Boac, Marinduque

Boac
Municipality
Boac Business District view from Gov. D. Reyes Street
Seal
Nickname(s): Heartsland Center; The Capital Town
Motto: Service to God and People
Location in the province of Marinduque
Boac Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°27′N 121°50′E / 13.450°N 121.833°E / 13.450; 121.833Coordinates: 13°27′N 121°50′E / 13.450°N 121.833°E / 13.450; 121.833
Country	Philippines
Region	MIMAROPA
Province	Marinduque
District	Lone district of Marinduque
Founded	1579
Barangays	61
Government
• Mayor	Roberto Madla (Liberal)
• Vice Mayor	Dante Marquez (Liberal)
• Sangguniang Bayan	Councilors Sonny Paglinawan Benjamin Solomon I Luisito Laylay Aurelio Leva III Benildo Largado Rolando Larracas Miguel Magalang Carlos Palomares ABC President Bernadine E. Opis-Mercado SK Federation President vacant
Area[1]
• Municipality	212.70 km2 (82.12 sq mi)
• Urban	5.23 km2 (2.02 sq mi)
• Rural	207.47 km2 (80.10 sq mi)
Elevation	45 m (148 ft)
Population (2010)[2]
• Municipality	54,730±0
Demonym(s)	Boakeño
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	4900
Dialing code	42
Income class	1st class; partially urban
Website	www.boac.gov.ph

Boac River in Barangay Tumapon

Boac is a first-class municipality and capital of the province of Marinduque in the Philippines. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 54,730±0 people.^[2]

Boac is home to most of the province's commercial businesses. Barangays San Miguel, Murallon, and Mercado are the town's business district where the public market, medium-rise buildings, sports arena and Boac Town Arena, now Moriones Arena are. Meanwhile, Barangay Isok is home to the town's education district. Marinduque National High School, St. Mary's College of Marinduque, Don Luis Hidalgo Memorial School, Barangay Day Care Centers, Boac North District Office and the Division of Marinduque DepED Office is in Barangay Isok. The Municipal Building Hall is at Brgy. Tampus, adjacent is the Marinduque Museum at Brgy. Malusak.

The Marinduque Provincial Capitol is in Barangay Santol near the Dr. Damian Reyes Memorial Hospital (formerly Marinduque Provincial Hospital) and Camp Maximo Abad.

Etymology

The name Boac is derived from the Visayan word biak, which means "divided". The town had been divided in two by a river running from the eastern hinterland to the western plains down to the sea. The two were the Northern and the Southern areas.^[3]

Other records says that Boac came from the word "bulwak", which characterizes the tide caused by the rapids of the Boac River to its mouth in Brgy. Lupac and to the banks around the riverside barrios.

History

The first "visita" was established in 1580 and it was called "Monserrat de Marinduque" (now Boac) with Fray Alonzo Banol as its minister.

In 1621, the Spanish Jesuit missionaries brought the three-foot Marian image to Boac. So began the people's devotion to the image of the Virgin Mary.

In the mid-17th century, a group of Muslims in the Philippines called the Moro people felt threatened by the actions of the ruling Spanish government. They challenged the government by launching attacks on coastal Christian towns. This resulted in a raid along the shores of Barangay Laylay, near the Boac River.^[4]

During the siege, the neighbourhood people fled in panic and took refuge in the fortress church of Boac, which is now called Immaculate Conception Cathedral. In the meantime, all able-bodied men defended the outer walls of the church fortress against the attacks. Many Christians were killed and, by the third day of violence, those alive began to run short on food. The capture of the fortress seemed imminent.

The survivors prayed fervently at the throne of Mary, asking her to deliver them from their enemies. Legend says that suddenly there came a very strong storm, with torrential rain, thunder and lightning. At the very height of the storm, it is reported that the image of a beautiful lady with outstretched arms appeared standing on the top of the wall. Terror seized the Moros and they fled in confusion to their vinta boats. Thus, the Christians were saved from death by Mary.^[4]

Ever since this incident, the image of Mary has been honoured and given the title "Biglang Awa." To commemorate the miracle, a stone niche was built on the wall at the spot where Mary appeared. The old image brought by the Jesuits in Boac was placed there. There is a shrine at this location today.

In 1942, Boac was occupied by Japanese troops. In 1945, the Battle of Marinduque began and the American-Philippine Commonwealth troops landed in Boac after the war was built of the general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary from 1945 to 1946 station in this municipality.

Former Governor Carmencita Ongsiako Reyes built a larger-than-life-size image of the Virgin Mary in cement and placed in the seashore in Balanacan Port to welcome travelers to the island.^[4]

On May 10, 2008, the Diocese of Boac celebrated the 13th anniversary and the golden anniversary of the canonical coronation of Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang-Awa (1958–2008). Cebu Archbishop-Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Mogpog, Marinduque, officiated at the consecrated mass.

