AGUNG”, The official newsletter of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), published the following article in its January-April 2010 issue:

CLASSIC SARSUWELA STAGED IN MARINDUQUE
By Maria Crisedna Magsumbol

For sometime the province of Marinduque has been trying to forge its cultural development. In 1998, it attempted to establish Sining Marinduque with the help of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and with representations from different sectors all over the province. Despite this effort, it died a natural death due to change in political leadership after elections. However, not all was lost as the municipality of Gasan established Gasan Culture and Arts Foundation (GASCUAF) in 2001. From then on, the municipality of Gasan became known as the cultural center of the province with cultural projects such as the Gasang Gasang Easter Festival. Meanwhile, the provincial government passed Provincial Ordinance No. 81 in 2009 declaring February 21 as Araw ng Marinduque, the date when representative Ricardo Paras of Marinduque proposed for the separation of Marinduque from Tayabas. Since the celebration is held in the month of February, the celebration is incorporated in their celebration of National Arts Month.

..more story @:
http://marinduquegov.blogspot.com/2010/08/agung-article-on-marinduque.html














Thanks to Mr. Eli Obligacion in promoting the importance and preservation of culture and traditions to access them in alleviating potential job resources that integrates tourism in the island. I had never known no one so far in battling against all odds for his passion to encourage more Marinduqueños to inspires them & the rest in improving their way of life.