The provincial island of Marinduque is found in between Oriental Mindoro and Quezon Province at the Southern Part of Luzon. It is part of the Region IV-B provinces, along with (Occidental and Oriental) Mindoro, Romblon, and Palawan. Similar to the majority of the Philippines, the people of Marinduque use Tagalog as its main language, with hints of dialects from the nearby Bicol and Visayan provinces as well as from the locals themselves.
Marinduque is called "The Heart of the Philippines," as the shape of the provincial island is similar to that of a human heart. Its location in the arrangement of the archipelago is also similar to the anatomy of where the heart is in the human body.
History and archaeological findings
During the Spanish colonization in the late 1500s, Marinduque was part of the Batangas Province. Later on, it became part of the province of Mindoro. Marinduque only became a province of its own during the American colonization. Its first government was established in Boac, now known as the province’s capital town.[1]
Jagor Expedition
The pursuit for cultural discovery in Marinduque was pioneered by the German-Russian anthropologist Fedor Jagor in the 1860s when he discovered elongated skulls in one of the province’s caves. Similar skulls were also found in Cagraray and Albay. These were the very first findings of such skulls in the East, thus sparking interest in the West.[2]
Marche Expedition
The first systematic exploration in Marinduque was done by the French explorer, Antoine-Alfred Marche, in 1881. With the help of his allies and the locals, Marche explored the Isle of Grottos (Island of caves). During his explorations, numerous jars, dishes, figurines, golden jewelry, bones, coffins and ceramics were unearthed in several parts of the province. These findings came mostly from Boac, Islet Tres Reyes, Bathala Cave, and Gasan.[3] Most of the artefacts are currently contained in Musée du Quai Branly and Musée de L'Homme, both located in Paris,[4] while some are in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.[5]
Notable discoveries
One of his notable discoveries would be the wooden coffins excavated from a sepulchral cave in Marinduque. These coffins had carvings of crocodile images in its lids, similar to those found in Nosy Loapasana, Madagascar.[6]
Another would be his discovery of deformed skulls in the caves of Los Tres Reyes, Pamintaan and Macayan. These deformed skulls were similar to the ones discovered by Fedor Jagor in the 1860s. Such deformation in the skulls are a result of compression of the head, of a newborn child between two boards. This practice was done to make the head appear more elongated rather than round, and the forehead more flat, a feature considered as a “special mark of beauty” during the ancient times. Astoundingly, the same skull deformation was evident in those of ancient Mayan, Egyptian, and Incan people, despite not having any contact amongst each other.[2]
Marche’s further excavations were due to his "intoxication" when he excavated the Pamintaan Cave, a cave believed to be a burial site. In here, several antiques, varying from Chinese urns, vases, gold ornaments, and such, were excavated.
A publication of Alfred Marche’s expedition in Marinduque provides evidence for the Morionistic culture of the province during the past. According to this publication, the locals before were very superstitious about places that were yet to be explored. In line with this, they tried to stop Marche from going into the caves, for they feared that he would be eaten by the aswang. Thus, when he came out safely during the first explorations, they believed that he had an "anting-anting" (a pendant or charm) in hand that protected him from the "aswang".
Chinese Junk Shipwreck
In 1982, the National Museum and the Marine Archaeology Unlimited, Inc. headed an excavation of a shipwreck about 40m (130ft)| below the surface in the southwest coast of Marinduque. The site was discovered by a local fisherman who was able to retrieve many ceramic pieces even without any diving equipment in the said site.[7] It is believed that the ship was a Chinese trading galleon from the Ming dynasty. More than 1,100 pieces of artifacts from the site were collected, most of which are porcelain plates, jars, and stoneware[10]. The stoneware jars notably resembled the jars containing dragon designs excavated from the Pamintaan cave. Pinggan, the barangay closest to the shipwreck site, was allegedly named after the findings of the porcelain plates (pinggan- Filipino word for plate). A re-excavation was done years later in the middle of the Pinggan coast and Gaspar Island.[7]
San Isidro Cave and Subterranean River
A hidden cave with a subterranean river was recently discovered in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. The San Isidro cave system contained small waterfalls gushing from the rocks, stalactites and stalagmites of varied colors and shapes, freshwater shrimps, eels, swallows, and a king cobra that guards the entrance. The cave is yet to be discovered and excavated.[8]
Pilapil Cave
An excavation in Pilapil Cave was made by Alfredo E. Evangelista in 1961. In this excavation, local artefacts were associated with Sung and Yuan sherds. These archaeological records provide evidence for early Chinese contact in the Philippines.[9]
Beliefs and cultures
The present-day Marinduqueos are very rich in culture and artistry. Some of the traditions being performed today are already centuries old. The future of Marinduque would not have been the same without these "present-day artifacts".
