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Marinduque
—  Province  —
Seal
Map of the Philippines with Marinduque highlighted
Coordinates: 13°24′N 121°58′E / 13.4°N 121.967°E / 13.4; 121.967Coordinates: 13°24′N 121°58′E / 13.4°N 121.967°E / 13.4; 121.967
Country	Philippines
Region	MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)
Founded	February 21, 1920
Capital	Boac
Government
- Governor	Jose Antonio N. Carrion (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
Area
- Total	952.6 km2 (367.8 sq mi)
Area rank	75th out of 80
Population (2007)
- Total	229,636
- Density	241.1/km2 (624.3/sq mi)
Population rank	68th out of 80
Population density rank	32nd out of 80
Divisions
- Independent cities	0
- Component cities	0
- Municipalities	6
- Barangays	218
- Districts	Lone district of Marinduque
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code
Spoken languages	Tagalog

Marinduque is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. Its capital is Boac. Marinduque lies between Tayabas Bay to the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is located south and west of Quezon, east of Mindoro, and north of Romblon.

History

Legend has it that the island of Marinduque was formed as a consequence of a tragic love affair between two people: Marina and Garduke. Marina's father, a local chieftain, did not approve of this affair and ordered the beheading of Garduke. Before this could be done, the couple sailed out to sea and drowned themselves, forming the island now called Marinduque. Another version of the story told in Buenavista, Marina is fairy who lives in the Malindig Mountain. The suitor is a Duke. They got married and the island was named after them, Marina and the Duke. Other versions of the legend also claim that the island was named "Malindik", named after Marinduque's highest mountain, Mt. Malindig. When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Philippines, they found the name hard to pronounce, which led to the renaming of the island as "Marinduc" and later the current "Marinduque" when spelled in its French from (e.g. Antique for Hantik, Cavite for Kawit).

During the Spanish and early American occupations, Marinduque was part of the province of Balayan (now Batangas) in the 16th century, Mindoro in the 17th century, and had a brief period as an independent province in 1901, when the Americans arrived.

During the Philippine-American War, Marinduque was the first island to have American concentration camps.^[1] Marinduque is the site of the Battle of Pulang Lupa, where Filipino soldiers under Colonel Maximo Abad, defeated a larger better trained force of Americans.

In 1902, the US-Philippine Commission annexed the islands of Mindoro (now two separate provinces) and Lubang (now part of Occidental Mindoro) to the province.

Four months later, the province became part of the province of Tayabas (now Quezon).

On February 21, 1920, Act 2280 was passed by the Philippine Congress, reestablishing Marinduque as a separate province.

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces landed in Marinduque.

In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.

Archaeology

Archaeology in the Philippines began in Marinduque. Prior to 1900, only one important archaeological investigation had been carried out in the country: Alfred Marche’s exploration of Marinduque from April to July 1881. According to anthropologist Otley Beyer, while many other accidental finds have been recorded from time to time and a few burial caves and sites had been casually explored by European or local scientists, no systematic work had been done anywhere else prior to these explorations. After Marche, the next important archaeological work was undertaken by Dr. Carl Gunthe in the Central Visayan Islands in 1922.

"An abundant yield of Chinese urns, vases, gold ornaments, skulls and other ornaments of pre-Spanish origin,” was what the Marche finds represented. He brought back to France in 40 crates the Marinduque artifacts he uncovered. Part of it now said to be housed at the Musee de l’Homme in France. The finds also included a wooden image of the Marinduque anito called ‘Pastores’ by the natives.

Part of these artifacts have also found their way into the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. These fragile jarlets traveled from China to the pre-colonial Philippines. Buried in a cave in Marinduque for centuries, they were excavated in the late 19th century, brought to Paris and eventually ended up in a museum bodega outside Washington, D.C. Part of Marinduque's history lies in museums abroad and it will take sometime to analyze these artifacts to piece together our pre-colonial past. ^[2]

Geography

Marinduque is a heart-shaped island between Tayabas Bay in the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is separated from the Bondoc Peninsula in Quezon by the Mompog Pass. Some of the smaller islands to the northeast are Maniuayan Island, Santa Cruz Island, and Mompog Island. The highest peak in Marinduque is Mt. Malindig (formerly, Mt. Marlanga), a potentially active volcano with an elevation of 1157 meters.

