Photos courtesy of : PIE HIRONDO
Kids take center stage in Marinduque festival By: Gerald Gene R. Querubin, Inquirer News Unlike the extravagant pageantry of the Sinulog in Cebu City, Dinagyang in Iloilo City and Ati-Atihan in Kalibo town in Aklan, Marinduque marked the golden anniversary of its own version of the Feast of the Sto. Niño with hundreds of children joining the street-dancing parade and performances. Sunday’s celebration at the Santa Cruz town plaza highlighted the children’s dynamism and early devotion to the Child Jesus. Accompanied by their parents and guardians, the young performers swayed to the beat of drums and bamboo percussion instruments while shouting “Hala Bira” and prancing around with make-believe spears and swords. Their faces and bodies stained with charcoal and CHILDREN dance to drummulticolored paint, they wore colorful tribal costumes beats and shout “Hala Bira” during the golden celebration made from indigenous or recycled materials. of the Feast of the Sto. Niño in Fourteen groups, each composed of 25-50 chil- Santa Cruz town in Marindudren aged 4 to 12 years, joined the competition. que. GERALD GENE Organizers said the annual event had already QUERUBIN evolved from being a purely adult-dominated festivity 50 years ago to one in which children were under the limelight. Jailed founders Ronnie Diana, who hails from Aklan, helped organize the first Ati-Atihan celebration in Santa Cruz in 1963. At that time, he said, 12 Aklan natives who had worked with him at a fishpond just outside the town proper stained themselves with charcoal and danced in the streets with a Sto. Niño image. Diana remembered that his friends were jailed because officials and residents were unaware of the Ati-Atihan tradition. “It was through the intervention of a priest that we were freed,” he said. Nowadays, Diana reiterated a wish for residents to be drawn more to the occasion’s religious value than the call of commercialism. “We have no intentions of copying the original. What we did before and what we are doing now is simply to encourage residents, especially the children, to become devotees of the Child Jesus and to embrace its essence,” he said. Reacting to the festival’s critics that the town’s version of the Ati-Atihan would never be at par with the glitters and fanfare of the Sinulog, Dinagyang and Ati-Atihan which have attracted millions of tourists through the years, Diana said Marinduque’s version was more of a religious tradition than a tourism showcase. Without any financial help from big firms, it has been able to survive, he said. He attributed this to efforts of elder devotees who wanted to preserve and enhance their devotion to the Child Jesus. Tourism showcase Dindo Asuncion, provincial tourism officer, believed, however, that the province’s version has the potential of becoming a regional tourism showcase. “We are not at par with the Sinulog or the Dinagyang, but we can market our festival to residents of our neighboring provinces,” he said. D iomer Dy, founder of the Barangay Maharlika Ati-Atihan Group in Santa Cruz, said the festival could generate more tourists because there were visible improvements in terms of the participants’ costumes and performances. “This year’s festival is merrier, more colorful and beautiful and we have more participants and more spectators,” Dy said.
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The MIMAROPA SUNRISE/ January 15 -21, 2013
Buenavista's grand Santo Nino Festival By: Eli J. Obligacion, marinduque rising The Santo Nino is the oldest and most popular religious image kept in almost every Catholic home and work places in the Philippines. The image played a significant role in the propagation of the Catholic faith especially at the start of Christianity in the country, the first image having been brought by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Many believe that the revered image has the power to heal the sick, grant one’s wishes and so it has attracted countless numbers of devotees. January is the month of Santo Nino Festivals where many towns, cities and provinces pay homage to the Child Jesus through days of prayer that culminate in the holding of street dances. Prominent among these street festivals are Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Dinagyang in Iloilo and Sinulog in Cebu that over time have become major tourist draws. Many barangays in Marinduque have likewise adopted the Sto. Nino as their patron and hold fiestas in honor of the Holy Child, but the town of Buenavista has honored the same as its patron for The picturesque town of Buenavista over a hundred years. On January 19th students from Buenavista’s secondary schools staged their own version of the Sto. Nino Street Dance. Yook National High School and Buenavista National High School (BNHS) Main, with its campus annexes in barangays Bagacay, Sihi, Bagtingon, Daykitin and Lipata-Tungib came strong with a total of seven contingents. Unlike most street dances Buenavista’s Sto. Nino Festival is not a competition but held only for the sheer fun of it and for sharing of youth creativity. For costumes and accessories, the Bagacay contingent apparently took off from their barangay-bred Tubaan festival that extensively utilized coconut leaf sheath, flowers, coconut leaf splinters and husks. Theirs were easily the most interesting festival costumes. The Lipata-Tungib contingent showed off abalone seashells that abound in those coastal barangays. Many girls wore skirts in various colors, textures and designs over black or beige tights and leotards or cycling shorts, while some wore Filipiniana. Most applauded for their tight, exuberant, clean choreography was the Daykitin group. Many Buenavistans of all ages lined up the major streets of town to watch the performances. They cheered for their hometown boys and girls who all shouted the rallying cry that echoed throughout this fascinating town, “Viva Santo Nino! Arriba Buenavista! Viva Marinduque!” The contingent from Bagacay with costumes and headdresses made of coconut leaf sheath, husks and leaf splinters.
