RESEARCH: CPAR

MIMAROPA
REGION IV-B

Submitted to:
Ms. Peng Perez

Group Members:
Naethan Paul Lauricio
John Rafael Gabriel
Andrea Franzine Gacuya
Kaylyn Rexienne Garcia
Laurence Cian Perilla

Date Submitted:
November 12, 2023

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Description
MIMAROPA is a region located in the Southern Tagalog Region of the Philippines. It is
designated in Region IV-B. The acronym represents the 5 constituent provinces
including the island provinces of Mindora: Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro,
Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan. Thus, it depicts arts and crafts combination of
different provinces included in various aspects of their culture. This region is also
known as one of the most scenic spot that can be found in the Philippines. MIMAROPA
is known for its distinctive and beautiful arts and crafts, which include a wide range of
textiles, pottery, and woodcarving. Moreover, its arts and crafts are an important part of
the Philippines' cultural heritage.
1. Mindoro
- Mindoro is known to be the 7th largest island in the Philippines. It is
divided into two provinces which are Oriental Mindoro and Occidental
Mindoro. Mindoro is usually most known by its breathtaking beach
Puerto Galera, a one of the tourist attraction in the country. The several
indigenous people living in Mindoro are called as “Mangyan” which has a
total of eight (8) indigenous groups with their distinctive set of custom,
name, and language: Iraha, Buhid, Tadyawan, Bangon, Alangan,
Hanunuo, & Ratagnon.
2. Marinduque
- Marinduque is known to be “The Heart of the Philippines” as the
provincial island is similar to the shape of the human heart. The island of
Marinduque is situated between Tayabas Bay to the north and the Sibuyan
Sea to the south. It is positioned to the west of Quezon province's Bondoc
Peninsula, to the east of Mindoro Island, and to the north of Romblon's
island province. Marinduque’s most well known festival which is the
Moriones Festival which is done annually during the month of March to
April.
3. Romblon
- Romblon is known as “The Marble Capital of the Philippines.” Thus, it is
known for its fine marble products. This province is renowned to their

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 high-quality marble that can create various products out of it. Romblon's
marble industry has a rich heritage, with the island province being one of
the largest producers of this beautiful stone.
4. Palawan
- Palawan is well known as “The Country’s Last Frontier” because of its
rich cultural and natural diversity. Palawan is consistently ranked as one
of the best islands in the world, making it one of the best places to visit in
the Philippines. The Tagbanuas are said to be Palawan's first inhabitants.
Moreover, men are skilled woodcarvers, while children and women are
skilled weavers.

Historical Background of MIMAROPA

Before being recognized as MIMAROPA, Region IV-B underwent significant changes
in its administrative structure. In the past, it was part of a bigger area called Southern
Luzon, which included MIMAROPA and CALABARZON, along with Aurora province.
Due to difficulties in managing such a large region, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
decided to make changes.

The need for more efficient governance and improved accessibility to regional centers
prompted President Arroyo to reorganize the administrative divisions. On May 17,
2002, Executive Order No. 103 was issued, dividing Region IV into Region IV-A and
Region IV-B. This division aimed to enhance government efficiency, accelerate social
and economic development, and improve public services in the covered provinces.

Region IV-B, created by this executive order, was later renamed as the MIMAROPA
Region, representing the island provinces of Mindoro (Oriental and Occidental),
Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan. The establishment of MIMAROPA aimed to
address the challenges posed by the vast size of the former Southern Luzon region.

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 A subsequent development occurred on May 23, 2005, with the issuance of Executive
Order 429, which moved the province of Palawan to the region of Western Visayas,
designating Region IV-B as "Mimaro." However, this decision faced criticism from
Palawan residents who expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of consultation. In
response to the backlash, Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on August 19, 2005,
directing the suspension of Executive Order 429. This move was intended to allow time
for the approval of an implementation plan for the orderly transfer of Palawan from
MIMAROPA to Region VI.

The 2010 Philippine Census of Population recognized the region's name as

"Mimaropa," including Palawan as part of the region. Finally, on July 17, 2016, Republic
Act No. 10879 formally established the Southwestern Tagalog Region as the
MIMAROPA Region. This legislative action involved no changes in territorial
boundaries and instead was just a renaming. The establishment of MIMAROPA aimed
to promote regional identity and facilitate more effective governance within the
designated provinces.

