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MARINDUQUE: A PRIME TOURIST DESTINATION Formerly Pacific MONITOR NEWSMAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER. 11-17, 2012
VOL. 9 NO.46
By: Eli Battle of Obligacion Pulang Lupa: Battle of Masaguisi?
Battle of Pulang Lupa commemorative stamp issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation in 2000.
Mindoro: Nation‟s biggest wind power project breaks ground... Page 8 By: Luis T. Cueto
“The marker stands at the site of the famous battle won by the Marinduquenos over the well-armed American forces on Sept. 13, 1900. (Turn to page 2)
Palawan: DOTC bids out P135 M for San Vicente airport upgrade By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza… page 8
marinduque.gov.ph
Romblon: NSO Romblon naghahanda para sa 2012 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries
By Dinnes Manzo Page 4
Courtesy of:
NCCA approves teaching of 'Kalutang' in Marinduque By Mayda N. Lagran, see page 3
By: Eli J. Obligacion
‘ISLANG ANGAT SA IBA!’ see page 4
2 Battle...
SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2012 (from page1)
The Americans led by Capt. Deverieux Shields surrendered to the Marinduque Revolutionary Forces led by Col. Maximo Abad. They were held captive for a month and were released on October 14, 1900 upon orders from the Revolutionary Government in Cavite.” – says the Battle of Pulang Lupa Historical Park Signage in Poctoy, Torrijos, Marinduque, courtesy of the Department of Tourism, LGU Torrijos and Philippine Tourism Authority. This battle has been commemorated from the early 60s when September 13 was first declared as ”Marinduque Day” under the administration of Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, then by President Ferdinand E. Marcos who issued a proclamation referring to it also as “Marinduque Day”. It was only during the term of President Corazon C. Aquino when a law was passed (RA 6702) in 1988 declaring September 13 of every year as “Battle of Pulang Lupa Day”. Up to the present, no study has been made on the origin of “Pulang Lupa” as a place-name. Stories, however, are being told that it refers to pulang lupa, red soil that could be found in the mountain range of Kambindol, (apparently an older name of the same mountain range that could be Teatro Balangaw group retraced to older maps). Other stories attribute the origin of Pulang Lupa to that bloody battle that transpired there in 1900. But where „there'? That a historical marker stands at the site of that famous episode in local history, a site even listed as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute, is not evidence.
Not evidence that the battle happened atop that rugged mountain which offers a great panoramic view of the north-eastern and south-eastern sections of Marinduque. All accounts of the battle (and there are numerous accounts now available from primary sources) contradict that repeated claim, as well as books with stories of that battle written by some of the world‟s foremost historians. „Pulang Lupa‟ as a place-name does not appear in eyewitness reports, soldier‟s diaries, nor in U.S. military records relating to that war, nor in newspaper articles published in the U.S. during that period. The name appears, however, in a very brief account of the battle written by local historian, Ramon Madrigal, in 1963. A highly informative website that www.ulongbeach.com Battle of Pulang contains signifi- Lupa Page cant literature, first-hand accounts and photos of the American engagement in Marinduque available in U.S. libraries, that have been researched and compiled by a Marinduque history and culture enthusiast, Curt Shepard and his Filipina wife Dalia, could be found on www.ulongbeach.com. This will prove invaluable to historical researchers and may prompt a desire to know more. In an earlier post e n t i t l e d „Pulang Lupa: Scanning Masaguisi t h i s time‟ (Sept. 11, 2010), I pointed out a location mentioned in primary sources that could not be the „battle site‟ as we have been made to believe all these years. A place where, as described by Capt. Shields, he fell seriously wounded. This was a rice field near Masaguisi (written by the Americans as Massiquisie), where renewed enemy fire forced the Americans to take cover behind paddy dikes. By his own account, Shields and his companions had to march in a brook and run over an extremely rocky bed. Then he took a direction that led to Masaguisi. There he was again wounded with the bullet passing through his neck and mouth, falling partly in a small stream until he was lifted out of the water. Carried by his men about two hundred yards farther until they were captured by the local forces. Some