Geography

Barangays

Boac is politically subdivided into 61 barangays (administrative divisions):^[1]

Demographics

Religious institutions

• The Roman Catholic Church (Boac Cathedral (Pob.))
• Iglesia ni Cristo (Pob., Brgy. Caganhao)
• Assemblies of God (Brgy. Tampus (Pob.), Brgy. Duyay, Brgy. Puyog)
• IRM Church (Pob.)
• Jesus the Lord of Lords Church (Brgy. Cawit)
• Boac UNIDA Church (Pob.)
• Boac Gospel Church (Pob.)
• Baptist Churches

Economy

In the centre of town, the Boac Public Market is one of the town's landmarks. Vendors sell dry and wet products in four air-conditioned buildings. Transport terminals near the market carry goods to other barangays. It is considered to be the mini-supermarket of the province.

Boac Business District view from Mercader Street

The poblacion area is called as Boac Central Business District (BCBD). The newly constructed two-floor Town Market with about 100 stores is in the heart of the poblacion.

Local fast food chains and restaurants include GoodChow Food Express, La Concha Restaurant, Kusina sa Plaza and many more.

Several convenience and grocery stores includes CASHypermart, New Era, Jinang-Tan, Centro Market. Puregold Boac (Marinduque) Branch was scheduled to open in November 2015.

Tourist attractions

• Kabugsakan Falls in Brgy. Tugos
• Tahanan sa Isok in Brgy. Isok
• Villa Aplaya Beach Resort in Brgy. Ihatub
• Long beach shores from Maligaya to Cawit, mostly free
• Boac Town Plaza, located in Brgy. San Miguel, is where most major gatherings and festivals are held.
• The Boac Museum, beside the Boac Town Plaza and Rizal Park, is home to a collection of facts and information about the Island.
• The Boac Cathedral is Marinduque's central cathedral. In Brgy. Mataas na Bayan, it is a historical church where the Katipunan Flag is said to have been baptized. Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is the patron saint of Boac, while Birhen ng Biglang-Awa is the patroness of the province.
• In Brgy. San Miguel, the Boac Town Arena is where the famous senakulo (a part of the celebration of Moriones Festival) is held.
• Casa Real is a small museum, in the former site of Rizal Park in Brgy. San Miguel.
• Freedom Park in Bunganay, Boac is the main eco-tourism theme park in the municipality with team building activities, zipline, etc.
• Laylay Port is a historical landmark in the municipality where the Japanese and American troops landed. It was once a commercial port where goods and products from other places embarked.

Local heritage markers

• Simbahan ng Boac - Installed at the Boac Cathedral, 1982.
• Padre Diego de Saura Marker - Installed at the Saura Shrine.
• Liwasan ng kalayaan - Installed at the park of the same name, December 6, 1975.
• Museo at Aklatan ng Boac - Installed at the Old Spanish Building, November 30, 1987/July 30, 2002.
• Maharlikang Tahanan ni Kapitan Piroko - Installed at the Lardizabal Ancestral home, February 23, 1973.
• Labanan sa Paye - Installed at the battle site, barangay Balimbing, July 31, 1986.
• Salvador del Mundo - Installed at the Pilar H. Lim Park, 1982.
• Pilar Hidalgo Lim - Installed at the Pilar H. Lim park, 1982.
• Boac Municipal Building - Installed at the municipal building, 1982.
• Boac Waterworks System - Installed at the Daig Chlorination tank, 1954.
• Marinduque National High School Centennial Marker, 2014

Historical markers

• Site of Labanan sa Paye in Barangay Balimbing, Boac, Marinduque, the site of encounter between Filipino Revolutionary Forces and American soldiers during the Filipino-American War.
• Liwasang Kalayaan at Barangay Malusak, where Revolutionary heroes led by Hermenegildo Flores and Remigio Medina were massacred by Spanish soldiers on October 10, 1897 and November 1, 1897.
• Old Catholic Cemetery in Barangay Tampus, where in a common grave, remains of the victims of the October 10 and November 1, 1897 massacres were buried.
• Liwasan ng mga Nagtanggol sa Inang Bayan, the lower park in front of the municipal building which is hereby dedicated to perpetuate the heroism and patriotism of all heroes, heroines and veterans of World War II.
• Liwasang Pilar Hidalgo Lim, the upper park in front of the municipal building dedicated in memory and honor of Dr. Pilar Hidalgo Lim through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 53-74 dated August 2, 1974.

