapan at ginaganahan kapag pinapalakpakan, obviously BM Pelaez was playing for the delight of audience. He was grandstanding at my expense. After that incident, I bowed my head in silence and accepted the fate and defeat of a humiliated warrior.

Now, let me go back to the subject of moral ascendency which was used by BM Pelaez to unseat me from my Chairmanship. Ang masasabi kop o, MR. Pelaez, the dice has been cast. Mr. Pelaez, you have awakened a sleeping giant. May kasabihan ang mga matatanda, if you live in a house of glass huwag kang mambabato. We as public officials lives and acts in the dictates of a high standard of morality. Mr. Pelaez you ask for it, hinihingi mo po na ang moral ascendency ay batayan ng servicio public, at tama naman po sapagkat nariyan ang RA 6713, which is the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees which provides that an LGU officials must promote ethical with the highest moral value, lahat po tayo ay covered ng pamantayan na ito.

Mr. Pelaez, kayo po ay isang Licensed Engineer, at kayo din po ay isang Bokal, at isang teacher din po kayo sa Marinduque State College, hindi po ba pumasok sa isip ninyo na kayo ay dapat maging isang huwaran at inspirasyon ng mga mamayan at ng mga kabataan na tinuturuan nyo sa paaralan? Bakit po taliwas yata sa good standards at high values of moralit ang inyong ginagawa at pamumuhay dito sa ating lalawigan? Mr. Pelaez sang-ayon pos a inyong records ditto sa Provincial Human Resource Office, sa Kapitolyo, ay pinakasalan nyo si Teresita Angelina T. Pelaez na taga-Nueva Ecija at meron kayong mga anak, paano po yaong moral ascendency na sinasabi ninyo ay batid ng lahat at ng publiko na nakikiapid po kayo sa isang babae na may asawa at anak? Hindi po ba immoralidad ang ginagawa ninyo? Can you be a role model to the youth, to your students? Papaano kung may malaman din nila na may pending case ka, Bokal Pelaez, sa Pisklaya, na ikaw ay may kasong alleged illegal detention, pagnanakaw ng cellphone, pambubugbog at panunutok ng baril? Hindi po kaya Bokal Pelaez makakabuti na magbitiw na lang kayo sa pagtuturo sa MSC sapagkat nakakasira kayo sa institution na pinagtuturuan ninyo at kayo ay masamang ehemplo sa mga estudyante? Aantayin pa po ba ninyo ang mga isasampang kaso laban sa inyo sa Marinduque State College at Professional Regulation Commission?

Mr. Presiding Officer, being the Chairman of the Committee on SP Blue Ribbon and Ethics, moto propio, without committee referral I am duty bound to act and do whatever is necessary under the circumstance. I am now in the twilight years of my life, I am 72 years old. And, this is the stage of life which is said to be the golden years of retirement. Sabin g iba, nasa departure area na, true and must be accepted as a reality of life. That is why people like me, Mr. Presiding Officer, don’t wish to hurt or antagonize others for it is our wish that before we leave an institution like the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or this planet we should be in good vibes, with good memories to remember and maintain the good friendship with our fellowmen.

In my 30 years in the airline and almost 12 here in the SP, my outlook and dealings with others has always been positive, courteous, respectful and happy. From the simple JO to the Governor, I deal with all of them with full respect and sincerity, fairly And squarely. Unfortunately, Bokal Pelaez you made this happen. Tulad ng sinabi mo sa akin noong Miyerkules, “Sorry po, Tito Allan Trabaho lang." Sorry John Pelaez, Trabaho lang din!"

Salamat po.

Kanina, Marso 21 ay pormal ng binuksan ang 'D Marinduque Expo 2017.

Ang nasabing expo ay matatagpuan sa Bagsakan Center, Boac, Marinduque kung saan ay may mga booth na pwedeng bilhan ng pagkain, damit at marami pang iba.


May lugar din para makapaglaro ang mga bata. Maaaring rumenta ng mga toy cars at motorcycle na nagkakahalaga lamang ng P50, P30 at P20 per five minutes depende sa unit.

Ang lahat ay inaanyayahan na bumisita sa expo.