(Turn to page 10)
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SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2012
Ay...Marinduque Ni: NOEL V. MAGTURO
NCCA approves teaching of 'Kalutang' in Marinduque MARINDUQUE (PIA) -- National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Felipe de Leon signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Governor Carmencita O. Reyes for the teaching of a musical instrument called „Kalutang.‟ The project, initiated by Provincial Travel and Tourism Officer (PTT) Dindo Asuncion and coordinated by Erwin Penafiel, is designed to ensure the continuity of Kalutang‟s intangible heritage and to perpetuate the skills of playing Kalutang for the next generation. De Leon said that the preservation of Kalutang in the province must be given highest priority because if failed to do so, the province will be „culturally poor.‟ The original and only “Kalutang” band under the tutelage of Maestro Tirso Serdena from Gasan is now on its senior years. Reyes and Asuncion made necessary arrangements with Officer-In-ChargeSchools Division Superintendent Terresita Bacudo for the teaching of Kalutang to their teachers. Kalutang, an early type of musical instrument in Marinduque, is composed of graduated sets of softwood bars made from Kwatingan tree which is carefully cut to their desired sizes and specifications. The Kwatingan softwood bar when strike together, produce notes of definite pitches and of tonal quality that remotely resembles a cross between an unsustained marimba and castanets. (Mayda Lagran/Marinduque Coffee Table Book)
Photos by: Erwin Penafiel
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SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2012
‘ISLANG ANGAT SA IBA!’ ni ELI J. OBLIGACION
Pagdating sa temang cultural identity maghanap ka na ng isa sa 7,107 na mga pulo sa Pilipinas na hihigit pa sa angkin ng kulturang-Marinduque. Ano ang panama ng mga beaches ng Marinduque kung ihahambing sa mga dalampasigan ng Puerto Galera sa Oriental Mindoro o iba‟t-ibang lugar sa Puerto Princesa at el Nido sa Palawan? Ano ang laban ng Marinduque sa mga Natural Parks ng lahat ng mga islanglalawigang MIMAROPA gayong sa ngayon wala naman tayong deklarado nang protected areas dito? Maigi pa nga sa Romblon may Mt. Guiting-Guiting Natural Park (2,058 metro ang taas ng bundok), na protektado ng mga naninirahan katulad ng sa Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park at Aruyan-Sablayan Forest Reservation sa Mindoro, kabundukan ng Mt. Calavite, Mt. Halcon at Mt. Eagle Pass sa kalawakan din ng Mindoro Island. Ihanay mo nga ang Bathala Cave sa St. Paul Subterranean Park ng Puerto Princesa at Tabon Caves complex at tingnan kung sino ang manliliit. Huwag ka nang magpumilit pang maghanap ng mga spectacular landscapes, dahil sa isang napakaliit na islanglalawigan ay hindi ka halos makakakita noon.
Kapag sa palagay mo‟y may nakita ka na, tiyak na personal na desisyon mo lamang iyon, pilit at may kahirapang papaniwalain ang sino man. Kung ihahambing sa gamot, ang palasak na tawag doon ay mga tanawing generic sa Pilipinas. Huwag nang ipilit na maihanay iyon sa Chocolate Hills, Banawe Rice Terraces, Mayon Volcano, Lake Taal, Boracay, at iba pa. Mayroon namang nagsasabi na ang nagawang pagsira sa kalikasan ng Marinduque ng Marcopper mines ay spectacular. Baka gumuho naman dito ang huntahan. Subalit kapag nalihis naman sa kultura ang usapan, tiyak na may mapupuntahang mas malayo ang hantungan ng pag-uusap. Sangkatutak na di hamak ang maiibahagi ng Marinduque tungkol dito. Dito, angat ang islang-lalawigan. Ito ang susubukan nating tumbukin. MGA BANYAGA Hindi kagulat-gulat na ang unang nakakapansin nito ay mga tagalabas ng isla, lalo na ang mga banyaga, at tila ang huling nakakaalam ay mismong mga tagarito. Ganoon naman talaga sa buhay. Kung ano
