Failon Ngayon takes a look at how the Marcopper mining disaster changed the lives of some Marinduque residents for the worse more than 20 years after the incident. The program also addresses the looming disaster brought about by irresponsible mining and sees how the LGU plans to hold the people behind the tragedy accountable.


This story was first published by Failon Ngayon. Video courtesy of ABS-CBN / Marinduquenews.com

BOAC, Marinduque - Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang ‘Paruparong Bakla’ ay totoo at hindi kathang-isip lamang. Ito ang tawag ng mga lokal na nagpaparami ng paruparo dito sa isla ng Marinduque.

Sa Ingles, ang tawag dito ay ‘Aberrant’. Ang aberrant o paruparong bakla ay iyong uri ng Bila-Bila – lokal na katawagan ng Marinduqueno sa paruparo, ay may kakaiba o bukod tanging kombinasyon ng kulay na ‘di pangkaraniwan sa isang grupo o species ng mga paruparo.

Poplar admiral, a butterfly in the subfamily Heliconiinae of the family Nymphalidae. Photo by Adam Gor

Dahilan sa kanilang namumukod tanging kombinasyon ng mga kulay, ito ay pinag-aagawan ng mga nangungolekta ng paruparo o butterfly collectors sa buong mundo sa napakataas na halaga.

Bagaman at bihira lamang na lumabas ang 'aberrant' o paruparong bakla, ito ay itinuturing ng mga ‘butterfly breeders’ na biyaya ng Maykapal dahil sa ginhawang dulot nito sa kanilang kabuhayan.

Kung kaya't mataas ang pagpapahalaga ng mga 'butterfly breeders' sa isla ng Marinduque na ingatan ang industriyang ito sa pamamagitan ng pangangalaga sa kanilang mga 'production areas'.

Leodegario Layron, owner of Marl Insects and Butterfly Garden in Cawit, Boac introduces different species of butterfly to the guests from Department of Tourism. Photo by Toby Jamilla

Patuloy ang kanilang pagtatanim ng mga halaman at punong pagkain, gapangan, itlugan at tirahan ng mga paruparo.

At lagi silang umaasa na sa bawat pag-ani nila ng kanilang pinaparaming bila-bila ay may lumabas na paruparong bakla.

Department of Tourism-Mimaropa Regional Director Ma. Luisa Diploma, visits one of the butterfly farms in Marinduque. Photo by Toby Jamilla

Kung nais ninyong makakita ng paruparong bakla, halina at bisitahin ang magandang islang lalawigan ng Marinduque na hindi lamang tanyag sa taunang Moriones Lenten Rites at magagandang lugar na pasyalan gayundin, maging sa kakaibang uri na nilalang ng Poong Maykapal, Paruparong Bakla katawagan ng mga lokal.

This story was written by Dr. Josue M. Victoria, a provincial veterinarian in the island of Marinduque.

MANILA, Philippines — To celebrate World Whale Day, the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Rizal Park, Manila, yesterday unveiled to the public its newest permanent display: the Marinduque Sperm Whale.

Sperm whale found stranded and died at the coastal of Barangay Buangan, Torrijos, Marinduque in 1994. Photo CTTO/Marinduque News

"At the Hyundai Philippines Entrance Hall of the NMNH was the Marinduque Sperm Whale, a 13.25-meter (43.5 feet) long sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) skeleton suspended from the ceiling," the National Museum said in a statement.

Marinduque sperm whale suspended from the ceiling of the National Museum of Natural History in Rizal Park, Manila. Photo by Philippine Star

"The story of how the skeleton of the whale came to the National Museum began in 1994, when a report from Porferio de Guzman of Barangay Buangan, Torrijos, Marinduque regarding a sperm whale found on the beach there was received. Recovered, cleaned, preserved and kept by another local, Luciano Matienzo, the almost completely intact male skeleton was purchased from him and brought to Manila as a prominent highlight of the museum’s collection of osteological specimens. Twenty-five years later, the Marinduque Sperm Whale will now welcome visitors to the National Museum of Natural History as they walk through its doors," it added.

Director Jeremy Barns checks out the Marinduque sperm whale at National Museum of Natural History. Photo by National Museum of the Philippines

The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale in the world. It is one of the most iconic species of whale, made popular by Herman Melvilles’ classic novel Moby Dick.