Nagsagawa ng orientation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Development ang Marinduque Provincial Police Office nitong Huwebes, Marso 16.


Photos courtesy from Marinduque Provincial Police Office

Vision and Mision

Pinapangarap namin ang isang bayan, na kanyang kalikasan ay napanumbalik sa kanyang dating kaayusan at kagandahan at sama-samang pinagyayaman ng mga mapagkalingang mamamayan tungo sa isang likas-kayang pag-unlad at kapakinabangan sa sali't-saling lahi;

Pinapangarap namin ang isang bayan na ang angking talino at kakayahan ng kanyang yamang tao, na hinubog ng maipagmamalaking kultura, kasaysayan at kalinangan ay kolektibong naiaambag sa paglikha ng isang makatarungan, matiwasay, mapayapa at masaganang lipunan;

Pinapangarap namin ang isang bayan na pinamamahalaan ng mga matatapat at mapagkakatiwalaang pinuno at mga lingkod bayan na kumikilala sa aktibong pakikisangkot ng mga mamamayan sa bawat antas ng pamamahala tungo sa pagbibigay-kapangyarihan sa lahat ng sector ng lipunan;

Taglay ang pagpapahalaga sa mga batas, pagkilala sa halaga ng pagkakaisa at sariling pagsisikap, pagiging bukas sa pagbabago, pagpapasailalim sa Dakilang Lumikha, itinatalaga naming ang aming mga sarili bilang mga Boakenyo upang makamit ang mga pangarap na ito.

• Geography
• Land Characteristics
• Demography
• Brief History
• Logo
• Education

Last updated on March 20, 2017

List of agency and office services in the municipality of Boac, Marinduque.

Mayor's Office

• Issuance of Shipping Permit
• Issuance of Mayor's Permit for Permit/licenses, Plates and Stickers
• Issuance of Municipal Data and Information
• Issuance of Mayor's Permit for Clearance/affidavit/certification
• Issuance of Mayor's Permit for Temporary Closure of Roads/street
• Issuance of Mayor's Permit for Recommendation Endorsement
• Issuance of Mayor's Permit on Selling and Promotional Activities, Motorcade/parade and Usage of LGU-facilities (Covered Court)
• Solemnization of Marriage

Vice Mayor's Office

• Issuance of Accreditation for Cooperatives, NGOs, and Associations

Sangguniang Bayan

• Issuance of Franchise for Tricycle and Motorized Banca
• Issuance of copy of Ordinances, Resolutions and/or Minutes

Municipal Treasurer's Office

• Collection of Real Property Tax
• Computation and Collection of Business Tax
• Collection of Fees on Municipal Lot Cemetery
• Collection of Franchise and Other Fees on Tricycle Operations
• Collection of Community Tax Certificate
• Issuance of Real Property Tax Clearance
• Branding of Large Cattle
• Calibration of Weighing Scales

Municipal Accountant's Office

• Processing of Disbursement Voucher
• Preparation of Certification (for Salary Deduction)
• Processing of Barangay Financial Transactions
• Processing of Payroll
• Inventory of Municipal Properties
• Bookkeeping of LGU Accounts and Transactions
• Accounting of Collections/Receipts

Municipal Budget Office

• Budget Preparation
• Budget Review
• Budget Execution
• Budget Accountability

Municipal Planning and Development Office

• Various Plans Preparation/Consolidation
• Socio-Economic Profile (SEP) Development/Updating
• FBCAMS Development
• Special Activities

Supply Office

• Issuance of Supplies
• Property Accountability and Management
• Acceptance and Inspection

Public Order and Safety

• Implementation of Public Order and Safety Program

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

• Implementation of DRRM Plan
• Coordination during emergencies
• Implementation of remedial measures

Municipal Civil Registry

• Registration of Birth
• Registration of Marriage
• Registration of Death
• Requisites for Application of Marriage License
• Registration of Court Decree/Order
• Legal Instrument
• Change of First Name or Correction of Clerical Error (RA 9048)
• Requisites for Supplemental Report
• Illegitimate Children to Use the Surname of the Father (RA 9255)
• Boac List of Frontline Services (Download here the list of frontline services)

