While the moryon masks—for which Marinduque is known—hid the faces of the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus Christ, the province doesn’t have anything to conceal, but more to reveal.
Marinduque showcased its other hidden wonders during its centennial founding anniversary last week, Feb. 16-22.
The weeklong celebration kicked off with the recent unveiling of the plaque of the historic Boac Cathedral declaring it an Important Cultural Property. Officially known as the Immaculate Conception Parish Church, and regarded as the greatest monument of local faith and history, it was given the accolade by the National Museum of the Philippines in December 2018.
Major events included the unveiling of the Centennial Monument and the Bantayog-Wika, an initiative of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, and the Provincial Government.
An art workshop, entitled “Sining SikLAVan sa Sentenaryo,” was led by well-known artist Maestro Fernando Sena who hails from Gasan town. While the Miss Marinduque Centennial Queen pageant selected the new ambassadors of tourism and goodwill of the province.
Celebration peaked with Araw ng Marinduque on Feb. 21 featuring the Parade of Floats of the six municipalities, the Moryonan parade of moryons, the launch of the PhilPost commemorative stamp, and the Gawad Marinduqueño Awards and Baliktanaw sa Kasaysayan at Kulturang Marinduque, capped by an evening musical show featuring Marinduqueño singers and OPM icon Ogie Alcasid.
Celebrations concluded with the 4×4 Off-road Jeep Club Philippines National Jamboree opening ceremonies and the Centennial Heritage Tour which both went around the province’s tourist spots.
Considered as the “heartland of the Philippines” because of its being the geodetic center of the archipelago, Marinduque takes pride in its powdery white beaches on the islands of Tres Reyes, Maniwaya, Palad Sandbar, Sta. Cruz, and Mompong, and lush biodiversity at the Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary and Mt. Malindig.
It also boasts butterfly farms, icy waterfalls, and cave networks, most notably Bagumbungan in Sta. Cruz town.