newstourismworld.blogspot.com “Marinduque has much more, a ang nakasanayan mo na ay lot more things to offer than Basiyempre hindi na kapansinli”. Kahit na isama pa raw ang pansin sa iyo. mga first-class hotels na mataKasing natural ng pag- tagpuan sa Bali, kaya raw lutitimpla mo ng kape sa umaga, nurin ang mga iyon ng mga hindi kumbaga. Awtomatikong gina- makakalimutang kahit-saglit gawa at nakikita mo at hindi na man lamang na makabuluhang pinagtutuunan ng pansin. pakikisalamuha sa mga MarinduIlang mga banyaga na ang queño. Dahil naiiba nga ang kulnakapaghambing sa pamumu- tura dito. hay at galaw din ng mga nanini- Hindi ba pambobola lamang ito? r a h a n s a i s a n g Kung susuriin, iba-iba pinagkakaguluhang isla sa namang sadya ang kulturang buong mundo at ni hindi pinag- Pilipino mula Batanes hanggang sasawaan hanggang sa kasalu- Jolo. Resulta ito ng pakikisalkuyan – ang Bali sa Indonesia. amuha sa mahabang panahon ng Wala raw kuwenta ang mga mga orihinal na katutubong Mabeaches sa Bali kung ihahamb- lay-Polynesian sa mga Intsik, ing sa iba pang beaches sa Bumbay at Muslim bago pa man ibang panig ng mundo. Ni hindi dumating ang mga Kastila. Manaman daw ganoon kagila- kalahi ang mga katutubo at gilalas ang mga templo roon. malalim ang pinanggagalingan Isa lamang daw ang pinupun- ng respeto nila sa kanilang mga tahan ng mga bisita doon mula nakatatanda. Nananalaytay na sa sa iba‟t-ibang panig ng daigdig dugo iyon. Sila, sa loob ng at ito‟y ang kanilang hindi maraming siglo (kunwari ay hinnaaapektuhan, hindi nagbago, at di mo alam), ay mga animistang tila hindi na mababagong pa- naniniwala sa iba‟t-ibang espirmumuhay. Dito kitang-kita ang itong nasa paligid. Nililok mula kanilang cultural identity. sa mga kahoy ang kanilang mga PARANG BALI. Ang ganito upang sila ay bigyan ng pagkakaroon ng karanasang gabay sa iba‟t-ibang gawain, kaayaaya at kakaiba sa pama- maging hanggang kamatayan. magitan lamang ng pakikisalSAGAD SA BUTO. amuha sa mga Balinese ang Bagamat naipakilala ng mga binabalik-balikan dito ng mga Kastila ang bagong relihiyong bisita. Hindi naman naiiba ito Katolisismo, hindi naman sa mga rason na sinasabi mismo naglaho ang mga dating panining mga Pilipinong taga-labas walang sagad sa buto ng mga ng isla natin at lalo na ng mga katutubo. Nang dumating ang banyagang balik-masok na dito mga Kanong mananakop naging sa Marinduque. Mula sa bibig palamuti lamang sa kaisipang ng mga nasanay na o namalagi Pilipino ang mga dala-dala ng matagal sa Bali, iisa ang nilang makabagong aliwan. kanilang sinasabi: (Sundan sa pahina 5...) mapsir.com
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SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2012 Islang angat mula sa pahina 4.. Nanatiling bukod tangi ang kaugalian ng mga Pilipino. Makikita ito sa ating mga kuwentong katutubo, mga kaugalian at tradisyong ginagawa hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Higit na makikita ito sa ating naiiba at sariling pamumuhay. ISLA KASI. Sa katunayan, higit na makikita ito sa mga islang -lalawigan. Hindi maitatanggi na sa loob ng maraming siglo ay limitado lamang sa mga mangangalakal, mangingisda at ilang mga adbenturero o misyonaryo ang bumiyahe sa malawak na karagatang upang makarating sa mga isla. Dahil sa ganitong sitwasyong, ang pamumuhay ng mga taong nakatira sa mga pulo ay masasabing buo pa rin sa kalahatan ang kultura, kung ihahambing sa mga taga-ibang mga lugal na madaling marating sa pamamagitan ng kabayo, kalesa o sa paglalakad lamang. Sapagkat ang pakikisalamuha at pakikipagtalastasan sa mga taga –labas ng kapuluan ay may hangganan. Kaya‟t masasabing ang kaisipan, kaugalian at pamumuhay ng mga taga-isla ay mas malapit sa likas nilang pagkatao, kung gayon. Dito na lumilitaw at mapapansin ang kaibahang sadya ng buhay sa pulo, ang kaisipan, kaugalian at pamumuhay ng mga taga-isla. Hindi man naisip ng kusa, subalit para sa mga taga rito, sa kanilang daigdig mistulang umiinog ang mundo. Sa gan-