Municipal Health Center

• Pre-Natal, Natal and Post-Natal Care
• Expanded Program on Immunization
• Micro-Nutrients Supplementation
• Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (DOTS, STD)
• Filariasis Treatment
• Medical Consultation and Examination
• Medico-Legal Examination
• Post-Mortem Examination
• Pre-Marital/Family Planning Counselling
• Issuance of Sanitary Permits & Health Certificate
• Laboratory Examinations, X-Ray, ECG and Ultrasound Services
• Dental Services
• Nutrition Services

Social Welfare and Development

• Aid to Individual/Families
• Issuance of Identification Card for the Senior Citizens, Solo Parents & Persons with Disability
• Issuance of Purchase Slips and Booklets to Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability
• Pre-Marriage Counseling Sessions
• Social Case Study Report and Referrals
• Issuance of Certificates and Permits (Indigency, Guardianship, Out of School Youth, Solicitation Permit, Pre-Marriage Certificate)

Public Employment Services Office (PESO)

• Student Program for Employment Services (SPES)
• Public Employment Service Program

Municipal Assessor's Office

• Preparation of Real Property Tax Declaration for Land
• Issuance of Certification on Real Property
• Issuance of True Copy of Tax Declaration
• Issuance of Improvement or No Improvement on Real Properties
• Ocular Inspection of Real Properties (Subject for Revision/Correction of Tie-Up or Subdivision)
• New Declaration (Building or Machinery)

Municipal Agriculture Office

• Technical assistance to farmers and fisher folks
• Provision of planting materials like seeds & seedlings
• Establishment of techno-demo farms and learning sites
• Conduct farmer's classes, trainings and seminars
• Issuance of Certification to Cut Old and Damaged Fruit Trees
• Animal Health Care Program (deworming, vaccination, castration and artificial insemination)
• Animal Dispersal
• Ante-Mortem Inspection
• Sea-Bourne Patrolling and Illegal Fishing Apprehension
• Registration of Motorized and Non-Motorized Banca
• Institutional Development through Organizing and Strengthening of Rural-based Organizations and Councils

Business Permit and Licensing Office

• Application for Business Permit
• Schedule of Fees

Municipal Engineering Office

• Maintenance of Roads and Drainage Systems
• Maintenance of Government Buildings
• Flood Control
• Road Development Program
• Issuance of Building Permit
• Issuance of Certification of Annual Inspection for Business Permit
• Issuance of Electrical Permit and Certificate of Final Electrical Inspection
• Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy

Operation of Waterworks

• Processing/Installation of New Water Connection
• Processing of Water Service Disconnection
• Meter Reading and Issuance of Bill of Water Consumption

Operation of Market

• Processing and Issuance of Market Contract of Lease

Slaughterhouse

• Issuance of Slaughter Permit
• Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Inspection

Last update on March 19, 2017

The name Boac was derived from the Tagalog word “biak” which means divided. The river which ran from the eastern hinterland to the western plains down to the sea, had divided the town into two  areas, the Northern Area and the Southern Area. The people used to say “Ang Bayang Biak”. In the course of time, by means of  verbal intercourse and communication and other exchange of letter and notes between the people of Marinduque and Mindanao, the Tagalog word "biak" becomes Boac, the name which has persisted up to the present.

Boac is the provincial capital of Marinduque and has a population of 60,777 people according to the 2010 census. It has politically subdivided into 61 administrative divisions called barangays. Approximately 137 nautical miles by the shortest routes from Manila and 45 minutes flight from Manila Domestic Airport to Masiga Airport in Gasan which is seven kilometers from Boac.

Location

Approximately 137 nautical miles by the shortest routes from Manila and 45 minutes’ flight from Manila Domestic Airport to Masiga Airport in Gasan which is seven kilometers from Boac.

Boundary

Boac is located at the Western section of the province with the following boundaries:

• North - Municipality of Mogpog
• East - Municipality of Torrijos
• South - Municipality of Gasan
• West - Tablas Strait

Topography

Except for a few scattered alluvial and coastal plain, Boac has rugged terrain with long winding river which ends in the west. Its mountainous area is generally located Southeast of Poblacion. Its coastal plain landscape and alluvial area characterized by a westward trend of flatlands to a stretch of 2130 hectares or 10% of the total area.