"This deep-diving whale was once abundant in seas all over the world, including in and around the Philippines, but was hunted heavily by humans from the 18th to the early 20th centuries for its oil," the statement noted.

Marinduque sperm whale suspended from the ceiling of the National Museum of Natural History in Rizal Park, Manila. Photo by Philippine Star

In the Philippines, sperm whales can be seen alone or in groups in Bohol Sea and Sulu Sea and around the Batanes group of islands.

"Now considered endangered, they are protected by local and international laws," the group added.

Marinduque sperm whale suspended from the ceiling of the National Museum of Natural History in Rizal Park, Manila. Photo by Philippine Star

World Whale Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness of these majestic creatures and their plight. Founded in Maui, Hawaii in 1980 to honor the humpback whales that migrate to its waters to breed, this special day is now celebrated all over the world to show support for whales everywhere.

This story was first published on Philstar.com, "Whale takes center stage at National Museum".

SANTA CRUZ, Marinduque - Nakiisa ang mga deboto ni Senyor Sto. Nino sa Marinduque sa pagdiriwang ng Ati-Atihan Festival nitong Linggo.

Napuno ng kulay ang mga kalsada kasabay ang mga pagtatanghal ng mga kalahok sa liwasang bayan ng Santa Cruz.

Sigaw nila ang "Pit Senyor!" habang binabaybay ang mga kalsada.














Mga larawang kuha ni Randave Ragalia/Marinduquenews.com

Flag in the provincial capitol remain at half-mast in remembrance of Gov. Carmencita Reyes. Photo of Drew Penafiel/MNN

BOAC, Marinduque - Bilang pagluluksa at pagbibigay-pugay sa 48 taon o halos limang dekadang paglilingkod sa publiko ni dating Gov. Carmencita Reyes, naka-half-mast ang watawat ng Pilipinas sa lalawigan ng Marinduque simula ngayong araw.

Flag in the municipality of Gasan remain at half-mast in remembrance of Gov. Carmencita Reyes. Photo of Adrian Rosales/MNN

Flags in front of the provincial capitol remain at half-mast in remembrance of Gov. Carmencita Reyes. Photo of Erwin Penafiel/MNN

Pumanaw si Reyes umaga nitong Lunes, Enero 7 dahil sa 'stomach aneursym'. -Marinduquenews.com

Si Romeo Mataac, Jr., ng Marinduque News kasama si Bb. Araw ng Gasan Runner Up Crisnelle Garcia habang sakay ng float ng Dream Favor Travel & Tours at R. R. Encabo Constructors

BOAC, Marinduque - Naging masaya at makulay ang pagdiriwang ng Bila-Bila Festival sa bayan ng Boac nitong Sabado, Disyembre 8.

Ang 'Civic & Uniformed Service and Bila-Bila Float Parade' ay bahagi ng isang linggong pagdiriwang ng ika-396 na Taong Pagkakatatag ng munisipalidad ng Boac.

Itinampok sa parada ang mga makukulay na float na gawa ng iba't ibang ahensya ng lokal na pamahalaan at pribadong sektor.

Marinduque Alliance of Butterfly Permittees Float

Balar Hotel and Spa Float

Dream Favor Travel & Tours and R. R. Encabo Constructors Inc. Float

Marinduque Dental Society Float

M. Lhuiller Financial Services Float 1

M. Lhuiller Financial Services Float 2

Marinduque Youth Core Float 1

Marinduque Youth Core Float Back Ride

Office of the Congressman Float

Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers-Marinduque Chapter Float

PLDT and Smart Float

Local Government of Boac Float

Ang aktibidad na pinangunahan ni Boac Mayor Roberto Madla ay nagsimula ganap na alas-8:00 ng umaga sa kahabaan ng T. Roque St. hanggang Pamintuan St. Poblacion at nagtapos sa Edmundo M. Reyes Sr. Sports Complex.

Umaasa naman ang mga 'organizer' na mas marami pang organisasyon ang makiisa sa susunod na taon -Marinduquenews.com

Kathang Tula ni Eleuterio R. Raza, Jr. / Marinduquenews.com