The island has two major seasons—the dry season (November through February) and the rainy season (June through October), with a transitional period in between.^[3]

Demography

Marinduqueños are said to be very hospitable in nature and are very welcoming. One such custom reflecting this is putong, which is a custom of welcoming and honoring friends and visitors. The honoree (or honorees) are seated and crowned with flowers while local women dance and sing for them. Other well-wishers throw coins and flower petals for long life. Marinduqueños are of Tagalog origin and speak Tagalog.

Language

The version of Tagalog spoken in Marinduque has been described as "the root from which modern national forms of speech have sprung," where remnants of archaic Tagalog could be found, spoken in a lilting manner by its inhabitants. If this linguistic theory is accurate, Marinduque's Tagalog has contributed significantly to the the development of the official Philippine national language. ^[4]

To this day, Marinduqueños speak an old variation of the Tagalog language that is very close to the way Tagalog was spoken before the Spanish colonization. According to language experts, the Tagalog dialects of Marinduque are the most divergent, especially the Eastern Marinduque dialect, perhaps due to the relative isolation from the Tagalogs of Luzon and also perhaps due to the influence of the Visayan and Bikol migrants. ^[5]

Linguist Rosa Soberano's 1980 The Dialects of Marinduque Tagalog goes into great depth concerning the dialects spoken there. The following is a verb chart which outlines the conjugation of the Eastern Marindique dialect of Tagalog:

Linguist Christopher Sundita observed that some of the affixes in Marinduque Tagalog, particularly "a-" and "ina-," are affixes used in Asi (Bantoanon), a Visaya language spoken in Romblon, just south of Marinduque. Marinduque Talagalo like the Tagalog spoken over two centuries ago had an additional verb category, the imperative which is used for commands and requests (i.e., Matulog ka na - Go to sleep). Even then, the imperative and the infinitive were used side by side in expressing commands, but apparently the infinitive became used exclusively in standard Tagalog. In certain dialects of Batangas Tagalog, it has been said that one says buksi mo instead of buksan mo for "open it." And in the Eastern Marinduque dialect, the imperative affixes are very much alive. ^[6]

Culture

The Moriones festival also plays a prominent role in Marinduque's culture. Marinduque is famous for this annual Moriones Festival. During the month of April, parades and celebrations can be seen on the streets. In Buenavista, Gasan, Boac, and Mogpog, a parade of people dressed as Moriones can be seen on the main road connecting the towns of the island. Boac and Sta. Cruz, the biggest town in the province, shows a reenactment in the evening of the actual event when Longinus, a blind soldier, punctures Jesus with his spear and blood droplets from the wound restores Longinus' sight.

Schools/Educational Institution

Tertiary

• Lighthouse Maritime Institute in Poblacion, Boac, Marinduque
• Marinduque Midwest College in Gasan, Marinduque
• Marinduque State College - Main Campus in Boac, Marinduque
• Marinduque State College - Fisheries in Gasan, Marinduque
• Marinduque State College - Sta. Cruz campus
• Marinduque State College - Torrijos campus
• St. Mary's College of Marinduque in Isok, Boac, Marinduque

Secondary

• Marinduque National High School, Boac, Marinduque
• Santa Cruz Institute in Banahaw, Santa Cruz, Marinduque
• Quezon-Roxas High School(private school)-[Dulong Bayan, Mogpog, Marinduque
• Malindig Institute-(Private School) since 1922 -(brangay lapu-lapu Sta.Cruz Marinduque
• Makapuyat National High School - (Public School) Since 1968 - Napo, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
• Tambangan National High School-Since 1977- Tambagan Santa Cruz Marinduque
• If you're looking for some other educational institutions, kindly proceed to designated counties/municipalities for the direct statements of the secondary and primary schools.

Economy

Marinduque is an agricultural province, primarily growing rice and coconuts. It is also a place for handicrafts that is now being exported to dıfferent parts of the world. Fishing is also an important part of the economy. Mining was once an important player in the economy until a mining accident (the Marcopper Mining Disaster) occurred, bringing the industry to a standstill on the island and causing countless amounts of damage to the people and the island. The provincial government has just recently sued Marcopper's parent company, Placer Dome, for $100 million in damages. Placer Dome was purchased in 2006 by Barrick Gold, who has now been joined in the lawsuit.

Tourism also plays a major role in the economy especially during the lenten season. Whilst not a major source of economy for the island, it has shown great growth.