Personal na binisita ni Gov. Carmencita Reyes ang tatlong centenarian na kinilala ng lalawigan. Nagbigay rin ng 'cash incentive' ang gobernadora sa mga ito.

Si Gov. Reyes, habang kinukumusta si Mrs. Rufina Rondina na 100 years old, mula sa bayan ng Torrijos

Mrs. Felicidad Pedrialva, 101 years old mula sa Bagong Silang, Santa Cruz, Marinduque

Binigyan ng cash incentive ang centenarian na si Mrs. Simplicia Recana, 102 years old sa tulong ng PSWD at ni Gov. Carmencita Reyes

Matatandaan na ilang araw bago bumababa sa pwesto noong 2016, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino ang batas na kikilala sa mga Pilipinong aabot sa isandaang taong gulang. Bukod sa pagkilala, magreregalo rin ang gobyerno ng P100,000 na cash incentive sa mga centenarian. May karagdagan ding 'cash gift' na ibibigay ang pinagmulang siyudad o bayan ng benepisyaryo. Itinakda rin ng batas ang unang linggo ng Oktubre bilang ‘National Respect for Centenarians Day’.

Photos courtesy of Marinduque Provincial Government

Moriones Festival in Marinduque

The Moriones attract devotees and drifters alike to Marinduque every Holy Week. We take a look at one of the liveliest festival of the solemn holiday.

Marinduque claims to be the country’s “Lenten capital,” and the Moriones Festival is its unique and celebrated take on Christ’s suffering and death.

Moriones comes from the Spanish word “morrion,” which means “helmet” or “visor.” In this centuries-old tradition, local men (and a few women) put on the colorful garb-the highlight of the gala costumes are finely carved masks depicting the fierce Roman soldiers of Christ’s time.

The morions then populate the towns ‘streets-engaging in mock swordfights, playing pranks on children, marching or dancing in groups, or performing antics while safely hidden behind their masks.

The masked and costumed penitents march around Marinduque’s six towns for seven days searching for Longinus. The celebration starts on Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday, when the story of Longinus is reenacted in a play.

Biblical accounts identify Longinus as the Roman centurion who pierced the side of the crucified Jesus. Blind in one eye, he regained his sight after blood and water from the side of Jesus cleansed him.

Converted after the miracle, he went about town proclaiming Christ’s resurrection. This enraged the Roman leader Pilate and the Pharisees, who ordered Longinus arrested and beheaded.

Origins
The Moriones tradition was reportedly begun in 1807 by Father Dionisio Santiago, a parish priest of Mogpog town. Father Santiago wanted to inculcate a sense of understanding of the life of Christ by reenacting the last few days of his earthly life, which culminated in his crucifixion.

Mogpog was then a barrio of the capital Boac. Boac emulated the ritual, and so did Gasan, another barrio that eventually became a municipality. Today, the Lenten ritual is also observed in the town of Santa Cruz, Torrijos, and Buenavista.

Banned 
According to historical accounts, the Moriones tradition was suppressed by the Japanese during their brutal occupation. They feared that guerrillas would be able to move freely around the province as masked actors in this festival. Thus, the municipal government started the process of registering participants for a small fee.

Hidden no more 
In the 1960s, then education secretary Alejandro Roces, invited as guest speaker of a high school graduation in Gasan, witnessed this beautiful, strange by what he saw, Roces, who had been going around the country recording its varied cultures and traditions, returned for the next three years, bringing with him writers, painters, artist, and journalist to record and promote this remote island’s cultural treasure, enjoyed only by the locals.

This eventually led to its evolution into a lively festival that brightens up Lenten sobriety.

But under the gaiety, the people behind the mask are actually fulfilling vows of penance, giving thanks, or performing acts of self-cleansing.

Morions endure as a form of sacrifice. They experience hunger and thirst, long marches, and the burden of heavy headgear and hot costumes, all under a sweltering sun. After long and humid days, the costumed penitents join the early evening processions on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday.