Native Cuisine

• Panganan rice cookies
• Bibingkang lalaki
• Marinaya pasta noodles made from squash
• Sinulbot caramelized banana slices

Events

• The Annual Moriones Festival is held in Boac and surrounding areas of Marinduque Island during the Lenten season. This holy celebration is famed as one of the most colorful festivities in Marinduque and the Philippines.
• The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated every December 8.
• The Annual Bila-Bila (Butterfly) Festival is held on the Fest of the Immaculate Concepcion. It is composed of a festive competition between zones (purok) which includes the Poblacion, Riverside, Ilaya I, Ilaya II, and Seaside Zones. The municipal government of the capital town of Boac enshrined the butterfly in a municipal ordinance entitled "Tree Farming and Butterfly Propagation Ordinance of 2002."
• Bulating Festival, in Brgy. Malbog, a similar practice to Quezon's Boling-boling Festival is said to have been started by one family in earlier years. It revived in 2001, as part of the municipality’s tourism program. Called "Bulating" the practice is said to be an act of humility before God and/or another form of thanksgiving.

Transportation

Laylay Port

• Bus - linking Kamias in Quezon City and Makati City to Boac via RO-RO ferry.
• Jeepneys - connecting to different municipalities of the county.
• Tricycle - serving all barangays.

Biglang-Awa Bridge is the longest bridge in the province, connecting Brgy. Tampus to Brgy. Bantad. Many people stand on the bridge to watch the sun set and to get a good view of the Boac Cathedral.

Medical and health facilities

• Dr. Pablo N. Marquez Health and Diagnostic Center is at Brgy. Isok 1 (Poblacion)
• RHU Bantay is at Brgy. Bantay which serves areas in the Ilaya District
• Dr. Damian Reyes Memorial Hospital (formerly the Marinduque Provincial Hospital) is at Barangay Santol

Educational institutions

Tertiary

• Educational Systems Technological Institute - Murallon
• Marinduque State College - Main Campus (Tanza) also formerly known as Marinduque Institute of Science and Technology and Marinduque School of Arts and Trades
• St. Mary's College of Marinduque - (Ermita, Isok) also formerly known as Immaculate Conception College of Marinduque and Immaculate Conception Academy of Marinduque

Secondary

• Marinduque State College - Main Campus (Tanza) also formerly known as Marinduque Institute of Science and Technology and Marinduque School of Arts and Trades. It has revived its highschool campus on 2012 and had known as MSC Laboratory High School.
• Cawit National Comprehensive High School
• Education Systems Technological Institute - High School Department
• Ilaya National High School
• Marinduque National High School - the main school in Marinduque province. This institution once was used as a camp for Spaniards, Japanese, American, and Filipino armies during World War II.
• Immaculate conception College of Marinduque - High School Department

Primary

Famous People

• Paz Latorena (January 17, 1908 – October 19, 1953), one of the foremost writers of the first generation of Filipino English writers, in both literary writing and education was a poet, editor, author, and teacher.
• Ricardo Paras (February 17, 1891 - October 10, 1984) was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from April 2, 1951 until February 17, 1961.
• Don Luis Hidalgo (June 21, 1855-Died July 1, 1928) A Batangueno philanthropist who lived most of his life in Boac. He donated the land for the present Don Luis Hidalgo Memorial

School

• Myrna Montealegre - Torres , An educator who was born and raised in Mataas na Bayan, Boac. A co- founder / owner of St. James College System -(1971–present ) Q.C., Paranaque & Calamba. Married to the late Don Jaime T. Torres from Tigbauan, Iloilo. She became a three - term mayor in Tigbauan (1998- 2006).
• Hayden Kho- from Murallon, Boac. He is a celebrity and doctor
• Gretchen Malalad- from Tugos, Boac. She is a Filipina 2005 Southeast Asian Games karate gold medalist and a former beauty pageant contestant in Binibining Pilipinas 2002 where she emerged Ms. Talent and Ms. Red Bull Supreme. She was also a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition.
• Zaijian Jaranilla- is a Filipino child actor best known for his role as the orphan Santino in the 2009 teleserye, May Bukas Pa. Zaijian was also a cast member in the children's sketch comedy show Goin' Bulilit.
• Atty. Rhina Zoleta Seco who is a celebrity lawyer and office of the Manila Broadcasting Company and host of DZRH radio and DZRH NewsTelevision. Atty. Seco, who is one of the prettiest Filipina lawyers, is from Walos, Bagtingon, Buenavista, Marinduque.

Twin towns/cities

• Tayabas City, Quezon, Philippines

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boac, Marinduque.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Boac.

