HOBIE IN MARINDUQUE, MORIONES IN PANAGBENGA

Provincial Administrator, Atty. Allan Velasco, also chair of the provincial tourism council, extended an invitation to local hobie enthusiasts and the general public to witness the Marinduque sojourn of the Philippine Hobie Challenge 2009. The event will involve 15 competing Hobie, 16 sailing boats, a motor yacht ‘mother ship and 4 safety power boats. The fleet will also be supported by a rally fleet of 6-9 sailing yachts providing logistic, safety and communications support.

The fleet is expected to arrive mid-afternoon of Monday, February 9, off the coast of Pinggan (Gasan) depending on the prevailing wind, and departing the next day at 8:00 am.. Their next stop is Romblon, Sibuyan and Tablas and finish in Boracay.

This highly publicized spectacle has introduced many people from around the world to the wonders of the Philippine islands through print, photographs and films.

MORIONES JOINS “PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL”

Marinduque’s “Moriones” is expected to steal the show in this year’s “Panagbenga Festival” in Baguio City with a giant morion mask made up of fresh flowers dominating the official float sponsored by the provincial government. A provincial contingent wearing colorful morion garbs and masks will grace the float on Sunday, March 1. The Provincial Tourism Office led by Gerry Jamilla has extended an invitation to the six municipal governments to join the walking contingent following the Marinduque float.

Marinduque’s participation to this festival is expected to succeed in promoting Marinduque tourism, especially during the forthcoming Holy Week, now declared by Malacanang as a week-long holiday. The event will be covered by nationwide by the major television networks.

"ARAW NG MARINDUQUE" ORDINANCE

The SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN NG MARINDUQUE presided by Vice-Governor Tomas N. Pizarro has passed ORDINANCE NO. 81 declaring February 21 of every year as “ARAW NG MARINDUQUE” to commemorate the final establishment of the Province of Marinduque as an independent province through Act No. 2880 dated February 21, 1920, sponsored in the lower house by then representative Ricardo Paras, who later rose as chief justice of the Supreme Court.

The new odinance was authored by board member Yolando R. Querubin, Chair of the SP Committee on Tourism. Araw ng Marinduque celebration was started last year by the provincial government as part of Governor Jose Antonio N. Carrion's efforts "to incite and support the take off of a vibrant tourism, economic and social development"