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| ==[[Marinduque News]]== | | ==[[Marinduque News]]== |
| '''Marinduque Moryons (PART IV)''' | | '''Marinduque’s masquerade of faith''' |
| *Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/357520/marinduque-moryons-part-iv | | *Source: http://philippines.ucanews.com/2012/04/20/marinduque%E2%80%99s-masquerade-of-faith/ |
| *April 19, 2012, 6:26pm | | *April 20, 2012 |
| :by FLORO M. MERCENE | | :by ucanews.com |
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| MANILA, Philippines — Alejandro “Anding” Roces’ group opened the eyes of the outside world to three Marinduque cultural traditions that hitherto had been practically unknown to the outside world. Aside from the moryon, his entourage also wrote and spread the positive news about the putung or putungan (crown and crowning, respectively) and the kalutang. The latter consist of two unequal lengths of wood which when struck together in succession produces a melodious sound.
| | Every year, faith takes center stage in the province of Marinduque as people showcase art and culture in a week-long festival of masks and costumes dubbed “Moriones.” |
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| Kalutang – playing is unique to Gasan and had its roots in Barangay Bambang. Its original use, according to the locals, was as auditory signal by farmers “to signal the approach and presence of moryons in the streets.”
| | Life in the province is slow-paced and laid-back for most of the year, but during Holy Week the island comes alive with the sights and sounds of a Roman garrison town. |
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| In the 70's, Tirso Serdeña, a farmer, developed a series of kalutang pairs and used them together with other players to play popular folk melodies. It is now considered part of the town's – and Marinduque's – cultural treasures.
| | Tourists from across the country, along with international visitors, flock to Marinduque to witness the transformation. |
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| Kalutang has also been made as part of the Gasan curriculum. This wooden musical instrument is cut from the twatingan and bayog trees said to be endemic to Marinduque. Players strike the pair in different spots of the wood, which produces notes of definite pitches and tonal quality. Kalutang, especially in Gasan, has been associated with the Moriones ever since. The moriones roamed the streets striking their kalutang and announcing their presence.
| | Local residents of all ages and walks of life participate in the telling of the story of Longinus, reputed to be the centurion who stabbed the crucified Jesus with a spear and was healed by Jesus’ blood. |
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| A local resident of Gasan, Tirso Serdeña, 65, developed pairs of kalutangs of different thicknesses capable of producing melodies such as “Leron Leron Sinta,” “Bahay Kubo,” and other familiar tunes. The group he organized is now a familiar fixture of community events not only in Gasan but in the neighboring towns as well.
| | For residents of Marinduque, the festival is more than a display of artistry in the rendering of beautiful and garish costumes; it constitutes a religious vow of sacrifice. |
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| The Kalutang band is the only one of its kind in the world, frequently mentioned by visiting writers. It has found its way in national television and the social media, such as Twitter and Facebook. They have performed before private groups outside the province and have participated in national events such as the Independence Day celebration at the Rizal Park in 1997.
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| The town’s elders have strived to preserve Gasan’s unique cultural charms to ensure that this musical skill is passed on to the next generation. Today, the municipality of Gasan and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts have joined hands to continue the kalutang tradition with a project called "Preservation of the Art of Kalutang Playing."
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| Putong is the island’s song-and-dance tradition of welcoming its valued visitors. Today, it is considered “The crowning glory of Marinduque,” which epitomizes the islander’s love for life and their hospitality, expressed in verses and songs.
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| In the old tradition, senior citizens arrive at the house of the visitor, with accompanying music from guitars. At the end of their hour-long rendition of memorized verses, they shout “viva,” and “mabuhay,” showering the now “crowned” visitors with flowers and coins. It is intended to wish the celebrant good health through the intercession of San Vicente, patron saint of the sick.
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| The growing popularity of putong has made it imperative that more than a dozen versions are now sung, not only by the elders, but practically everyone else. It seems only the elders have memorized the verses since many participants now join the fun reading copies of the poetic verses in hand.
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| ==[[:Category:Marinduque, Philippines Photo Gallery|Marinduque, Philippines Photo Gallery]]== | | ==[[:Category:Marinduque, Philippines Photo Gallery|Marinduque, Philippines Photo Gallery]]== |