Religion: Moriones Festival
The locals from Marinduque are very religious people. This can be observed in their festivities. Marinduque is mainly known because of its Moriones Festival, a week-long Lenten event. The term "Moriones" came from the word Morion which means masks. The main event of the festival is the re-enactment of the story of a Roman soldier named Longinus. It is said that Longinus was a Roman soldier with a blind eye who lived during the time of Jesus Christ. When Jesus was crucified at Golgotta, Longinus was tasked to pierce the ribs of Jesus with a spear to see if He is still alive. When he did this, blood and water spurted out and some went to his eyes. This caused his blind eye to heal and be able to see. When this miracle happened, he run and told everyone about this, and saying the Jesus Christ was really the Saviour. The emperor learned of this and ordered that Longinus be captured. The chase between the Roman soldier and Longinus began. Longinus was then captured and as punishment of blasphemy, Longinus was sentenced to death by having his head cut off. This tragic story first originated in the town of Mogpog, but later on spread to the other towns.
Morionism
Prior to the Spanish colonization, the natives of Marinduque had paganistic beliefs. Just as in other parts of the Philippines, belief in supernatural entities such as the anitos, aswangs, and such was likewise prevalent in the province. However, upon the arrival of the Spaniards, Morionism blended with their religious teachings, forming the belief that God is the creator of human beings.
Morionism centers on the principle that the soul is housed on a perishing, superficial body that must undergo physical and mental tortures in order to attain the purification and glorification of the soul.[10]
The existence of such culture is proven by the excavated Pastores (Marinduque anitos) in the Pamintaan Cave. Moreover, the culture documented in a publication on the Marche expedition (as discussed above) better explains Morionism.
Artistry and innovation
The Marinduqueños are very creative, resourceful and crafty. Each mask and armor of the Morions are self-made. In the town of Torrijos, the people are experts in traditional weaving of Buntal fibers into mats and wall decorations. They also create wonderful earthenware from swamp clay.
When tourists and balikbayans (locals coming home from outside the country) come to Marinduque, the people have a special welcoming celebration called "putong". The locals sing and dance, offer flowers, and place crowns on the heads of the guests. Then they shower each other with coins as a sign of blessing. This is accompanied with music coming from the guitar and sometimes from the kalutang, a wooden percussion instrument unique to Marinduque.
The province is also a place of delicacies, the most abundant of which are "kakanin" (delicacies made from rice). Marinduque is known for its arrowroot cookies and bibingkas.
Natural wonders
A journey to Marinduque would not be complete without a visit to the many natural wonders of the province. Marinduque is said to be the Butterfly Capital of the Philippines. Many of the butterfly farms can be found in the town of Gasan. (Gasan was named after the shell "gasang-gasang" which a shell found in the riverside.)
Caves are also scattered throughout the province. The Bathala Cave houses bats and pythons, as well as beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Other caves are Duyay Cave, Talamban Cave, Tarug Cave, Talao Caves, and many more unexplored and undocumented caves.
The province also houses many falls, to name a few: Ginaras Falls, Kabugsakan Falls, and Norada Falls.
Surrounding the mainland are other islands: Tres Reyes Islands, the Polo, Maniwaya, and Mongpong Islets, Natangco Islet, Salomague Island. Some islands, like the Gaspar Island of the Tres Reyes Islands, have white sand beaches. But if the thought of traveling by boat is scary, there is still white sand beach in Torrijos called the Poctoy White Beach.
Marinduque also has an inactive volcano in it, named Mt. Malindig, and is said to be the highest peak of Marinduque. Near Mt. Malindig, natural hot springs can be found. One of these is the Malbog Hot Springs and is said to be able to cure certain diseases, in spite of its foul smell.
Marinduque, officially the Province of Marinduque, is an island province in the Philippines located in Southwestern Tagalog Region or Mimaropa, formerly designated as Region IV-B. Its capital is the municipality of Boac. Marinduque lies between Tayabas Bay to the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is west of the Bondoc Peninsula of Quezon province; east of Mindoro Island; and north of the island province of Romblon. Some parts of the Verde Island Passage, the center of the center of world's marine biodiversity and a protected marine area, are also within Marinduque's provincial waters.
Masbate, officially the Province of Masbate, is an island province in the Philippines located near the midsection of the nation's archipelago. Its provincial capital is Masbate City. The province consists of three major islands: Masbate, Ticao and Burias.
Mimaropa, officially the Southwestern Tagalog Region, is an administrative region in the Philippines. It is one of two regions in the country having no land border with another region. The name is an acronym combination of its constituent provinces: Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.
Maitum, officially the Municipality of Maitum, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Sarangani, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 44,185 people.
Boac, officially the Municipality of Boac, is a 1st class municipality and capital of the province of Marinduque, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 57,283 people making the most populous town in Marinduque.
Gasan, officially the Municipality of Gasan, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Marinduque, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 36,197 people.
Catanauan, officially the Municipality of Catanauan, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 72,752 people.