The girls from Sihi and Timbo wore Filipiniana
The drummer boys from Buenavista National High School
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No. 12
Girl from Sihi with Santo Nino
Boy with abalone seashell headband and necklace.
Girls from Bagtingon wore butterflyinspired costumes, that's where the biggest number of butterfly species in Tight, exuberant, clean choreography from the Marinduque could be found. Daykitin contingent.
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30 OSY, nakuhang iskolar Unity walk at prayerBy Voltaire ng OrMin Pandayan-Best rally matagumpay Dequina By Luis T. Cueto
SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro, (PIA) -- Naging matagumLUNGSOD NG CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Enero pay ang Unity Walk and Prayer Rally for Secure and Fair 21 (PIA) -- Tatlumpung out-of-school youth (OSY) ang na- Elections (SAFE) 2013 . Ito ay pinangunahan ng Philippine National Police kakuhang scholars kamakailan ng Oriental Mindoro Pangkasama ang Commission on Elections (Comelec), Department of buhayang Dalubhasaan ng Bayan-Bridging Education Interior and Local Government, Armed Forces of the Philippines through Skills Training Program (Pandayan-Best) na magat iba pang mga non-government organizations (NGOs). sanay ng shielded metal arc welding sa Keppel Shipyard. Ito rin ay sa pangunguna ni Provincial Director Lorenzo Katuwang ang Malampaya Foundation, mahigit sa P1 B. Detran bilang panawagan ng isang mapayapa at tapat na elekmilyon ang inilaang pondo ng kapitolyo sa industrial skills trainsyon sa darating na halalan. Kasabay nito ang katulad na aktiing program na naglalayong bigyang-kasanayan ang mga kabataang Mindoreño at maihanda sa mga napapanahon ngayong bidad sa iba’t ibang dako ng bansa. Ayon kay SPO1 Joselito Santiago Ramos, chief Police trabaho. Community Relations, ganap na alas singko ng umaga nang magSinabi ni Gob. Alfonso V. Umali Jr. na itinataguyod simula ang unity walk. Lumibot sa kabayanan ng San Jose at niya ang programa upang higit na paunlarin ang kasanayan ng muling bumalik sa plaza upang isagawa naman ang prayer rally. mga mag-aaral hindi lamang para sa kanilang kapakanan kundi Pinangunahan ni Bishop Medel Valiente Sr. ang Interupang mapaunlad ang uri ng serbisyong kanilang maiaambag sa faith at Ecumenical prayer gayundin ang pagbasa ng Ten Commga mamamayan. mandments para sa SAFE 2013. Itinataguyod ng pamahalaan ang programang tulad nito Matapos nito ay sinindahan ang symbolic candle na kuupang bigyang-kakayahan at oportunidad ang mga kabataang makatawan sa katuparan ng layunin ng isinagawang unity walk at mag-aaral. Malaki rin aniya ang tulong ng iba’t ibang programa prayer rally. Nagsagawa din ng voters pledge na pinangunahan naupang maging competitive ang mga Mindoreño at makasabay sa man ni Provincial Election Supervisor Edwin R. Villa. Dito ay malaking pagbabago sa teknolohiya at makapasok sa malalaking ipinarating ni Villa na ang mga umiiral at mga bagong batas na industriya ngayon, kabilang na ang outsourcing services indusipinalabas ng Comelec ay dapat maipatupad at sundin upang matry. (PIO/LTC/TBO/-PIA-Calapan City) siguro ang tahimik at kapanipaniwalang halalan. Bilang panghuling bahagi ng programa ay isinagawa ang Happy 6th year AnniveRsary!!! Signing of Commitment ng mga dumalong government at NGOs kasunod ang panghuling mensahe ni Detran kung saan hinimok ang lahat na magtulungan upang makamit ang isang matiwasay at makabuluhang eleksyon sa darating na Mayo. (TBO/VND-PIA) MABUHAY!!! Greetings from:
Gerald Gene Querubin Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
Pagbati mula kay: SP Member-1st District Marinduque
VOTE
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The MIMAROPA SUNRISE/ January 15-21, 2013
Greetings from:
Comelec to Oriental Mindoro voters: Lone aspirants still need your vote By Luis T. Cueto CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- One vote will do. Local folks here still need to cast their votes, even if the three local electoral candidates of Oriental Mindoro are running unopposed in the coming polls, lawyer John Mark R. Tambasacan, Comelec Oriental Mindoro provincial supervisor, said. Otherwise, if no vote is cast in their favor, the candidates cannot be declared winners in their respective positions. Comelec records show that there are no other political candidates who filed their candidacy for the second district, governor and vice governor of the province except the incumbents Congressman Rey Umali, Gov. Alfonso Umali, Jr. and Vice Gov. Humerlito Dolor. At present, no data have yet been published on the expected number of voters in Oriental Mindoro for 2012 in Oriental Mindoro. In 2010, there were 407,914 were registered to vote in the last elections. The province has the second largest registered voters in Region 4-B, second only to Palawan which has 535,279 voters. (LBR/LTC/PIA4B/CALAPAN CITY)
MORE POWER TO:
More power to‌
Greetings from:
Greetings from: Gasan, Marinduque Chairman, Marinduque Provincial Cooperative Development Council (MPCDC)
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No. 12
SB Member, Boac, Marinduque
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Presscon in Marinduque Walk for S.A.F.E. 2013 pangungunahan ng PNP clears election issues By: Mayda N. Lagran
