Region IV-B

(MIMAROPA)

MIMAROPA is one of the regions of the

Philippines. It is one of two regions of the Philippines
having no land border with another region, Eastern
Visayas being the other, and is designated as Region
IV-B. The name is a portmanteau combining the
names of its provinces, which are: Occidental
Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon
and Palawan.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued

Executive Order 103 on May 17, 2002 which
subdivided the Southern Tagalog provinces which
comprised Region IV into two regions – Regions IV- A
and IV-B, to promote efficiency in the government, accelerate social and economic development
and improve public services. Region IV-A is now known as CALABARZON- which stands for the
provinces of CAvite, LAguna,BAtangas, Rizal and Quezon). Region IV-B on the other hand, is now
known as MIMAROPA which stands for the island provinces comprising the region - MIndoro
(Oriental and Occidental), MArinduque, Romblon and Palawan. EO103 also transferred the
province of Aurora to Region III in Central Luzon.

Occidental Mindoro 
(Filipino: Kanlurang Mindoro, "Western Mindoro"; Spanish: Mindoro Occidental) is a province of
the Philippines located in theMIMAROPA region in Luzon. "Home of the Indigenous Mangyans".
Its capital is Mamburao and occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro, on the west by
Apo East Pass, and on the south by the Mindoro Strait; Oriental Mindoro is at the eastern half.
The South China Sea is to the west of the province and Palawan is located to the southwest,
across Mindoro Strait. Batangas is to the north, separated by the Verde Island Passage.

Demographics
 Major languages spoken are Tagalog, Ilokano, Visaya, Kapampangan, Bikolano,
Mangyan, and other mainstream languages in the country. Occidental Mindoro is a cultural
melting pot, populated mostly by recent immigrants.

The indigenous people in the province are the Mangyans (Manguianes in Spanish,

Mañguianes in Old Tagalog), consisting of 7 distinct tribes. They occupy the interior, specially
the highlands. Mangyans have inhabited the island since pre-history. They are believed to have
originally travelled from Indonesia and settled down for good in the island.

Mangyan Poems
Poems in Buhid-Mangyan language

Poem #1

Gusto ko lamang kag si Inambay sa dalan

Kag managun latay

Sa batang kag managaytay
Pag-uli kaw sa balay kita ga araway
Gaamigos kita anay

Translation:
I want Inambay to stay only on the pathway

So we can roam freely in the woods

And when I reach home, you and I
Will not quarrel
And we could remain together

Poem #2

Kahoy-kahoy kot malago

Kabuyong-buyong sing ulo
Kaduyan-duyan sing damgu,
Dalikaw sa pagromedyu
Singhanmu kag sa balay barku
Anay umabut ka nimu.

Translation:
Like a tree overgrown with branches
My mind is full of turmoil
Though loaded with pain and grief
My dreams continually seek for an end,
Let it be known what I am on my way
Perchance you'll catch upwith me.
Oriental Mindoro 

(Filipino: Silangang Mindoro, "Eastern Mindoro"; Spanish: Mindoro Oriental) is a province of

the Philippines located in the island of Mindoro under MIMAROPA region in Luzon, about 140
km southwest of Manila. The province is bordered by the Verde Island Passage and the rest of
Batangas to the north, by Marinduque, Maestro del Ocampo Island, Tablas Strait and the rest of
Romblon to the east, by Semirara and the rest of Caluya Islands, Antique to the south, and by
Occidental Mindoro to the west. Calapan City, the only city in the island, is the provincial capital.

Oriental Mindoro is touted as the country's emerging eco-tourism destination. In 2005, the
Philippines was found to be the center of marine fish biodiversity and the home of the most
diverse marine ecosystem in the world. Most of the endemic species in the Philippines are found
in the Verde Island Passage between Mindoro island and the main island of Luzon. The passage
houses 2,983 individual species of algae, corals, crustaceans, mollusks, fishes, marine reptiles,
and marine mammals, based on a study conducted by scientists Carpenter and Springer in 2005.

