Looking for a unique and meaningful Holy Week experience? Take a trip to Marinduque and experience the Moriones Festival. From Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, to Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, the island transforms into a lively stage where you can witness biblical stories of transformation come to life through parades and performances. Join this week-long event and discover the meaning behind Marinduque's most cherished celebration.

The Moriones Festival began during the Spanish colonial times when Father Dionisio Santiago, a priest in Mogpog, Marinduque, envisioned a unique way to celebrate Holy Week. He initiated a tradition where men dressed up as Roman soldiers and wore masks and helmets. They re-enacted the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye. When Longinus pierced Christ's side on the cross, a drop of Jesus' blood fell into his eye, restoring his vision and igniting his belief. Hunted for his newfound faith, Longinus was captured and beheaded—a tragic end also portrayed in the festival.

Today, you can watch both men and women participate in the processions, walking in heavy costumes, helmets, and masks in the summer heat. This serves as a form of panata, or penance, a way for them to show their remorse for their actions and seek redemption during Holy Week.

Named after the Spanish word for "helmet" (morrión), the festival started as a way to teach the story of Christ's passion and resurrection through Longinus’ story. Over the years, it grew and changed, reaffirming people’s faith through the festivities.

Embrace local traditions, watch spiritual stories, and enjoy the celebration filled with religion, art, and history. The Moriones Festival is packed with activities throughout Holy Week—from Pabasa ng Pasyon to Pasyong Dula—but here are a few of the most famous:

Witness a week filled with parades of people dressed as Roman soldiers. During the Paglalakbay, excitement builds as the soldiers search for Longinus, whose conversion to Christianity is viewed as an act of betrayal.

Catch the Morion Parade in the following towns:

Boac: Morion Parade (MISTAH, KMMK, Legion)

• March 25, 2024, Holy Monday, 4 p.m.
• March 26, 2024, Holy Tuesday, 4 p.m.
• March 27, 2024, Holy Wednesday, 3 p.m.

Gasan: Parada ng mga Moryon (Poblacion)

• March 25, 2024, Holy Monday, 8 a.m.
• March 26, 2024, Holy Tuesday, 8 a.m.
• March 27, 2024, Holy Wednesday, 8 a.m.
• March 28, 2024, Maundy Thursday, 8 a.m.
• March 29, 2024, Good Friday, 8 a.m.

Torrijos: Morion Parade (Poblacion)

• March 25, 2024, Holy Monday, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• March 30, 2024, Black Saturday, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Buenavista: Morion Parade

• March 26, 2024, Holy Tuesday, 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• March 27, 2024, Holy Wednesday, 3 p.m.
• March 28, 2024, Maundy Thursday, 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• March 29, 2024, Good Friday, 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• March 30, 2024, Black Saturday, 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• March 31, 2024, Easter Sunday, 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

On Good Friday, you can watch a moving reenactment of Jesus Christ's suffering and crucifixion. Walk alongside the procession as different scenes unfold on the streets, reminding you of Christ’s love and sacrifice.

Watch Via Crucis in the following towns:

• Boac: Kalbaryuhan (Via Crucis), March 29, Good Friday, 10 a.m.
• Mogpog: Pagpapako kay Kristo (Via Crucis), March 29, Good Friday, at 12 p.m.

The Moriones Festival reaches a dramatic climax with the pugutan, a reenactment of the beheading of Longinus. During the pugutan, different Moriones (masked penitents) take turns portraying Saint Longinus and his execution, bringing his story to life through this symbolic act.

Witness Pugutan in the following towns:

Boac: Pugutan

• March 30, Black Saturday, 7 p.m. at the Moryon Arena
• March 31, Easter Sunday 10 a.m.

Gasan: Pugutan Play, March 30, Black Saturday, 7 p.m. at the Gasan Tennis Court

Torrijos: Pugutan: The Story of Longinus, March 30, Black Saturday, 6:00 p.m.

Mogpog: Pagpupugot at Paglilibing kay Longino, March 31, Easter Sunday, 12 p.m.

While the core story of Longinus unites the festival, each town in Marinduque adds its own unique flair. See the complete schedule of activities in each town.

Skilled artisans in Marinduque carry on the complex tradition of mask-making, passing down the techniques through generations. The process involves carving wood, then meticulously layering lacquer and intricate details to bring these fierce faces to life. In some regions, the mask's ornamentation even tells a story—the more elaborate the decorations, the more often the wearer has participated in the festival.

If you’re inspired to create a mask of your own, consider using papier mâché. You can find online tutorials to guide you through the process. You can also find a premade paper mache mask online, offering a base for you to be creative with paint, embellishments, and other decorative touches. Just remember to respect the cultural and religious significance of the Moriones mask.

The Moriones Festival is not just an event; it's a vital part of Marinduque's heritage. It celebrates cultural identity, strengthens community bonds, and keeps religious and cultural traditions alive. By participating, you're becoming part of a legacy that has been passed down through generations.

When you're at the Moriones Festival, staying connected is important. Make sure you have access to your favorite social media apps with Go+99’s GoSHARE, so you can upload and share the festival’s vibrant scenes from your mobile device. Tourists can also consider getting a Traveler SIM to stay in touch with loved ones easily. With these tools, you can enjoy the festival to the fullest. Explore more festivals and plan your next cultural adventure.