BOAC, Marinduque, (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Election (Comelec) held a press conference at Camp Maximo Abad, Santol, Boac recently in preparation for the coming Synchronized Automated Election on May 13. All municipal election officers from the six towns of the province were present. PNP Provincial Director Edwin M. Capanzana, Asst. Provincial Director for Administration Guilmer Manguera, and Provincial Election Officer Atty. Fernando Besino led the discussion and explained the provisions of the laws concerned in the forthcoming election. Also present to answer questions during the presscon were the municipal police station chiefs, representatives from the Philippine Army, and other PNP officials. Sec.261 of the Omnibus Election Code under the Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 was discussed, particularly on Prohibited Acts. It was explained that under this section, those carrying firearms outside the residence or place of business during election period are guilty of election offense unless they have an authorized writing or letter from the Commission. However, this does not apply to cashiers, disbursing officers, individuals or employees whose jobs involve carrying or transferring large amount of money while in the performance of their duties. It was further explained however, that some may use this as an alibi or excuse to carry firearms. Apprehending officers must be very careful on this, Atty. Besino cautioned. Still these persons must be able to present the proper papers for their guns, like the permit to carry, permit to transport and the letter of exemption that could attest that their job truly involves carrying or transferring large amount of money. It was also clarified that the “gun ban” does not only apply on real guns alone. Besino said anyone carrying any replica or modification of a gun that sows may be arrested in violation of the gun ban law regardless if what was confiscated was a real gun or a toy-gun converted to a real gun. A case was cited by Besino where someone was arrested with a toy-gun converted into gun that functioned as a threat to a person. Chief Guilmer Manguera announced that they have established checkpoints and have started the operations last Jan. 13. Up to this date, nothing have been reported and confiscated. Besino also promised to discuss with provincial prosecutors the complaints raised during the presscon pertaining to illegal detentions. Members of the press raised this issue as related to the limited prosecutors which cause delay in the inquest of arrested individuals who commit election-related offenses. Guest officials reminded the public to properly coordinate with municipal Comelec officials, the PNP, AFP and even members of media to help for the safe and fair elections this year. Licensed gun owners are also reminded to keep handy all their documents such as license, permit to carry, letter of exemption if available so as not to encounter problems while in transit. PD Edwin Capanzana who gave the closing statement reiterated to uniformed checkpoint officers the proper way of doing the checkpoint and the right way of talking to people, without violating their political, civil and human rights of everyone, while fulfilling their duty in ensuring peaceful election. (LBR/MNL-PIA4, Marinduque)
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By Dinnes Manzo
ROMBLON, Romblon, (PIA) -- Pangungunahan ng PNP Romblon sa pakikipagtulungan ng Commission on Election (Comelec) ang isang “Unity Walk and Prayer Rally for Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) 2013” sa darating na Huwebes, Enero 17, 5 n.u. na gaganapin sa Romblon, Romblon. Sinabi ni PInsp. Ledilyn Y. Ambonan, Police Community Relations Officer, Romblon Police Provincial Office (RPPO), na ang gagawing aktibidad ay hudyat ng pagsisismula ng election period at pagpapakita ng pagkakaisa ng lahat para sa isang mapayapang halalan sa Mayo 13 ngayo ng taon. Aniya, magsisimula ang paglalakad sa mga itinakdang lugar na panggagalingan ng dalawang grupo na inanyayahang dumalo at makikita-kita sa Romblon Public Plaza kung saan nakatakdang isagawa ang isang prayer rally. Kabilang sa mga inaasahang darating sa naturang okasyon ay ang mga provincial director o pinuno ng mga National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, mga punong guro, mga pinuno ng iba't ibang religious groups at mga kumakandidato ngayong eleksiyon 2013. Sina PNP Provincial Director PSSupt. Danilo M. Abadiano at Provincial Election Officer Atty. Percival C. Mendoza ang pangunahing tagapagsalita na magbibigay ng kani-kanilang mensahe sa mga kalahok upang mahimok ang mga ito para sa isang malinis at mapayapang halalan. Kaugnay ng nasabing aktibidad, itinakda ang pagpupulong bukas sa RPPO Conference Room ng para sa lahat ng mga inimbitahan upang hingin ang kanilang kooperasyon, maayos ng husto ang plano at matagumpay na maisakatuparan ang mgandang adhikain ng PNP.(DM/PIA-IVB Romblon)