kalagayan nailuwal ng higit na maliwanag ang pagkikilala sa kaibahan ng kulturang Marinduqueño. MGA PAG-AARAL. Hindi aksidente na laging nangunguna sa listahan ng mga archaeologists ang isla ng Marinduque magmula ng mauso sa modernong kasaysayan ang sangay na ito ng pagaaral. Hindi nabigo ang unang naitalang ekspedisyon sa Pilipinas na isinagawa ni Alfred Marche, isang Pranses, noong 1879-1885 sa yamang-pang-archeology na nasilayan sa Marinduque taong 1881. Dito niya natagpuan ang nag-iisang imahen ng anito na gamit ng mga pre-colonial Tagalog, sinaunang ginto, samot-saring mga katutubong kagamitan noong panahon pa ni Isabel. Si H. Otley Beyer, isang kilalang propesor sa anthropology na Amerikano naman ay nagtagumpay din sa pagkalap ng mga katutubong alamat, mga katutubong awit, mga bugtong, mga paniniwala, mga tradisyon at kaugalian ng mga Marinduqueño. Nagsagawa si Beyer ng pamamaraan sa pagdokumento ng mga ito upang matulungan ng higit ng mga iskolar sa hinaharap kung ano man ang kanilang pagiging konklusyon tungkol sa paglaganap ng mga alamat, katutubong awit, bugtong, paniniwala, tradisyon at mga kaugaliang Marinduque, palabas ng pulo patungong hilaga. Isalarawan na lamang natin sa isip. SALITA. Hindi malinaw kung may kinalaman naman
Atty. Roberto Renido Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
sa pananaliksik na pinagtiyagaan ni Beyer ang isinagawang imbestigasyon ni Cecilio Lopez, isang linguist tungkol sa pinag-ugatan ng salitang Tagalog. Tinukoy sa kanyang masusing pag-aaral noong 1923, ang salitang Tagalog sa Boac, Marinduque at tila map a n ga ha s a n g ka n yan g konklusyon, bagamat hanggang ngayon ay walang pang naitalang naglakas-loob na pabiro man o seryosong hindi sumang-ayon dito: “Ang Boac Tagalog ay mas simple, mas imperpektong porma ng kanyang sariling mas mataas na ang inunlad na pananalita (ang standard Tagalog)..Subalit hindi natin dapat na kalimutan na, bagamat ang mga ito‟y naiiba ang sinundang pagunlad, ang mga salitang probinsiyang ito ang orihinal na pinagugatan, o kasama sa pinag-ugatan, kung saan ang modernong pambansang pananalita ay umusbong, at sa mga ito, kung ganoon, maaaring matagpuan ang mga labi ng mga sinaunang pananalita ng
ating mga ninuno, mga labing napaglimutan nang ating modernong pananalita, bagama‟t nananatiling napakahalaga para sa mag-aaral ng mga wika.” FOX. Isa pa rin sa mga pangunahing arkeyolohikong Amerikano, si Robert Fox, sa tulong ng National Museum of the Philippines, ang nagsagawa noong dekada-60 ng sistimatikong pag-aaral sa mga artifacts na natagpuan sa mga kuweba ng Marinduque. Nakumpirma ang kahalagahan ng mga ito sa pag-aaral ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas sa panahong bago dumating ang mga mananakop. Kabanatang hindi pa rin naiisulat ng lubusan at may pagtatapos hanggang ngayon. Ang ilang labi ng kanyang mga nadiskubre ay matatagpuan sa Marinduque Branch ng National Museum sa Boac kasama ang ilang pira-pirasong artifacts. ROCES. Marahil ay lingid naman sa kaalaman ng maraming kabataan sa kasalukuyan na pumailanlang Sundan sa pahina 6...
6 Islang angat mula sa pahina 5.. ang Marinduque noong dekada ‟60 rin sa pandaigdigang usapang pangkultura dahil sa „pagkakadiskubre‟ dito ng tradisyong Moryonan. Hanggang noong panahong iyon, ang moryonan lamang ang kinilalang nag-iisa at katangi-tanging tradisyong pangkultura sa buong Pilipinas na pinaggagamitan ng mascara. Si Alejandro Roces, kinilalang National Artist sa Panitikan noong nakaraang taon ang nagsagawa ng pag-aaral at pagpapakilala sa Moryonan (bagamat tinawag niya itong Moriones). Di na mabilang sa daliri ang mga lugal sa bansa na dito kumuha ng inspirasyon para magsagawa ng sarili nilang festival. KASILAG. Dekada ‟60 rin isinagawa sa ilalim ng pamamahala ni Lucresia Kasilag, N a tional Artist naman sa Musika, sa pakikipagtulungan ng Department of Education, ang pagpapalaganap ng bagong porma ng “putong”. Ito ang bersiyon na tuluyang naging popular na at inaawit sa kasulukuyan ng mga bata at matatatanda. Tinatayang higit sa walumpung bersiyon ng mga putong ang inawit sa iba‟t ibang panig ng Marinduque mula pa ng panahon ng kopong-kopong. Karamihan ay napaglimutan na at hindi na naisulat. Subali‟t walang duda na sa mga awit, indak, kasayhan o masidhing damdaming kakambal ng ritwal na ito masisilayan ang halimuyak at kabuuhan ng pagkatao ng mga taga Marinduque. Gumaling ka sa karamdaman, nakaligtas ka sa isang krisis, sinuwerte ka at ibig magpasalamat kay bathala, sasalubungin ang mga bagong bisita, magdiriwang ng isang masayang pesta? “Putong” ang sagot at wala ng iba. Sa nakatalang kasaysayan, ito ang pinakasinaunang porma ng katutubong teatro sa pulonglalawigan. MGA HIWAGA. 85% ng mga Pilipino ay mga kristyanong na isinasagawa ang pananampalataya sa katutubong pamama-
SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2012 kinalaman sa mga hiwaga at kababalaghan. Ang lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay ay may kaukulang paliwanag lalo na ang kamalasan, pagkakasakit, pagkabigo at mga aksidente kasama na ang mg a sa k u n a n g d ulo t mg kalikasan. Kung bakit ang maraming pananampalataya, mananaliksik at magaaral sa mga ganitong uri ng mga bagay ay nabibighani sa Marinduque ay sa kadahilanang tila palagian ding naghihintay lamang ng mga manononod at makikinig sa kanikanilang sariling paliwanag ang mga tagarito. Dahil sa yaman ng kulturang Maridukenyo na nakatali sa mahabang panahon ng katutubong paniniwala sa mga nakikita at hindi nakikita, pakikisalamuha sa mga estranghero, pagiging makalahi, buong loob at matagumpay na pakikipaghamok sa mga mananakop (ang matinding laban sa mga Kastila, Amerikano at Hapon ay nangangailangan pa ng panibagong panulat), pagkiling sa mga likhaing mga Gawain, pagawit at pagbubunyi sa buhay tuwi-tuwina, ang pagkamalikhain at pagkahilig sa mga sining, lahat ng ito ay natural na maging likas sa isipan at gawi ng mga taga-rito. Kapag nabigyan ng pagkakataon, pumapaimbulog ang kanilang talino ng higit sa karamihan, at apaw ang paghanga ng daigdig. ARTIST.Dugong Marindukenyo ang nanalaytay sa ilan lamang sa mga alagad ng sining tulad ni Eveyn Mandac ( dating kilala sa Europa bilang pangunahing Asyanong Diva), Rita Gomez ( premyadong aktres ng pelikulang Pilipino), Raymond Red (film maker na kinilala sa iba‟t ibang bansa), Ric Manrique Jr. (bantig na mangaawit ng mga kundiman sa buonng bansa), Aurora Sevilla at Marilou Sadiwa (dalawa sa mga tanyag na national beauties na naging mga artista din), Jonjon Briones (mas kilala sa London bilang Broadway star), at Padre Simeon Reginio (hindi lubos na kilala ang pangalan subalit ang kanyang daang-daan mga komposisyong hymno ay
liko sa bawat sulok ng mundo. MGA TANYAG. Sa pagguhit ng tadhana at paghugis ng pambansang kaisipan, pagbubuo ng pambansang polisiya o pagtulong sa kapwa, ay mababangit ang ilan lamang sa mga pangalan ng mga Marindukenyong sina Ricardo Paras Sr. (naging Supreme Court Justice); Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, (Arch bishop of Cebu); General Ricaredo Sarmiento, (naging PNP chief); Robert Aventajado; (naging presidential adviser on flagship project); Gen. Santiago Alino, Gen George Alino, Deped Director Saturnino R. Magturo, Edmundo Reyes, (naging Commissioner on Immigration and Deportation), Gen Alexander Aguirre, Dr. Fe del Mundo, (pioneer sa kalusugan ng mga ng mga bata). PANGKULTURANG TURISMO. Hindi na nga kailangang maghanap pa kung saan-saang sulok na maipagmamalaki pang mga bahagi nitong pulong hugis-puso. Wala sa kalawakan ng nasalanta ng mga lupain. Ilog at karagatan nito. Kundi sa misming mga taong dito‟y palagiang naninirahan. Mula sa mga nananahan sa pinkaliblib na mga lupain hanggang sa mga may kaingayang sentro ng kaunlaran. Sa kanila at sa angking kultura makikita ang kaibahan na
iba. May kabaguhan ang konsepto para sa ating bansa na tinatawag na “Pangkulturang Turismo”. Higit na magpupungaspungas ang mga mata ng mga Marindukenyo. Marahil sa mga kadahilainang una ng nabanggit. Sa maraming mga bansa lalao na sa Europa, ito ang isang katotohanan na tinatayang haligi ng industirya ng turismo, at tuluyang nagpapalago nito kung nanaisin. Sa loob ng nakaraang dalawang dekada, malayo na ang narati n g n g P ilip i na s sa pagpapakilala ng sarili bilang bansang katatagpuan ng pinaka magagandang isla sa daigdig. Sa 7,107 na mga pulo nito, alam na natin marahil sa ngayon kung alin dito ang pinakamahalaga, pinakamayaman sa tradisyon at kultura at pinaka ayaaya. Kung matatanggap ang payak na katotohanang ito ng maaga, higit na mapapaaga din ang ating pagunlad at pagpapaimbabaw sa pagpapayabong pa ng kulturang Marindukenyo. Subalit ito‟y bagay na pang islang polisiya, pampamayana desisyon kung saan lahat ay dapat lamang makialam. Hintayin ang pamumulaklak, pamumukadkad, ano pa man ang magaganap sa kasulukayang kapanahunan ng ating kulturang Marindukenyo, katulad ng sa awit ni Aiza, ‘Pagdating ng panahon’.