Artists of MIMAROPA
1. Rafael "Popoy" Arenillo Cusi - Bongabong of Oriental Mindoro (Painter)
- Rafael Arenillo Cusi was born on October 24, 1950, in Bongabong, Oriental
Mindoro as son of Lucas Cusi, also a painter, who influenced him to be
involved in art. Like many new artists who are just starting, he applied his
talent in small gigs by making street art such as murals, billboards, and
sign painting.
- A Filipino artist who specializes in watercolor. He is also dubbed as the
“Master of Watercolour in the Philippines” and is acclaimed as one of the
top artist of the Philippines in his times including other artists who also
specializes in watercolor.

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 -

2. Raymond Kawataki Go of Marinduque (Painter)

- Filipino Asian Modern & Contemporary artist who was born in 1978 in
Marinduque. He was admitted to the Far Eastern University's Fine Arts
program in 1995.
- He specializes in painting Modern Art

3. Nil Sencillo - Puerto of Palawan (Painter)

- Nil Sencillo is a realist painter born in Puerto, Palawan. He graduated of
fine arts from the Far Eastern University.
- He is a prolific portrait artist, and watercolor and acrylic painter,
specializing on realistic portrayals of people and nature. He also works in
oil and paints in a traditional style depicting Palawan life and people.

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4. Jose Y. Dalisay Jr of Romblon (Novelist)
- Dalisay was born in Romblon in 1954. He completed his primary
education at La Salle Green Hills, Philippines in 1966 and his secondary
education at the Philippine Science High School in 1970. He dropped out
of college to work as a newspaper reporter. He also wrote scripts mostly
for Lino Brocka, the National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and
Film.
- A writer of novels with the genres of Fiction, poetry, drama, and
nonfiction.

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Arts & Crafts of MIMAROPA: Traditional/Contemporary
TRADITIONAL ARTS IN MIMAROPA
1. Mindoro
a. Weaving and Basketry: Nito weaving from the Iraya-Mangyan
- They have preserved and developed their weaving to be able to
create modern items such as coasters, trays, bread plates, and
fashionable handbags. Tribal women sit under a thatched roof,
weaving local 'nito' vines or native vines into baskets, beer bottle
holders and place mats amongst other eco friendly products, plus a
construction site building a computer centre for teaching Mangyan
children.

b. Folk writing: Hanunóo script Mangyan Script

- The Hanunóo script is used by the Mangyan people in the
mountains of Mindoro, South Philippines, to write the Hanunóo
language. Nowadays, Hanunó'o is primarily written using a Latin
alphabet variant. There is also a Hanunó'o script, which has been in
use since the 14th century AD and is believed to have evolved from

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 the Kawi script of Java, Bali, and Sumatra. The Hanunó'o script is
used to write love songs or ʼambāhan, and also for correspondence.

c. Folk (oral) Literature: Ambahan

- A literary product and poetic. expression of the Southern
Mangyans of Mindoro, Philippines. The Ambahan has several
characteristics. First, it is a rhythmic poetic expression with a meter
of seven syllable lines and having rhythmic end syllables.
- They wrote and carved their chants in bamboo laths using any
pointed and sharp objects.

2. Palawan
a. Pottery: Manunggal Jar

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 - A secondary burial jar discovered in the Manunggul cave of the
Tabon Caves at Lipuun Point in Palawan, Philippines. The
Manunggul jar from Palawan was used to protect the remains of
the dead around 2,700 years ago. It is recognized as the most
outstanding example of ancient pottery in the Philippines.

b. Weaving and Basketry: Tingkop

- "Tingkop" is a traditional Palawan basket made by the "Palaw'an
tribe." It is a unique heritage art and craft that is considered original
in Palawan and is mostly seen in the southern mountains.
- It's made of hard-strip bamboo. These baskets are sometimes made
of blackened and natural bamboo, which highlights the designs.
Sometimes only the natural color of bamboo is used, and the design
is created by changing the under-over pattern of the bamboo strips
in a very subtle way. Another fine example of Palawan tribe skilled
artistry is the cone-shaped colander basket. Using black and natural
color designs on the outside, the bamboo strips skived slightly
smaller in the center of the cone, creating even holes for the screen.
The funnel effect is achieved by tightly weaving the bamboo strips
towards the top.

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3. Marinduque
a. Mask Making: Moriones Festival
- This is an annual festival held every Holy Week. The "Moriones"
are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of
biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks. The
participants use morion maskes to depict the Roman soldiers and
Syrian mercenaries in the story of the Passion of the Christ.
- Morion refers to the masks that are made of wood or paper-mache,
adorned with colorful shells, animal hairs tassels and crepe papers.

4. Romblon
a. Carving: Marble products of Romblon
- The most famous marble sculpture in Romblon is the
commemorative monument of a sculptor that depicts the province’s
thriving marble industry. Marble is worked and made into various

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items like small souvenir eggs and animals, chess sets, nameplates,
mortar, pestle, etc.

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