DSWD Marinduque grants jobs to 572 fishermen By Mayda Lagran BOAC, Marinduque, (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Marinduque (DSWD) announced that the agency granted work to 572 indigent fishermen who have no regular income. These jobs will assure them with daily means for 11 days starting January 16 to January 27, 2013. The names of 572 grantees were culled from the DSWD list for 2009-2010. Each worker will receive a salary of P219 per day giving them P2,409 for 11-day work. The fisher folks will work on a hundred barangays in five municipalities for the period mentioned. The work load includes cleaning of canals and drainage, helping at the day-care centers and barangay halls if there are repairs or clean-up needed. They will also clean the coastal areas and other places needing rehabilitation and cleaning. They are also expected to help in barangay beautification. Helen Alcoba, DSWD team leader with the support of the municipal social welfare office, facilitated the issuance of papers to the listed workers. This project primarily aims to address poverty reduction by providing at least a source of income for the grantees, promote cleanliness and beautification in barangays and become aware of environmental protection. (ML/TBO – PIA, Marinduque)
The MIMAROPA SUNRISE/ January 15-21, 2013
DAR-Palawan exceeds 2012 LAD target
By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Palawan office surpassed by 18 percent its land acquisition and distribution (LAD) program target in 2012 and maintained its position as the top performer under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in Mimaropa. In 2012, DAR-Palawan acquired and distributed 2,359 hectares, way above its target of 1,992 hectares. The DAR is the lead implementing agency of the country’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program or CARP through land tenure improvement, agrarian justice, and coordinated delivery of essent ia l support ser vices to client -beneficiar ies. DAR-Palawan has been a consistent top performer in LAD surpassing its yearly target by over 100 percent for more than twenty consecutive years while sustaining the intensity in the provision of support services to its farmer-beneficiaries as well as in the delivery of agrarian justice. Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Conrado Guevarra said that the 2012 accomplishment plus the LAD coverages of the past 24 years add up to a total of 56,519 hectares which comprise 97 percent of the total CARP scope for Palawan of 58,212 hectares. He said that the lives of the beneficiaries have fared well under the CARP. “Farmers who benefited from the agrarian reform program and chose to cooperate in the Agrarian Reform Community Development Program are better off than of those who are not,” Guevarra said. He said that 1,525 hectares are targeted for 2013 based on the recent target setting session conducted by its Operations Division and field officials. These are privately-owned agricultural lands and are located in Puerto Princesa City and the other 10 municipalities in Palawan . It is set to turn-over the P18.5-million Tagbolante Communal Irrigation Project and the P33-million Tagbolante Bridge and Road Approaches Project in Berong, Quezon this month. These two rural infra projects are being implemented under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project. (VSM/TBO -PIA-Palawan)
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No. 12
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Agrarian reform department completes P51M worth of infra projects By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has completed the construction of rural infrastructure projects worth P51 million in an agrarian reform community in Barangay Berong, Quezon town. The projects are aimed at sustaining development growth in the area. The completion of the P18.5-million Tagbolante communal irrigation project (CIP) and the P33-million Tagbolante bridge and Road Approaches Project will benefit more than a hundred families. The Tagbolante CIP is jointly implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) with the National Irrigation Administration and financed by DAR and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Program (Arisp). The CIP irrigates about 124 hectares of land of small farmer families who were once dependent on rainfall. The project enables farmers to plant rice more than once a year, boosting crop yields and household income. Another Arisp infrastructure project which is expected to transform Berong and its nearby barangays to productive agricultural areas is the Tagbolante Bridge and Road Approaches project constructed at a cost of P33 million. The bridge will facilitate accessibility of flow of goods from Berong to the town center and other barangay and vice versa. Construction of the bridge began in 2011 through the Department of Public Works and Highways and is also administered under DAR-Arisp. These rural infrastructure projects serve not only the direct beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program but also the other residents of the municipality. The projects are scheduled for turn over this month. (VSM/TBO PIA-Palawan)
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ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
President: George Villaruel
Isang masiglang pagbati
Mula sa: MARINDUQUE HIGH SCHOOL (MHS) Batch 1970 Boac, Marinduque
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The MIMAROPA SUNRISE/ January 15-21, 2013