Town proper of Gasan, Marinduque
SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2012
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Anti-Aging is Sweetest News From Sweet Potato By Carlos J. Andam – VP PSciJourn Inc. Marinduque Chapter ANY PEOPLE WHO ARE BEAUTY CONSCIOUS the tops, but higher in the tops than in the roots and petioles. Yet, spent a lot of pesos in buying anti-aging pharmaceuti- all parts of the camote especially the leaves and tops contain procal preparations in their quest for staying youthfulness tein, lipids, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and vitabut a recent discovery of a natural source of antioxdants mins A and C. They are relatively low in calories and have no fat. point out that one could just grow right in the backyard a source They are rich in betawith no centavo to spend at all. This refers to a crop which is of- carotene, having five tentimes frowned upon by many people because it has been brand- times the recommended ed as the “poor man‟s crop”, yet, associated with dullness as an daily allowance of Vitold story told and retold by many to “go home and plant camote” amin A in one sweet to a child who was not able to answer the question of a teacher in potato, as well as loadschool. Probably, this discovery of outmost importance in the ed with potassium. human diet would turn around sweet potatoes‟ stature in the con- These nutrients help to suming public. protect against heart This development is contained in a report from the Food attack and stroke, and and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC) in Taiwan in coopera- the potassium helps tion with the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of South maintain fluid and elecKorea which indicates that sweet potato or camote as it is known trolyte balance in the body cells, as well as normal heart function locally contains antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid, isochloro- and blood pressure. genic acid and caffeic acid. In the Philippines, recent studies on sweet potato, according While camote is one of the most nutritious foods in nature, to a Philippine Information Agency (PIA) news dispatch in and in fact, it has been said time and again that it is a complete Tacloban City, reveal that there are some unique root storage profood because of its richness in nutritional contents, it is quite diffi- teins with potent antioxidant effects. In one study, these proteins cult to make its servings popular in the diet especially among the had one-third the antioxidant activity of glutathione, one of the youngsters. With this discovery, it is hoped that its lowly stature body‟s most impressive internally produced antioxidants. in the diet may be elevated to a health and beauty food that is so Furthermore, the report revealed that as an excellent source useful in maintaining not only a healthy but young and beautiful of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and a very good source body. Beauty and anti-aging products available in the market, of vitamin C, sweet potatoes have healing properties as an antioxinever mind if they are effective or not, though expensive, are still dant food. Both beta-carotene and vitamin C are very powerful bought by age-conscious people. People often want to be younger antioxidants that work in the body to eliminate free radicals. Theafter they reach thirty so it is no surprise if they buy anything they se free radicals damage cells and cell membranes and are associathave heard of from other people to arrest the aging process. After ed with the development of conditions like atherosclerosis, diabetall, to sustain beauty is to stay young and to stay young sustains ic heart disease, and colon cancer. This may explain why betabeauty in the human body. carotene and vitamin C have both been shown to be helpful in preThis modern day discovery of an antioxidant source from a venting these conditions. plant that is easy to grow but dislike by many could be also the Finally, it concluded with a good news for smokers. “If you key to live a life with less medicine. or someone you love is a smoker, or if you are frequently exposed Antioxidants which are mostly present in fruits and vegeta- to second hand smoke, then making vitamin A-rich foods, such as bles are phytochemicals that neutralize or counterbalance the free sweet potatoes, part of your healthy way of eating, may save your radicals generated by the body during normal metabolism. life, suggests research conducted at Kansas State University.” On the other hand, free radicals are the most viscious and toxic by-products of HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY !! metabolism. When these are not neutralized, they can travel through the body cells, disrupting the structures of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and cause cell damages. These damages are believed to contribute to aging and Marinduque Province degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cataract, and the like. The antioxidants in camote are higher in their leaves than in
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SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2012 CA-
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan(PIA) -- The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has concluded the bidding of two contracts worth P135.7 million for the rehabilitation and improvement of the San Vicente Airport in northern Palawan. In his last State of the Nation Address, President Aquino mentioned San Vicente Airport as one of the seven airports to be upgraded this year. The upgrading of the airport will support the growth of tourism and commerce in the area. San Vicente which is situated in the northwest of mainland Palawan is famous for its white sand beaches foremost of which is the 14-kilometer long stretch in Barangay Alimanguan and Port Barton. The first contract which was allotted P62.72 million in the 2011 budget includes the construction of a 1,350 sq m passenger terminal building, runway extension with slope protection, hill obstruction removal, construction of a fire station building and construction of an elevated 2,500-gallon water tank. This contract was bid out in July with Brostan Construction and Development offering the lowest bid at P50.16 million among six bidders that participated in the project auction. The second contract with funding under the 2012 budget costs P72.35 million. It includes a runway extension 150 meters long and 30 meters wide, a 19,670 sq m vehicular parking area, security fence, concrete hollow block perimeter fence, drainage system, hill obstruction removal and installation of two pedestrian and vehicular gates. The deadline and the opening of the bids for the second contract was held yesterday. Both contracts will have a timetable of 360 calendar days. Constructions on both contracts are expected to start by the last quarter of the year. (VSM/TBO -PIA-Palawan)