Demographics

Based on the 2007 Census of Population, Oriental Mindoro has a population of

735,769 which makes it the most populous province in the region. The province is largely rural,
with 70% of the population engaged in agriculture and fishing and with only 30% living in urban
centers. Tagalog is widely spoken in the province. Other dialects spoken are Ilocano and
Cebuano. Strains of the Mangyan dialect spoken are Arayan, Alagnan, Buhid, Hanunoo, and
Tadyawan. Most of the population are of Roman Catholic stock.

The indigenous people of Oriental Mindoro are the Mangyans (Manguianes in Spanish,
Mañguianes in Old Tagalog), consisting of 7 distinct tribes. They occupy the interior, specially
the highlands. Mangyans have inhabited the island since pre-history. They are believed to have
originally traveled from Indonesia and settled down for good in the island.

Néstor Vicente Madali González

N.V.M. González was proclaimed National Artist of the Philippines in 1997. A teacher,
author, journalist and essayist, Gonzalez is one of the most widely recognized, anthologized and
closely studied among Filipino writers. His most notable works include the novels The Winds of
April, The Bamboo Dancers and A Season of Grace, short story collections Children of the Ash-
Covered Loam and The Bread of Salt and Other Stories and essay collections Work on the
Mountain and The Novel of Justice: Selected Essays. Gonzalez distinctively wrote of the Filipino
life, of the Filipino in the world.
Marinduque
(Filipino:Marinduke) Its capital is Boac. Marinduque lies between Tayabas Bay to the north and
Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is located south and west of Quezon, east of Mindoro, and north of
Romblon. Legend has it that the island of Marinduque was formed as a consequence of a tragic
love affair between two people: Mariin and Gatduke. Mariin's father, a local chieftain, did not
approve of this affair and ordered the beheading of Gatduke. Before this could be done, the
couple sailed out to sea and drowned themselves, forming the island now called Marinduque.

During the Spanish and early American occupations, Marinduque was part of the province
of Balayan (now Batangas) in the 16th century, Mindoro in the 17th century, and had a brief
period as an independent province in 1901, when the Americans arrived.

Geography

Marinduque is a heart-shaped island between Tayabas Bay in the north and Sibuyan

Sea to the south. It is separated from the Bondoc Peninsula in Quezon by the Mompog Pass.
Some of the smaller islands to the northeast are Maniuayan Island, Santa Cruz Island, and
Mompog Island. The highest peak in Marinduque is Mt. Malindig (formerly, Mt. Marlanga), a
potentially active volcano with an elevation of 1157 meters.

Demographics

Marinduqueños are said to be very hospitable in nature and are very welcoming. One
such custom reflecting this is putong, which is a custom of welcoming and honoring friends and
visitors. The honoree (or honorees) are seated and crowned with flowers while local women
dance and sing for them. Other well-wishers throw coins and flower petals for long life.
Marinduqueños are of Tagalog origin and speak Tagalog.

Hermenegildo Flores
Hermenegildo Flores wrote the first of this trilogy in Tagalog in 1888, with “Hibik ng
Filipinas sa Inang Espana”. At this time, Rizal was in London doing research for his annotations
on Morga's history of the Philippines. (Perceptions of the Past in Southeast Asia, ANthony Reid,
David Marr). "Hibik" is composed of 66 quatrains where the poet, speaking as an oppressed
daughter pours out his major grievance to Mother Spain – the abuses committed by the frailes,
friars.

Among others, the daughter complains:

“Sa bawat nasa mong kagaling-galingan,
ayaw ng prayleng ako'y makinabang,
sa mga anak ko'y ang ibig lamang
isip ay bulagin, ang bibig ay takpan”.