Transport

By Air

Currently, Marinduque is served with a direct flight to and from Manila with Zest Airways (Formerly Asian Spirit), the aircraft lands at the Marinduque Airport in barangay Masiga, roughly in between Gasan and Boac.

By Water

Montenegro Lines- bounding from Lucena City to Marinduque through Balanacan Port in Mogpog, Buyabod Port in Sta. Cruz, and Cawit Port in Boac.

MV - Torrijos- bounding from Lucena City to Marinduque through Buyabod Port in Sta. Cruz, and Cawit Port in Boac.

Jac Liner also served a direct route from Manila to Marinduque through roll on-roll off along the way.

Political divisions

Marinduque is divided into 6 municipalities and 218 barangay's

Municipalities

External links

• Provincial Government of Marinduque
• Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay as of August 1, 2007
• Tourism website for Marinduque ( Unofficial )

Footnotes

Political Divisions of the Philippines Capital Manila • National Capital Region Autonomous region Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Provinces Abra • Agusan del Norte • Agusan del Sur • Aklan • Albay • Antique • Apayao • Aurora • Basilan • Bataan • Batanes • Batangas • Benguet • Biliran • Bohol • Bukidnon • Bulacan • Cagayan • Camarines Norte • Camarines Sur • Camiguin • Capiz • Catanduanes • Cavite • Cebu • Compostela Valley • Cotabato • Davao del Norte • Davao del Sur • Davao Oriental • Dinagat Islands • Eastern Samar • Guimaras • Ifugao • Ilocos Norte • Ilocos Sur • Iloilo • Isabela • Kalinga • La Union • Laguna • Lanao del Norte • Lanao del Sur • Leyte • Maguindanao • Marinduque • Masbate • Misamis Occidental • Misamis Oriental • Mountain Province • Negros Occidental • Negros Oriental • Northern Samar • Nueva Ecija • Nueva Vizcaya • Occidental Mindoro • Oriental Mindoro • Palawan • Pampanga • Pangasinan • Quezon • Quirino • Rizal • Romblon • Samar • Sarangani • Siquijor • Sorsogon • South Cotabato • Southern Leyte • Sultan Kudarat • Sulu • Surigao del Norte • Surigao del Sur • Tarlac • Tawi-Tawi • Zambales • Zamboanga del Norte • Zamboanga del Sur • Zamboanga Sibugay Other subdivisions Island groups • Regions • Cities • Municipalities • Barangays • Legislative districts Territorial disputes Benham Plateau • North Borneo (Sabah) • Scarborough Shoal • Spratly Islands

From Wikitravel

Marinduque is an island in the Mimaro island group of the Philippines.

• Boac
• Buenavista
• Gasan
• Mogpog
• Santa Cruz
• Torrijos

• Tres Reyes Islands

Get in

Marinduque Island can be accessed by a number of Ports and by Air via Gasan Airport.

By Air

Currently, Marinduque is served with a direct flight to and from Manila with Zest Airways (Formerly Asian Spirit), the aircraft lands at the Marinduque Airport in barangay Masiga, roughly in between Gasan and Boac. It flies four times to the island every monday, wednesday, friday and sunday [1]. Also, there are talks that Seaair will fly to the islands on the remaining days (tuesday, thursday, saturday and an afternoon flight on a sunday). It is highly recommended that you arrange with the hotel/resort or person you are staying with for transfers to and from the airport as the island does not have any taxis available for hire.

By Boat

Marinduque can be reached by a number of ports from Lucena City, on the Mainland (Luzon). Balanacan Port, Cawit Port or Buyabod Port are the ports of call for Marinduque Island.[2]. If you are to reach Marinduque from Manila, you must take a bus or similar to Lucena City then take a Ferry/Boat from Lucena to one of the ports listed above. Currently Montenegro Lines (MSLI) serves routes from Lucena to Marinduque, but a few others do have a sheduled routes to Marinduque.

As of August 2009, there is already a roro port, Subuquin port, connecting San Juan, Batangas to the port of Balanacan, Marinduque. The route is being serviced by Star Horse Shipping for the marine transport and RRCG Bus Line for the land route.

There are plans to open more sea route to-and-from the provinces of Masbate, Romblon and Mindoro.