ROMBLON, Romblon (PIA) -- Magsasagawa ng consultative forum sa ika-12 ng Setyembre ang National Statistics Office (NSO)-Romblon bilang paghahanda sa gagawing Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF) sa Pebrero 2013. Ipinatatawag sa nakatakdang magpulong ang lahat ng 17 Municipal Agriculture Officers (MAO), Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Presidents ng probinsya, Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO) at lahat ng mga stakeholders. Ang consultative forum ay gaganapin sa NSO, Multi-Purpose Building, Barangay Capaclan, Romblon, Romblon. Sabi ni Provincial Statistics Officer Abraham F. Fabicon, ang 2012 CAF ay sabay-sabay na isasagawa sa lahat ng mga rehiyon at mga lalawigan sa buong Pilipinas sa Pebrero 2013. Aniya, ang epektibong bunga at tagumpay ng survey na ito ay nakasalalay sa makatotohanan at lehitimong impormasyong makakalap sa mga respondents, gaya ng mga nagmamay-ari ng bukirin, mga magsasaka, mga nag-aalaga ng hayop at mga namamalakaya sa dagat o mangingisda. Layunin ng isasagawang consultative forum ng NSO ay upang hingin ang kooperasyon ng mga inimbitahang indibidwal sapagkat malaki ang kanilang maitutulong sa ahensiya sa pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon sa kani-kanilang nasasakupan. Malaking ambag, ani Fabicon, sa kanilang tanggapan ang tulong ng mga Punong Barangay at MAO para maipaliwanag ng maayos sa mga stakeholders ang kahalagahan ng kanilang partisipasyon sa naturang survey upang lubos na maunawaan ng mga stakekeholders ang kahalagahan ng tunay at napapanahong estadistika. Ang resulta ng survey ay mahalaga hindi lamang para sa pamahalaan kundi pati na rin sa mga pribadong sektor, mga mag-aaral na nangangailangan ng datos at maging sa hanay ng mga mamamayan upang magamit sa pagpaplano ng isang proyekto at pagpapatupad ng mga programa ng ating pamahalaan. (TBO/DMPIA4B Romblon)
LAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- The 48-MW wind power project in this province, said to be the biggest of such undertaking so far in the country, is set for ground breaking on September 7 at Puerto Galera. This was announced recently by Oriental Mindoro First District Congressman Rodolfo G. Valencia as he disclosed that the three-phased project, called the 48-MW Wind Energy Power System (WEPS) is worth P2 billion per component or has a total cost of P6 billion. The second of its kind in the Philippines and a brainchild of Valencia, who is acknowledged as the “father of renewable energy in Oriental Mindoro,” the said project will be conducive for expanding business and tourism, manufacturing, and other industries, thereby improving the economy of the whole province. It is also designed and capable of generating 16 megawatts of electric power and is touted to be the biggest wind power project in the country. Among the expected guest in the event are Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Luca Fornari, Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso V. Umali Jr., Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali of the second district of the province, Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras and representatives from Italian power firm CMC Asia Inc. led by its chairman, Engr. Armando de Rossi, who is also the chief executive officer of the project owner-developer Philippine Hybrid Energy System Inc. (PHESI). Also expected to grace the event are representatives from the Spanish contracting firm Gamesa Eolica S.L. Unipersonal, PHESI Chief Operating Officer Nicky Villaseñor, officers of Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO), foreign and local investors and selected local government units. The project‟s facility site in the village of Baclayan, overlooking Puerto Galera‟s scenic resorts and coves, has an area of 1,296 ha located within the Department of Energy-approved Renewable Energy Service Contract (RESC), approximately six km from the interconnection point of the National Power Corp.-Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG) 69 KV Mindoro Grid. WEPS will start official commercial operations on or before 2015. The project is a component of the power development program supported by the Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Oriental Mindoro. Valencia said aside from this project, they have identified energy power renewable sources in this island province which are hydro, wind and geothermal, with an estimated total or combined generating capacity of 380 MW. He added that 35 identified waterfalls in the province are being studied. This development on power in the province is strengthened by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), approval and inclusion in its Transmission Development Plan of the Batangas-Mindoro Interconnection Project (BMIP), which will link the island of Mindoro to mainland Luzon through the submarine power cable. It has now pending application in the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to start development. (LBR/ JRM/LTC-PIA4B/OrMin)
SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2012
9 MSC Universityhood update