The Tabon Caves is a cave system located in Lipuun Point, Quezon, Palawan in the Philippines. Dubbed as the country's "cradle of civilization", it is a site of archaeological importance due to the number of jar burials and prehistoric human remains found starting from the 1960s, most notably the Tabon Man. The system is a part of the Lipuun Point Reservation, which has been protected by the Philippine government as a museum reservation to protect the caves and its immediate vicinity from deforestation and to preserve the cultural artifacts present there.
The Manunggul Jar is a secondary burial jar excavated from a Neolithic burial site in the Manunggul cave of the Tabon Caves at Lipuun Point in Palawan, Philippines. It dates from 890–710 B.C. and the two prominent figures at the top handle of its cover represent the journey of the soul to the afterlife.
The Moriones is a lenten festival held annually on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Imperial Roman soldiers as interpreted by locals. The Moriones tradition has inspired the creation of other festivals in the Philippines where cultural practices is turned into street festivals.
Alfredo E. Evangelista was a Filipino archeologist and former director of the Anthropology division of the National Museum of the Philippines.
Lord Allan Jay Quinto Velasco is a Filipino politician and lawyer who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from October 12, 2020 to June 2022. He is concurrently serving as the Representative of Marinduque's lone district since 2016, and previously from 2010 to 2013. He previously served as the Marinduque chapter president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and Marinduque provincial administrator under Governor Jose Antonio Carrion.
Dewil Valley, located in the northernmost part of Palawan, an island province of the Philippines that is located in the Mimaropa region, is an archaeological site composed of thousands of artifacts and features. According to the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program, or UP-ASP, the closest settlement can be found in New Ibajay, which is covered by the town capital of El Nido, which is located around 9 km (5.6 mi) south-east of Dewil Valley. Physically it measures around 7 km (4.3 mi) long, and 4 km (2.5 mi) wide. It is in this place which the Ille Cave, one of the main archaeological sites, can be found. It is actually a network of 3 cave mouths located at its base. It has been discovered that this site in particular has been used and occupied by humans over multiple time periods.
The Kalanay Cave is a small cave located on the island of Masbate in central Philippines. The cave is located specifically at the northwest coast of the island within the municipality of Aroroy. The artifacts recovered from the site were similar to those found to the Sa Huynh culture of Southern Vietnam. The site is part of the "Sa Huynh-Kalanay Interaction Sphere" which was an Iron Age maritime trading network associated with the Austronesian peoples of the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, as well as most of northeastern Borneo and Southern Thailand. The type of pottery found in the site were dated 400 BC to AD 1500. The "Sa Huynh-Kalanay Interaction Sphere" is characterized by a remarkable continuity in trade goods, including decorated pottery and double-headed pendants and earrings known as lingling-o.
Local elections were held in the province of Marinduque on May 9, 2016, as part of the 2016 general election. Voters selected candidates for all local positions: a town mayor, vice mayor and town councilors, as well as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, a vice-governor, a governor and a representative for the lone district of Marinduque in the House of Representatives.
Tham An Mah, is an archaeological site located in the Luang Prabang Province of Laos. The site was initially excavated in 2010 by a joint team of the Middle Mekong Archaeological Project and the Department of Heritage of Laos. Perhaps most important is the site's status as one of the stone jar burial sites from iron age Laos, the most famous of which is the Plain of Jars. Test excavations in 2010 included two trenches. Finds from trench B included a circular stone disk, possibly made of limestone or a similar material. The initial reports listed the possibility that the disk represented a jar covering or grave marker similar to those found on the Plain of Jars. The B trench also included the remains of four pots, one of which was directly under the discovered disk and accompanied by loose remains. The single datable piece of material that has thus far been recorded was from the lowermost portion of the excavation and gave a date of c. 13,000, which could indicate an earlier site not recorded. The site also included a Buddhist painting on the cave walls that villagers believed was from the 1950s.
The archaeology of the Philippines is the study of past societies in the territory of the modern Republic of the Philippines, an island country in Southeast Asia, through material culture.
Philippine ceramics are mostly earthenware, pottery that has not been fired to the point of vitrification. Other types of pottery like tradeware and stoneware have been fired at high enough temperatures to vitrify. Earthenware Ceramics in the Philippines are mainly differentiated from Tradeware and stonewares by the materials used during the process and the temperature at which they are fired. Additionally, earthenware and stoneware pottery can generally be referred to as ceramics that are made with local materials, while tradeware ceramics can generally be referred to as ceramics that are made with non-local materials.
The history of archaeology in the Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, has been affected by many significant figures and the multiple chronologies associated with the type of artifacts and research conducted over the years.
Local elections were held in Marinduque on May 9, 2022, as part of the 2022 Philippine general election. Voters selected candidates for all local positions: a town mayor, vice mayor and town councilors, as well as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, a vice-governor, a governor and a representative for the province's at-large congressional district in the House of Representatives.
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