Where the Heck is Marinduque?

Downtown Boac (top picture)
MAP OF THE PHILIPPINES

I have resided in the US since the 1960's and oftentimes, I have been ask where Marinduque* is, not only by US residents but also by Filipinos residing here in the US. Are you, as a Marinduqueno slighted or insulted by the question? I am not!

So, how do I answer it without being patronizing or hinting that the questioner is an ignoramus.? My typical answer: First I ask, do you know where Lucena, Quezon is?
If the answer is yes, then I have no problem. I will say, it is just south of Lucena about 2 to 3 hours by ferry boat. This answer usually satisfies the questioner. However, It is normally followed by, do they speak tagalog or visaya there? Then I will explain that Marinduque is considered part of the southern Tagalog region, so tagalog is the language, but it has a local dialect (and accent) that only a native Marinduqueno can understand. Typical response " I did not know that!"

If the questioner do not know where Lucena is, I will inform him, it is about 3 to 4 hours drive from Manila via the Southern Express Way on the way to Bicolandia. All filipinos know where Manila is. But, if the questioner is non-Filipino and do not knew where Manila is , then I have a longer explanation to do.

Often times my filipino friends are too embarrassed to admit that they have no idea where Marinduque is. But I admired one member of our PAASE (Philippine-American Academy of Science & Engineering) group of her honesty. One time after our meeting, she pulled me aside and whisper, David I am sorry I do not know where Marinduque is. I patiently answered her question. Later, I asked her where in the Philippines did she grew up. She said in the Bicol Region. I will not specify the province for fear she could be identified as the questioner. Incidentally, the lady has a Ph.D in biochemistry, so she is not an ordinary filipina by intelligence, still she did not know where Marinduque is in the Philippine map. The above map shows Marinduque is the heart of the Philippine archipelago.

Just yesterday, LBC(a freight company) picked up from our house two balikbayan boxes for the Philippines. The driver of the LBC van was very courteous and started a conversation with my wife. He asked my wife where Marinduque is and what is the language spoken by the natives. My wife patiently answered him. My wife then asked him where he is from the Philippines. He said, I am from Jolo**. No wonder he has no idea where Marinduque is.

So Fellow Marinduquenos if you are asked where Marinduque is, do you feel insulted? I hope not, because our province is only a small island in the Philippines. That is the reason why, every opportunity I had, I always bragged about Marinduque, not only in conversations with others but also in the seven blog sites that I have created since July, 2008. One of my blog site is: http://marinduqueonmymind.blogspot.com

If you have similar experience please let me know!

* Marinduque is a heartshaped island about 170 Km southeast of Manila. It is geographically located in the center of the Philippine archipelago, so oftentimes, it is called the "Heart of the Philippines". It is the only province with a custom called Putong ot Tubong. Putong is a song and dance ceremony of welcome. Marinduque is part of the MIMAROPA region, consisting of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan Islands. The capital of Marinduque is Boac( top photo id downtown)

** Jolo is the capital city of the province of Sulu, the southern part of Mindanao.