The Moriones tradition was said to have inspired the creation of other Philippine festivals that turn cultural practices or folk history into street festivals.

Words by Gerald Gene R. Querubin | Published by Romelyn A. Mataac

Palad Sand Bar in Maniwaya Island, Santa Cruz, Marinduque

You will definitely enjoy your stay in Maniwaya island as there are plenty of activities that you could do.

Check out Palad Sand Bar - Not only is Maniwaya Island a great place to get a respite out of the bustle but it also offers some spectacular sites such as the long stretch of sugary white sands in Palad Sand Bar.

Ungab Rock Formation – Sail to the amazing rock formation and beach in Ungab Rock.

Snorkel – Illegal methods of fishing was rampant in this side of the country in the past but it’s still nice to see the surviving underwater ecology in the waters of Marinduque.

Try water activities – If you are the type who easily gets bored with just frolicking at the beach then don’t fret. Water activities such as banana boating, kayaking, jet skiing and paddle boarding are offered in some resorts within the island.

Do unlimited photo ops – The place is absolutely stunning! You can get as much dose of those Instagram worthy photos as you like.

Test the waters – You’re at the beach babe! What else to do then? You gotta swim!

Just frolic under the sun – Nothing beats relaxing by the beach, just watching the tides and the blue skies and simply letting time pass by.

Sunset watching – Maniwaya Island has one of the most spectacular sunsets in the country so spending quiet moments by the beach while watching the harmonious color of the breezy afternoon collide as the sun bids the day goodbye is always a perfect way to cap off one eventful day.

Words by Keza Marie Enriquez of Awanderful Sole | With additional details from Romeo Mataac, Jr.

Along the white sandy shores of Maniwaya Island are a range of resorts suitable for every budget and preference.

Marikit na Beach House – A beachfront resort with the right touch of cozy and luxury.
Contact No: +63927-878-9782

Playa Amara – A family owned resort with modern amenities and glamorous cottages resembling those of Bali Indonesia.
Contact Details: +63928-507-0362

Residencia De Palo Maria – One of the many resorts fronting the beach with a swimming pool and a lush garden that’s perfect for kicking off stress.
Contact Details: +63919-237-5633, +63922-867-0312 and +63917-954-0495

Wawie’s Beach – A homey resort with the usual tropical vibe. Cottages are made of native materials such as bamboo and nipa and has a spacious camping area under the coconut shaded grounds. Contact Details: +63921-369-5359

Villa Atilana

A unique resort with boat-themed accommodation.


Words by Keza Marie Enriquez of Awanderful Sole  | With additional details from Romeo Mataac, Jr.

Last updated on March 13, 2017

Words by Keza Marie Enriquez of Awanderful Sole | With additional details from Romeo Mataac, Jr.

The Philippines is an archipelago dotted by more than 7500 islands and islets and surrounded by one of the world’s most diverse ocean waters. Hence, discovering gorgeously beautiful and pristine islands in the country should not come as a surprise but the case is utterly otherwise. Everyday we come across precious delights that don’t ever fail to satisfy the eye and trigger our inner wanderlust. Everyday a handful of stunning islands and must see destinations in the country are discovered, adding to our already overflowing bucket list. There’s always a secret to unravel in every hidden corners and the possibility of stumbling into something wonderful is limitless. Maniwaya Island happens to be one of those undiscovered jewels concealed behind the shadows in the not so distant province of Marinduque.

Maniwaya Island is part of the town of Santa Cruz in Marinduque province and is less than an hour of boat ride away from the main island. It is surprisingly undeveloped with only a handful of resorts lined along its shores of rough coral stones and white sugary sands. Its water is teeming with life although negative effects of cyanide and dynamite fishing in the past are still very much evident in one too many dead corals scattered in its ocean floor. Its rustic vibe and tranquil state are its most redeeming qualities. Plus, it is totally off the path and uncrowded so you are guaranteed to have that patch of sand to frolic under the sun with for that much needed tan.


Words by Keza Marie Enriquez of Awanderful Sole | Video by Buboy Afurong

On going

Marinduque Provincial Capitol