DOST’s NCC Team installs Information System Software in Marinduque State College National Computer Center (NCC), Information and Communication Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) successfully installed the NCC-developed Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) Software Package for Marinduque State College (MSC)‟s Human Resource Management computerization requirements, recently. The three-day installation was facilitated by NCC Team experts-Ms. Grace Martha T. Amberong, Ms. Delia E. Basada and Mr. Ruben P. Canto. “It is one way of the institution for immediate access of information and systematized documents of the employees (Teaching & Non-Teaching Personnel) of the College,” MSC President Dr. Romulo H. Malvar said. With the technical assistance and services of NCC, the designed integrated system enables MSC to achieve operational efficiency and effectiveness in its administrative systems and computerization efforts in the Human Resource Management Office. NCC team conducted an executive orientation/user‟s training to those MSC operating personnel to ensure management commitment and support in the implementation of the said software package project.MSC on the other hand, paid a total amount of Seventy Thousand (P70,000.00) Pesos for the cost of user‟s training, software installation, assistance of NCC Team in data conversion, operational assistance, professional service fee and the like. The installation of NCC-developed HRMIS Software Package is provided on an “as is basis” (as originally designed). It was installed under the Windows-based operating environment using hardware, software and defined network specification. NCC assured that the functional requirements based on the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Commission on Audit (COA) rulings are performed by the said software package. National Computer Center (NCC) is the leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) advocate in the government that provides necessary environment for the diffusion and use of IT in missions critical functions, governance, development, administration, public services delivery, resource generation and general office productivity. MSC is looking forward for extension programs with NCC and more new technology to all its facilities to attain excellence in the service to its clientele. (Jofel Joyce Lancion, MSC-PIPRU)
House Bill No. 04457 introduced by Cong. Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco in March 2011, seeking the conversion of the Marinduque State College including its satellite campuses into a state university to be known as Marinduque State University (MSU), has undergone First and Second Cong. Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco Reading in Congress. A at the Committee hearing. committee hearing was conducted on August 28, 2012, by the Committee on Higher and Technical Education in the lower chamber where the bill was passed for calendaring of the same for Third Reading. The bill will then be filed in the Office of the Secretary, Senate of the Philippines where it will undergo the same procedures. In his earlier introduction of the bill, Cong. Velasco stated that since its establishment, Marinduque State College has developed as an institution of higher learning living up to its mission of providing quality, responsive and dynamic leadership in the areas of Education, Technology, Engineering, Fisheries, Culture, Arts and Sciences. Courses in Allied Medicine, Entrepreneurship, Communication and Tourism, and I n f o r mation Technology are now also offered by MSC in addition to Industrial Technology and Teacher Education. (Eli J. b Committee on Higher and Technical Education hear- O ing with Chairperson, Cong. Juan Edgardo M. Angara. ligacion)
MSC officials led by President, Dr. Romulo H. Malvar were present during the Committee hearing.
10 Battle...
SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2012 (from page2)
Hidden Falls in Marinduque Hinulugan Falls in Torrijos, Marinduque is located be t w e e n Brgy. Sabong and Sitio Kitay. It has a small rock cave at the side of the raven where water also enters.
Courtesy of Eli Obligacion “What began as a slow withdrawal quickly turned into a race down a rocky stream bed, as the Americans scrambled to escape the pincers that were moving to surround them, the beleaguered detachment entered a rice field near the barrio of Massiquisie” , (From American War Department Record).
To the point, here now comes a new publication, The Encyclopedia of the Spanish- American andPhilippine-American Wars: A Political, Social, and Military History – Spencer C. Tucker ABCCLIO. 2009. It is a book that covers the conflict between the U.S. and Spain “with a depth and breadth no other reference work can match”. BATTLE OF MASSIQUISIE Event Date: September 13, 1900 Excerpts: "In early September, the presence of the U.S. Navy (exSpanish) gunboat Villalobos gave Shields the opportunity to deploy his forces in Torrijos, located on Marinduque‟s southeastern coast. Ordering First Lieutenant M.H. Wilson and 41 soldiers by water to land on September 11 near Torrijos. There the Americans scattered a group of 20 guerillas and demolished their compound. "On September 13, Shields and his troops marched into the interior, intending to return to Santa Cruz. Abad then massed virtually his entire insurgent force of some 250 men with rifles and another 2,000 with bolos beside a vertical height overlooking the path. Shields led his detachment right into the trap.
More hidden falls could be found in the central Marinduque area, Magdumog -dumog Falls and Batingaw Falls in Tumagabok (Boac). With 4-wheel drive vehicles or mountain bikes, access to areas near these sites has been made possible with the construction and rehabilitation of the Boac-Torrijos Road project that cuts through interior Boac to Torrijos.
Following several hours of fighting, he ordered a withdrawal into a concealed gorge. But this soon became a dash through a rock-strewn stream as he and his men struggled to flee the insurgent flanking columns that were attempting a double envelopment. After withdrawing for more than 3 miles, the harassed Americans took cover in a rice paddy close to the town of Massiquisie; guerilla rifle fire compelled them to seek shelter behind paddy dikes. Shields was among the wounded. "With no other recourse, Shields surrendered his entire force. Four Americans died in the action, and all others were taken prisoners, 6 of them wounded. The Americans estimated that 30 insurgents had perished in the fight, but this figure was never verified. Following months of stealth, in less than a day of fighting Abad had eliminated a third of the U.S. force on Marinduque. "The Battle of Massiquisie prompted sharp reprisals from the Americans, who reinforced their garrison on the island and launched a number of stronger punitive raids, which did little to cripple guerilla activities." - RODNEY J. ROSS