And she specifies:

“Sa pagpapalago ng kanilang yaman
bendita't bendisyon lamang ang puhunan,
induluhensiya't iba't ibang bahay
ng mga sagrado naman ang kalakal”.

On March 23, 1897, the date when Aguinaldo took his oath as President of the
revolutionary government, Flores convened the patriots of Mindoro and Marinduque in Sta.
Cruz “After mature deliberation, the patriots took the oath of loyalty and adherence to the cause
of the Revolution and Flores was elected governor of Mindoro and Marinduque”.

Romblon
The province consists of numerous islands sitting in the Sibuyan Sea. It lies south of
Marinduque and Quezon, east of Mindoro, north of Aklan and Capiz, and west of Masbate. The
three major islands are Romblon Island, Tablas Island, and Sibuyan Island. Its capital is the
municipality also named Romblon located in Romblon Island; they are near the centre of the
archipelago, and the most northern islands of the Visayan group, hence it belongs previously to
Western Visayas. The northern islands of the Archipelago, known as the Maghali group or Tres
Islas, form with the islands of Mindoro and Marinduque clear, deep channels, much frequented
by Filipino boats; the islands are indented with well sheltered inlets and bays. Romblon is the
country's leading producer of high-quality marble, comparable to that of Italy.

Demographics

The majority of the inhabitants of the province are Visayan; some Negritos are found on
the interior of Tablas and Carabao and Manguianes or May-as in Sibuyan mountains.

There are three distinct languages spoken as a native language by Romblon's

inhabitants; they are Romblomanon or Tiyad Ini including many variant Sibuyanon dialects,
Bantoanon or Asi, and Inunhan or Onhan. Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and English are also used
depending on the situation.

Most of the residents of Romblon today are descendants of Malay settlers, who are
believed to have arrived in the Philippines sometime in 1200 AD.

ALAS DOSE SA PARADAHAN

 POETRY (Asi Language)

By Abner Faminiano Translation by Ish Fabicon

Alas-dose sa paradahan it motorsiklo Noontime, in a parking lot

It kag Mahay nak Adlaw, nasagasaan for motorbikes - on Holy Week,
Kag usa sa mga salumpati sak ruto One of the pigeons was run over
On the spot where it used to peck
Ay pirmeng nagpapanimusimo
and nibble, crumbs of bird food..
It niumang mabubuntok.

It was for that reason

Kada ngani'y nagyas-ag that white feathers dispersed
Kag mga putting bayukag, nagrilag And the blood stained concrete
Sa silak ka rugong naglinta Seemingly glowed in red
Sa semento, it kag yanggam The mangled body of a bird...
Nak naligis.
Bekbek gathered the feathers
piece by piece -
Gingtitipon ni Bekbek kag mga balahibo
From a garbage heap
Halin sa likot ag kalat it karsada. Nagririlag
and those that were strewn
Kag nayusrok. Tibawon. Asida indi ngani'y on the street.
Nupay ida ra gihapon kag mga salumpating She was teary-eyed.
Adlaw-adlaw ay nagruruaw And why not?
Sa bunsuran it inra tinrahan. The pigeon was her own -
A daily visitor on the doorstep
Nagsilin - paukaw - halin sa kayungot of her store.

Nak waiting shed kag usang

There was a voice
Sa hitsura nimo'y bakasyubistang taga-Maynila:
nearest to a scream
"ineng, wag ka nang maiyak. Mababa kasi
From the "waiting shed"
Ang lipad nya!" Coming from one
Who seemingly looked
Ginur-anan ka nagging sabat like a vacationist from Manila:
It kag grupo sa waiting shed. Imaw rang "Miss, do not cry
Pag-arangkada it kag usang pahalinang honda. on a low-flying bird."
Nagyupar kag aso ag taybo
They who heard the remark
Nak nagpuling sa mata
laughed and laughed -
It kag adlaw nak kato sa kuwaresma.
They who were in the "waiting shed."
A Honda, gathered speed
and at full throttle
Sped away
In a cloud of smoke and dust.
blinding the eyes of those who sneered.
One hot summer day,
on Holy Week.
Palawan
Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of
total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to
Borneo in the southwest. It lies between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. The province is
named after its largest island, Palawan Island.

