Heart of the Philippines celebrates its 105h Reestablishment with “Isang Alab, Isang Marinduque” line-up of activities highlighting Sustainable and Creative Futures
Boac, Marinduque – In time for the annual “Araw ng Marinduque” festivities every February 21, since the pandemic in 2000, the island province would be celebrating its 105th reestablishment with a line-up of activities from February 20 to 23. Some of the highlight of the said commemoration of Marinduque’s foundation: Baliktanaw są Kasaysayan Forum, Isang Alab torch symbolic lighting, State of the Province Address (SOPA), Pusomoto: heart of the island circuit motoring adventure, Gawad Marinduqueño 2025 and Festival of Festivals with float parade.
The theme for this year’s milestone, “Isang Alab, Isang Marinduque” signifies the fire in each Marinduqueño’s heart for sustainable and creative futures. As with calendar of activities, build on this theme for the 105th reestablishment of Marinduque, by February 20, “Baliktanaw sa Kasaysayan” forum would have Prof. Patrich Henry Manguera, Asst. Prof. Emmanuel Jayson Bolata and Dr. Michael Charleston Chua as panelist with expected 1000 high and college students from the Department of Education, Marinduque State University and other higher education institution in the province. In addition to the first day, there would be an opening of Agri-tourism Trade fair and isang lab torch marathon.
Then on the day itself, Araw ng Marinduque on February 21, isang alab torch symbolic lighting would be conducted before the thanksgiving eucharistic celebration, wreath laying and flag raising. The main highlight of the day is the SOPA of Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. and Gawad Marinduqueño 2025. On the same day, the pusomoto heart of the island circuit motoring adventure would kick-off.
Gawad Marinduqueño 2025 spotlights several sectors: public service, community service, law enforcement, education, culture and arts, development and social justice, business and entrepreneurship, farm and livestock and fisheries, aquaculture. The previous Gawad Marinduqueño was reiterated during the centennial celebration last 2020 prior to the global pandemic of Covid19.
The third day of the 105th reestablishment of Marinduque would have the Festival of Festivals and float parade with fireworks display dubbed as Alab Night. Some of the featured festival from each towns are the following: Gasang-gasang festival of Gasan, Torrijos festival in Torrijos, Maalindog-Tubaan festival in Buenavista, Kangga Festival of Mogpog, Seafoods festival in Santa Cruz and Bila-Bila festival of Boac. Then the last day, February 23 there would be a moto exhibit and province wide motoring adventure.
Based on proclamation no. 798 s. 2025, Friday, February 21 is declared as special (non-working) day in the province of Marinduque. The island province was separated from Tayabas (Quezon) by virtue of Philippine Legislature Assembly act no. 2880 approved on February 21, 1920. Part of the Baliktanaw sa Kasaysayan Forum and Gov. Velasco Jr,’s SOPA, a video documentary would be exploring the political, economic and cultural dimensions of Marinduque’s reestablishment. # Randy T. Nobleza Ph.D.