By Bus

Marinduque does have direct Bus service from Manila to Marinduque, you must purchase a bus ticket from one of the cities (Manila and Surrounding areas) that is direct to Marinduque. This means the bus will drive you directly to Marinduque from Manila (Of course, via the Ferry along the way).

Get around

Jeepneys, Tricycles and FX's are the main means of transport on Marinduque Island. Prices are negotiated from Driver to Driver, but at the Main Tricycle terminal and Jeepney terminals on the island, their are posted Fixed rates.

• White Beach - White Beach is located in Barangay Poctoy within the municipality of Torrijos. Poctoy's white beach is one of the finest beach's on the Marinduque Mainland, Their your surrounded by clean clear, deep water and warm happy locals. The area is also a hangout for the local community, where you can spend the night singing karaoke or talking and meeting the locals. Not only is it a Social area, it also doubles as a small market area in the day. You can purchase the latest Catch of Fish from the Fishermen, you can buy products from the Sari-Sari store or sit back and drink a beer at the adjacent resort.

Tres Reyes Islands, Marinduque

• Tres Reyes Islands - The Tres Reyes Islands (Also Known as the "Three Kings") is a chain of 3 Islands off the coast of Gasan. The main island is known as "Gaspar Island", It is famous for it's always empty beach's, perfectly white sand and amazing diving and clear azure warm water. The beautiful islands can be accessed via boat only, you must organise a boat trip with one of the Resorts along the coastline or with a local fisherman. Don't be scared to haggle with either of the two, as long as your realistic.

• The Bathala Caves - The Bathala Caves are one of the famed sites of Marinduque, this Massive cave system is located in the mountains of Santa Cruz on private Property. You must ask the propertie's owners to access the Caves, they typically charge a small fee. You also have the option of payinga bit more Peso's (not much) for a Guided tour. It is wise to have a guided tour if it's your first time, as you have to climb and hike some fairly rugged landscapes. The Caves are amazing to view, especially during sunset/sunrise when the Cave (named - The Cathedral) lights up entirely, showing off it's amazing lines. The Python cave is another cave that is a must see, Do not go to the Python cave if you have a fear of Snakes, The name wasn't made up for no reason. The Python's caves is a large system of caves with Rock Pythons living in the walls and areas, but do not fear as they are relatively harmless as long as you don't do anything to upset them (don't worry, the Guides keep you fairly far from the action anyway).

• Red Mountain - Red Mountain is the site of the Battle of Pulang Lupa in the Philippine-American War. After a long hike to the top, you will be rewarded with a ful 360 degree view of the surrounding Marinduque Area and valleys. The Mountain also is the place of the Battle of Pulang Lupa Memorial, the Battle was won by the Filipino's of Marinduque against the Americans, the name "Red Mountain" was because of the amount of Blood spilt between the Americans and Filipino's during the Philippine-American War. If you don't like long hikes or are suffering from some sort of health problem, I would warn that the Hike is hard especially during a Hot day. You can access half the track up to the Main Memorial with a vehicle, but the hike is still difficult to those not in best shape.

• Go diving - Marinduque has a lot of places to explore underwater, generally the Drop-off into the reefs and marine life in Marinduque is a few hundred meters off shore (depending where you are). The Tres Reyes Islands are great to start you off in diving or snorkeling, the islands are surrounded by abundant marine life and warm tropical waters.

• Watch cockfighting - Generally every weekend (Saturday especially) the local cockfight begins around noon. If you do not agree with cockfighting or prefer not to know anything of it, i urge you to avoid the Cockfight Arena's during the Weekend. If you wish to take part in the activity you can, by simply paying a fee at the door you can enter the arena and place bet's. It's is an amazing sight to see, the arena's are typically packed and very noisy and social.

• Take part in the Moriones - The Moriones is an amazing festival that takes part all over Marinduque during Holy Week. During the Lenten season, Marinduque comes alive with people from all over the countryside visting to witness the very popular and famous Moriones Festival, a colorful religous celebration that links to the story of Longinus with Christ’s Passion and Death. This festival is known as the most colorful in all of the Philippines, if you plan on visiting during the festival you should prepare in advance, as a lot of people travel during the holy season (peak travel season).

• Relax and explore - You have many options of what to do on Marinduque, typically a lot of coastal resorts will have a boat on offer (Also known as a "Bangka"), you can take the boat out and explore your own way or go for a relaxing snorkel offshore. If you wish to visit more inland, their's a number of things to do. Exploring and bargaining at the local markets is always a good way to socialize and take in the sights. Their are also a number of traditional places to visit, you can purchase traditional crafts made by local artisans or you can even purchase your own "Moriones Festival" Mask.