Palawan is composed of the long and narrow Palawan Island, plus a number of other
smaller islands surrounding the main island. The Calamianes Group of Islands, to the northwest
consists of Busuanga Island, Culion Island, and Coron Island. Durangan Island almost touches
the westernmost part of Palawan Island, while Balabac Island is located off the southern tip,
separated from Borneo by the Balabac Strait. In addition, Palawan covers the Cuyo Islands in the
Sulu Sea. The disputed Spratly Islands, located a few hundred kilometers to the west is
considered part of Palawan by the Philippines, and is locally called the Kalayaan Group of
Islands.

Palawan's almost 2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi) of irregular coastline are dotted with
roughly 1,780 islands and islets, rocky coves, and sugar-white sandy beaches. It also harbors a
vast stretch of virgin forests that carpet its chain of mountain ranges. The mountain heights
average 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in altitude, with the highest peak rising to 6,843 feet (2,086 m)[4] at
Mount Mantalingahan. The vast mountain areas are the source of valuable timber. The terrain is
a mix of coastal plain, craggy foothills, valley deltas, and heavy forest interspersed with riverine
arteries that serve as irrigation.

Demographics

The province is a melting pot of 87 different cultural groups and races who live together
in peace and harmony. Basically, its culture bears a strong influence from China, India and the
Middle East. Influx of migrants from other parts of the Philippines, particularly from Muslim
Mindanao, accounts for the high population growth rate of 3.98% annually. The native-born
Palaweños still predominate the populace. Eighteen percent is composed of cultural minority
groups such as the Tagbanua, Palawano, Batak, and Molbog.

There are 52 languages and dialects in the province, with Tagalog being spoken by 50
percent of the people. Other languages are Cuyonon (26.27 percent), Palawano (4.0 percent),
and Ilonggo (9.6 percent). English is also widely spoken.
Palawan Riddles

There are charming evenings, when all the hamlet children aged 7 to 11 gather in house and
frolic with the adolescents and adults. Palawan children enjoy a lot of freedom going at night
from house to house in search of delicacies and fun. But some evenings they spend answering
igum, riddles. An igum game compels one to think and reply as quick as one can.

Igum ni Upu samula:

Duwang raja
Kasdang lakbang
Anu atin? (Atin lungsud)

Grandfather's riddle starts:

Two plates
Same diameter
What is this? (This is universe)

Igum ni Upu samula:

Kaya magbaras baba
Atay ja magbaras
Anu atin? (Atin Kusyapi)

Grandfather's riddle starts:

His mouth does not speak
His heart is speaking
What is it? (This is the lute)

Igum refer to natural objects and phenomena, parts of the body, plants, animals, elements of
matter, objects and tools, musical instruments, and more abstract notions like the soul or myths.
Palawan Songs
Some songs are a communication within the context of a forbidden love:

kapal tumilatak
itut bulan sumilak
sapantun pandak-pandak

unuhun ku unuhun
hindi kita gunahun

mamaan lisak dalan

limpakan kung linduan
atay ku mangan-mangan

pikpik papikatan
silay tanduk lumisang
itut bulan sumimbang
bingayan gila dupang

dagat manilatak
babai pandak-pandak
pantun bulak-bulak

Far is the boat you ride on

The moon that shines
Pandak-pandak flower, you are small.

What shall I do, what shall I do?

I really do not want you!

Beside the bunga tree by the road

I planted a sign
My empty stomach makes noises.

Rat's ear grass, rat's ear grass

Her friends are known and famous
The moon that shines
Is driving me out of my mind.

The wave that fights the sea

Is like the short maiden
Is very much the pandak-pandak flower.