MIMAROPA is one of the regions of the Philippines.

It is
one of two regions of the Philippineshaving no land border with
another region, Eastern Visayas being the other, and is
designated as Region IV-B. The name is
a portmanteau combining the names of its provinces, which
are:Occidental Mindoro, Oriental
Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.
On May 23, 2005, Palawan and Puerto Princesa City were
moved to Western Visayas by Executive Order No.
429. However, on August 19, 2005, President Arroyo issued
Administrative Order No. 129 to hold the earlier EO 429 in
abeyance pending a review. As of 2010, Palawan and the
highly urbanized city of Puerto Princesa still remain a part of
this region.

Executive Order No. 103, dated May 17, 2002, divided

Region IV (Southern Tagalog) into Region IV-A
(CALABARZON) and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA).
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order 103
on May 17, 2002 which subdivided the Southern Tagalog
provinces which comprised Region IV into two regions –
Regions IV- A and IV-B, to promote efficiency in the
government, accelerate social and economic development and
improve public services. Region IV-A is now known as
CALABARZON- which stands for the provinces of CAvite,
LAguna,BAtangas, Rizal and QueZON). Region IV-B on the
other hand, is now known as MIMAROPA which stands for the
island provinces comprising the region - MIndoro (Oriental and
Occidental), MArinduque, ROmblon and PAlawan. EO103 also
transferred the province of Aurora to Region III in Central
Luzon.
Executive Order 429 moved Palawan to Region VI on May
23, 2005. After this move, Region IV-B began to be called
MIMARO instead of MIMAROPA.
 However, Palaweños criticized the move, citing a lack of
consultation, with most residents in Puerto Princesa City and
nearly all municipalities preferring to stay with Region IV-B.
Consequently, Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on
August 19, 2005 to address this backlash. This order directed
the abeyance of Executive Order 429 pending the approval of
an implementation plan for the orderly transfer of Palawan from
MIMAROPA to Region VI. Thus, it is not yet clear if the transfer
of Palawan to region VI is already done and final creating
confusion on whether to address the region as MIMARO or
MIMAROPA.

transported for sale to two stores opened by the

Ayalas at Makati City. The traditional costumes of the
Tagbanua were fashioned from the bark of trees,
particularly the salugin. The preparation of this bark was
unique. After being felled, the tree would be cut around the
trunk, the outer bark stripped off to expose the inner layer.
This layer would be beaten with a wooden mallet, until it
was soft and pliant enough to hang loose from the bole.
This was then washed in the river and dried out under the
sun. No dye was applied to it, and no decorations either.
The Tagbanua have always depended on this inner tree bark
because back-loom weaving is unknown to them, as with all
Palawan groups. In the past, menfolk wore simple loincloths
(G-strings), supported by a woven rattan waistband called
ambalad, while the women wore only brief wraparound
skirts made from bark. The Tagbanua later came to adopt
some articles of Muslim clothing. At present, while many
Tagbanua still wear their traditional apparel, Western-type
clothing has found its way among the people.

The Tagbanua have had more aesthetically delicate

creations in terms of body accessories. In the past, when
both men and women wore their hair long, they filed and
blackened their teeth, and carved earplugs from the
hardwood bantilinaw. These ornately designed plugs were
inlaid with mother-of-pearl in geometric patterns. The
Tagbanua also carved wooden combs and bracelets. They
strung bead necklaces to be used in covering women’s
necks. Anklets of copper and brass wire were also crafted
and worn by women. The earlobe plugs, combs and
bracelets, necklaces and anklets have now become quite
rare.

Baskets and wood carvings are the more notable products

of Tagbanua artistic crafts today. They excel in the number
of designs which they apply to their tingkop (harvest
baskets) made of hard-strip bamboo. These baskets are
occasionally made of blackened and natural bamboo, which
make the designs stand out. Sometimes, only the natural
color of bamboo is used, and the design is created by an
extremely subtle changing of the under-over pattern of the
bamboo strips. The cone-shaped colander type of basket is
another fine example of Tagbanua skilled artistry. Using
black and natural color designs outside, the center of the
cone has the bamboo strips skived slightly smaller, creating
even holes for the screen. The funnel effect is accomplished
through a close weaving of the bamboo strips towards the
top. (Lane 1986:148)

he bay-ong is a hand-woven traditional bag of the Hanunuo

Mangyans, made of buri (palm leaf). The pakudos design,
once used to ward off evil spirits, is now a symbol of the
Hanunuo Mangyans, and is commonly seen on their bags,
clothing and accessories. Minus the traditional string strap,
the bay-ong's unique design and durability make it an ideal
container for tissues, flower pots or just about anything.

LOCAL MATERIALS
S - base 4.0 x 4.0, height 5.5 inches
M - base 4.5 x 4.5, height 7 inches
L - base 5.5 x 5.5, height 7.2 inches
XL - base 6.5 x 6.5, height 7.5 inches
Buri (palm leaf) weaving is a traditional art of the Hanunuo
Mangyans. Soft, narrow strips of leaf are intricately woven
into baskets, purses, pen holders and other small
containers. Fine nito (vine) strips are laid over the woven
buri to add a touch of color.
Price: ₱350.00