Archive - April 2001

The Moriones are the Marinduqueños in colorful costumes and masks replicating the garb of Roman soldiers. The act of donning this attire and roaming the streets in town in the heat of the sun is done during Lent as a form of yearly penance by natives of Marinduque. Many practitioners are local farmers or fishermen. The artistic and colorful attires and masks worn are unique expressions of folk art and local ingenuity.

Origin

The practice originated from the town of Mogpog a closely knit community which continues to establish itself as a religious center in the province. Here the practice having been made an integral part of Lenten church rituals for over a hundred years, has undergone very little change. In the municipalities of Boac, Gasan in this heart-shaped island off the southern coast of Luzon, an hour by plane from Manila.

Moriones

The Moriones recalls the story of Longinus, the one-eyed centurion whose blindness was cured when a drop of Christ's blood fell on him. After this miracle, Longinus denounced Caesar and proclaimed his faith in Christ.

Moriones means masks and it is the most distinctive feature of the festival. All the participants wear outsized masks carved from native wood painted in attractive colors to resembel the features of a Roman soldier. The mask is complemented by a costume that is put together in imitation of Caesar's legionairres

On Easter Sunday, the climax of the Moriones takes place. All the participants display their masks and costumes in a parade around town, after which the hunt for Longinus begins. The townspeople join in the chase as Longinus leads his tormentors on a long drawn-out pursuit all over the town. He is captured around noontime and is beheaded in the plaza.

In the evening, the plaza once again becomes the center of activity as the townspeople gather all their guests foa a touching gesture of farewell and friendship. The ceremony is called Putungan which means coronation. A group of dancers called Manunubong dance among the guests, singing to them and showering them with flower petals. This according to local belief, is how people of Marinduque wish their friends good luck, good health and prosperity.