FREE EMAIL

The first inhabitants of the island of Marinduque were the Malays and the Mangyans.  They were believed to be under the able and firm leadership of the Bonbon settlement in Batangas which was founded by the Bornean datus Dumagsil and Balkasusa.  When the Spaniards came, Christianity was introduced by Fr. Diego de Herrera.

Marinduque is one of the provinces that comprise the Southern Tagalog Region. Because of its proximity to Bicol and the Visayas, many words from these regions have found their way into the Marinduqueños dialect.

The Marinduqueños unique hospitality may be seen in their custom of welcoming and honoring friends and visitors in a ceremony called  tubong or putong. The honorees are crowned with flowers while women sing and dance before them. Other well-wishers throw petals and coins symbolizing wishes of good health and prosperity.