Eat

There is a wide range of things to eat on Marinduque Island. In the bigger citys such as Gasan or Boac, you have more of a range of things to eat. Resorts around Marinduque do also serve meals, but when it comes to the more rural areas you will likely have less of a choice, typically Filipino food is only served around the rural areas. Street barbeques can be common around some sari-sari stores and the city areas. In some resorts you also have the option of cooking for yourself.

Drink

There are many bars on Marinduque Island that can offer you whatever your drinking need is. Most of the normal bars can be found in the main citys whilst in and around rural Marinduque you have Sari-Sari stores and beach-side-bars. A number of karaoke bars are dotted around the island, where you can usually find a drink nearby.

Sleep

Gasan

Gasan has a number of hotels and resorts spread out along the coastline.

• Katala Beach Resort. Many facilities on offer such as a running restaurant and bar, air-conditioning, a boat you can hire and clean rooms with friendly staff. The resort is located directly on the beach.

• Club Marinduque, [3]. Has a number of facilities such as food, air-con, a pool and large rooms. The resort is right on the beach, and is one of the premier resorts on Marinduque.

Torrijos

Torrijos has primarily resorts located along the coastline.

• Beach Club Cagpo,(beachclubcagpo@yahoo.com), [4] is situated right on the beach, with 200 meters of white private beach on offer. A seasonal restaurant serves European and Filipino dish's. There is a private van on offer if you wish to be picked up at the port. The cottages include air-con and private bathrooms. You also have the choice of making your own meals with an outdoor kitchen available as well.

Boac

Boac has a number of hotels and resorts available.

Tahanan sa Isok[5]. A lovely 15 room hotel in Boac offering all of the modern amenities to make your visit in Marinduque a most memorable and comfortable one. The hotel offers a restaurant, a secluded garden and a swimming pool. Located on a quiet street but only a short walk away from the festivities during Lenten season.

Santa Cruz

[[Santa Cruz]] has a number of hotels and resorts available.

• Oromismo Hotel, [6]. Located right in downtown of the town of Santa Cruz, is one of many newer buildings built in 2008..

Conveniently located in the heart of Downtown behind Ssnta Cruz Municipal Building, and in front of Fire Department and inside [Oromismo Bldg]., you will find the following tenants: D’Marge restaurant, Murillo Dental clinic, Medical Specialty offices,Yanoo gifts/boutique shop,Best Cellular sales and repair and Hair groom Barbershop. 1st class hotel ever built in 2008, a 4 story cemented building dedicated to the people of Santa Cruz Large bedrooms and fully air-conditioned Dependable and ample supply of Hot and Cold running water on premises Dependable owned power generator is on the premises in case of brownout (loss of local power) Hotel floors completely tiled. No carpets. All accessories such as bed spreads, bed sheets, pillow/covers, and bathroom fixtures are all imported from the U.S.A. There are Stores and Offices available for rent and ideal for jewelry pawnshop,banks,offices,branch offices,etc. Clean – Exterior and interior. Courteous staff - 24/7 days on duty Banquet hall available for rent for parties or conferences located on the top of the building-4th floor. Laundrymat is on the premises, washing machine and dryer imported from USA.nO MORE PALABA IN THE RIVER, JUST PUT IN THE WASHING MACHINE. SMELL FRESSH. oromismohotel8@yahoo.com Tel. 011-6342-321-2024 ==

Stay safe

Like any other place in the world, it is unsafe to flash all your money or belongings in public, or leave them sitting around unattended. Marinduque has a very small crime rate, in fact one of the smallest in the Philippines, But this doesn't mean you should leave all your stuff hanging around. It's wise to take care of your stuff wherever you go in the world as you travel.

Get out

To get out of Marinduque, you simply have to get to one of the nearest ports on time. Jeepney's, tricycle and FX's can always take you to the port. In the larger cities, such as Gasan, Torrijos, Santa Cruz and Boac the Bus Liners tend to stop off at the local terminal. They wait until the bus is full or when it's time to leave for the Port. If your unsure of the time of departure for the Port, ask around, especially to bus or jeepney Drivers. They always know the right time.