• Boac, Marinduque official website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• Ang Kasaysayan ng Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang-awa - Boac, Marinduque
• The Roman Catholic Diocese of Boac, Marinduque, Philippines
• Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay as of August 1, 2007
• Local Governance Performance Management System

		Mogpog	Santa Cruz
	Sibuyan Sea		Torrijos
		Boac
		Gasan	Buenavista

Province of Marinduque
Boac (capital)
Municipalities	Boac Buenavista Gasan Mogpog Santa Cruz Torrijos

Mimaropa (Region IV-B)
Southern Tagalog Islands MIndoro, MArinduque, ROmblon, PAlawan
Regional Center	Calapan
Provinces	Marinduque Occidental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro Palawan Romblon
Highly Urbanized City	Puerto Princesa
Component City	Calapan
Provincial Capitals	Boac Calapan Mamburao Puerto Princesa Romblon
Municipalities	Aborlan Abra de Ilog Agutaya Alcantara Araceli Baco Balabac Bansud Banton Bataraza Boac Bongabong Brooke's Point Buenavista Bulalacao Busuanga Cagayancillo Cajidiocan Calatrava Calintaan Concepcion Corcuera Coron Cuyo Dumaran El Nido Ferrol Gasan Gloria Kalayaan Linapacan Looc (Occidental Mindoro) Looc (Romblon) Lubang Magdiwang Magsaysay (Occidental Mindoro) Magsaysay (Palawan) Mamburao Mansalay Mogpog Narra Naujan Odiongan Paluan Pinamalayan Pola Puerto Galera Quezon Rizal (Occidental Mindoro) Rizal (Palawan) Romblon Roxas (Oriental Mindoro) Roxas (Palawan) Sablayan San Agustin San Andres San Fernando San Jose (Occidental Mindoro) San Jose (Romblon) San Teodoro San Vicente Santa Cruz (Marinduque) Santa Cruz (Occidental Mindoro) Santa Fe Santa Maria Socorro Sofronio Española Taytay Torrijos Victoria
Luzon, Republic of the Philippines

Provincial capital cities and municipalities of the Philippines
Luzon Abra: Bangued Albay: Legazpi Apayao: Kabugao / Luna1 Aurora: Baler Bataan: Balanga Batanes: Basco Batangas: Batangas City Benguet: La Trinidad Bulacan: Malolos Cagayan: Tuguegarao Camarines Norte: Daet Camarines Sur: Pili Catanduanes: Virac Cavite: Imus / Trece Martires1 Ifugao: Lagawe Ilocos Norte: Laoag Ilocos Sur: Vigan Isabela: Ilagan Kalinga: Tabuk La Union: San Fernando Laguna: Santa Cruz Marinduque: Boac Masbate: Masbate City Mountain Province: Bontoc Nueva Ecija: Palayan Nueva Vizcaya: Bayombong Occidental Mindoro: Mamburao Oriental Mindoro: Calapan Palawan: Puerto Princesa Pampanga: San Fernando Pangasinan: Lingayen Quezon: Lucena Quirino: Cabarroguis Rizal: Antipolo Romblon: Romblon Sorsogon: Sorsogon City Tarlac: Tarlac City Zambales: Iba
Visayas Aklan: Kalibo Antique: San Jose de Buenavista Biliran: Naval Bohol: Tagbilaran Capiz: Roxas Cebu: Cebu City Eastern Samar: Borongan Guimaras: Jordan Iloilo: Iloilo City Leyte: Tacloban Negros Occidental: Bacolod Negros Oriental: Dumaguete Northern Samar: Catarman Samar: Catbalogan Siquijor: Siquijor Southern Leyte: Maasin
Mindanao Agusan del Norte: Cabadbaran / Butuan1 Agusan del Sur: Prosperidad Basilan: Isabela Bukidnon: Malaybalay Camiguin: Mambajao Compostela Valley: Nabunturan Cotabato: Kidapawan Davao del Norte: Tagum Davao del Sur: Digos Davao Occidental: Malita Davao Oriental: Mati Dinagat Islands: San Jose Lanao del Norte: Tubod Lanao del Sur: Marawi Maguindanao: Buluan / Sultan Kudarat2 Misamis Occidental: Oroquieta Misamis Oriental: Cagayan de Oro Sarangani: Alabel South Cotabato: Koronadal Sultan Kudarat: Isulan Sulu: Jolo Surigao del Norte: Surigao City Surigao del Sur: Tandag Tawi-Tawi: Bongao Zamboanga del Norte: Dipolog Zamboanga del Sur: Pagadian Zamboanga Sibugay: Ipil
1 de facto seat of provincial government · 2 seat of legislative branch of provincial government