Boac, Marinduque
Encyclopedia
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Boac is one of the two first class municipalities in Marinduque (the another one is Santa Cruz) municipality in the province of Marinduque, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The capital has a population of 50,823 people according to the 2007 census.
Barangays
BoacBoac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
is politically subdivided into 61 administrative divisions called barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s, which are listed below.
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History
The name Boac is derived from the Tagalog word biak, which means "divided". The town had been divided into two areas by a river running from the Eastern hinterland to the Western plains down to the sea. The two areas were the Northern Area and the Southern Area.In 1621, the Spanish Jesuit missionaries brought the 3-foot Marian image to Boac. So began the people's devotion to the image of the Virgin Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
.
In the mid-seventeenth century, a group of Muslims within the Philippines called the Moro people felt threatened by the actions of the ruling Spanish government. So, 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.
During the siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
, the neighbourhood people fled in panic and took refuge inside 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 still alive began to run short on food. The capture of the fortress seemed imminent.
The survivors began to pray 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 fall, 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
Vinta
The vinta is a traditional boat found in the Philippine island of Mindanao. These boats are made by Bajau and Moros lining in the Sulu Archipelago. It has a sail with assorted vertical colors that represents the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community. These boats are used for...
boats. Thus, the Christians were saved from death by Mary.
Ever since this incident, the image of Mary has been honoured and given the title “Biglang Awa.” In order to commemorate the miracle, a stone niche
Niche (architecture)
A niche in classical architecture is an exedra or an apse that has been reduced in size, retaining the half-dome heading usual for an apse. Nero's Domus Aurea was the first semi-private dwelling that possessed rooms that were given richly varied floor plans, shaped with niches and exedras;...
was built on the wall at the very spot where Mary appeared. The old image brought by the Jesuits in Boac was placed there. There is still a shrine at this location today.
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 travellers to the island.
On May 10, 2008, the Diocese of Boac celebrated the thirtieth anniversary and the golden anniversary of the canonical coronation
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
of Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang-Awa (1958–2008). Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Mogpog, Marinduque, officiated at the consecrated mass.
In 1942, Boac was occupied by Japanese troops. In 1945, the Battle of Marinduque began and the American - Philippine Commonwealth troops landed in Boac.
Tertiary
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Marinduque State College Marinduque State College is a public college in the Philippines.-Campus:MSC consists of one main campus located at Boac, and three more branches located at Sta. Cruz, Torrijos and Gasan... - Main Campus (Tanza) Marinduque In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.-Archaeology:... - Isok |
Secondary
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Primary
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Events
- The Annual Moriones FestivalMoriones FestivalThe Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks...
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 ConceptionImmaculate ConceptionThe Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin. It is one of the four dogmata in Roman Catholic Mariology...
is celebrated every December 8.
Places/Tourism
- Kabugsakan Falls in Brgy. Tugos
- Tahanan sa Isok http://www.tahanansaisok.com/ in Brgy. Isok
- Villa Aplaya Beach Resort in Brgy. Ihatub
- Blue Sea in Brgy. Amoingon
- Susana Inn in Malbog, Buenavista
- Kusina sa Plaza in San Miguel
- Cely's Kichenette in San Miguel
- Bodette's for souvenirs in San Miguel
- And long beach shores from Maligaya to Cawit for almost free.
- San Miguel Boac Marinduque
Attractions
- Situated in the centre of town, Boac Public Market is one of the Boac's landmarks. Vendors sell both dry and wet products in four air conditioned buildings. Transport terminals located near the market carry goods to different barangays. It is considered to be the mini-supermarket of the province.
- Marinduque National High School is the main school in Marinduque province. This institution once was used as a camp for SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
ards, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese, AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and FilipinoPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
armies during World War II.
- The most important facts and information about the Island are collected and preseved at the Boac Museum. It is located beside the Boac Town Plaza and Rizal ParkRizal ParkRizal Park, also known as Luneta Park or colloquially Luneta, is a historical urban park located in the heart of the city of Manila, Philippines, adjacent to the old walled city of Manila, now Intramuros. Since the Spanish Colonial Era, the park has been a favorite spot for unwinding, socializing,...
.
- Boac Town Plaza is located in Brgy. San Miguel. It is where most major gatherings and parties are held.
- The Boac Cathedral is Marinduque's central cathedral. Located in Brgy. Mataas na Bayan, it is a historical church where the KatipunanKatipunanThe Katipunan was a Philippine revolutionary society founded by anti-Spanish Filipinos in Manila in 1892, whose primary aim was to gain independence from Spain through revolution. The society was initiated by Filipino patriots Andrés Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Ladislao Diwa, and others on the night...
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 patron saint of the province.
- Located in Brgy. San Miguel, Boac Town Arena is where the famous senakulo (a part of the celebration of Moriones FestivalMoriones FestivalThe Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks...
) is held.
- Don Luis Hidalgo Memorial School, also known as Boac Central School, is one of the landmarks in Boac. It is located beside the Marinduque National High School.
- Another national landmark is Marinduque Provincial Capitol, located in Brgy. Santo. It is located near the Dr. Damian Reyes Memorial Hospital (formerly Marinduque Provincial Hospital) and Camp Maximo Abad.
- 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.
- The only state college is Marinduque State College, which offers courses accredited by CHEDCommission on Higher Education (Philippines)The Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, , abbreviated as CHED. The CHED is attached to the Office of the President for administrative purposes...
and TESDA. Its main campus is situated in Brgy. Tanza, Boac and it has satellite campuses throughout the province.
- Casa Real is a small museum, situated in the former site of Rizal ParkRizal ParkRizal Park, also known as Luneta Park or colloquially Luneta, is a historical urban park located in the heart of the city of Manila, Philippines, adjacent to the old walled city of Manila, now Intramuros. Since the Spanish Colonial Era, the park has been a favorite spot for unwinding, socializing,...
in Brgy. San Miguel.
Transportation
- Bus - bounding from Kamias in Quezon CityQuezon CityQuezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
and Makati CityMakati CityThe City of Makati is one of the 17 cities that make up Metro Manila, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. Makati is the financial center of the Philippines and one of the major financial, commercial and economic hubs in Asia...
to BoacBoacBoac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
via RO-RO. - Jeepnies - bounding to different municipalities of the county.
- FX taxi - bounding to different barangays of Boac.
- Tricycle - bounding to different barangays.
External links
- 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
- Marinduque State College - Main
- Marinduque State College Accredited Programs
- Pinoy Science Wiz Kids to Compete in 2006 ISEF in Indiana - Marinduque National High School
- Ten Filipino students earn trip to US fair - Marinduque National High School
- Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay as of August 1, 2007
- Visit Marinduque - Tourism Site