MORIONES FESTIVAL 2015 Schedule of Activities, How To Get There, Things To Do and Where To Stay

Moriones Festival 2015

Moriones Festival in the province of Marinduque is one of the most-attended festivals during lenten season in the Philippines. It is a week-long colorful festival and is one of the major tourist drawers of Marinduque. "Moriones" was coined from the word "morion," which literally means mask. During the festival, the scary and mighty Morions roam around the towns of Marinduque to showcase their colorful Roman centurion costumes and masks to the delight of the spectators attending the event.

Moriones Festival 2015

Moriones Festival starts from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday with various activities happening in the different towns of the province. One of the highlights of Moriones Festival 2015 is the "Via Crusis" held every Good Friday with a very dramatic re-enactment of the "Passion of Christ" and the story of the Roman Centurion named Loginus. He is the Roman centurion who speared the crucified Jesus Christ and received a miracle.

Moriones Festival 2015

Every town in Marinduque has their own version of Moriones Festival. This 2015, Moriones Festival is set on March 29 to April 5, 2015. Be sure to save the dates of Moriones Festival 2015 and plan your trip ahead!

Moriones Festival 2015 Highlights

HOLY WEDNESDAY (April 1, 2015)
07:00 PM - Senakulo

MAUNDY THURSDAY (April 2, 2015)
07:00 PM - Senakulo (The Last Supper)

GOOD FRIDAY (April 3, 2015)
09:00 AM – Via Crucis (Way of the Cross Re-Enacted along the street of Boac)
05:00 PM – Good Friday Religious Procession

BLACK SATURDAY (April 4, 2015)
07:00 PM – SENAKULO (The Beheading of Longhinus)
09:00 PM – Celebration of the Resurrection of Christ
              - Blessing of Fire and Bonfire

EASTER SUNDAY (April 5, 2015)
04:00 AM – SALUBONG ( ritual and dance celebrating the appearance of the Risen Christ before the Blessed Mother
09:00 AM – CHASE OF LONGHINUS (Day Version) and Morion Parade
10:00 AM – PUGUTAN SA ARAW NG LINGGO NG MULING PAGKABUHAY

Moriones Festival 2015

How to Get to Marinduque from Manila

By Land and Sea
From Manila, take a bus bound for Dalahican Port in Lucena City, fare is about 220 pesos and travel time is around 4 hours. Jam Liner, Lucena Lines and RRCG has daily trips from Manila to Lucena City. Alternatively, you can take a bus bound for Lucena City Grand terminal (220 pesos). From there, take a passenger jeepney or tricycle to Dalahican port. Fare is 10 pesos each.

At Dalahican Port, there are RORO vessels and ferries with regular trip to the island province. There are three RORO/Ferries bound for Marinduque's 3 main ports: Buyabod Port in Sta. Cruz, Cawit Port in Boac and Balanacan Port in Mogpog. Fare is about 260 pesos and travel time is around 3-4 hours depending on sea condition and the type of vessel you took.

NOTE: Dalahican Port is open 24 hours. Expect it to be crowded with passengers during weekends and holy week due to the number of tourists and locals wanting to spend the long vacation in the island. You can read my previous experience in Dalahican Port where we waited for 6 hours to take the ferry.

ALTERNATIVELY, You could take advantage of JAC Liner's Marinduque Seat Reservation System. Through this, you can reserve bus seats in advance through their system which covers total fare (bus fare, RORO ferry fare and terminal fee) from Manila and vice versa. With this system, you can choose your preferred seats and be assured of a comfortable and worry free travel to Marinduque during holy week. Fare is 830 pesos for Mogpog, Boac and Gasan; while it's 880 pesos for Buenavista, Torrijos and Sta. Cruz. Full payment must be made before reservation can be confirmed by JAC Liner. You may call JAC Liner Kamias at (02) 928-6140 for more details.

Must-try Activities in Marinduque

The province of Marinduque offers a lot of natural and man-made wonders that you should consider visiting during your Moriones Festival 2015 trip to the island. Here are some of Marinduque's tourist spots, attractions and things to do and experience in the island that you can do before or after witnessing Moriones Festival 2015.

• Swimming at Paadjao Falls
• Visit Gasan Butterfly Garden
• Swim and Trek to Duyay Falls and Man-made Pool
• Spelunking at Bagumbungan Cave
• Island Hopping at Palad Sand Bar and Mongpong Island
• Swimming at Aroma Beach
• Swim at Kawa-kawa Falls
• Island Hopping on Tres Reyes Islands
• Overnight Stay and Swimming on Maniwaya Island
• Spelunking at Bathala Caves (Python Cave and Church Cave)
• Swimming at Marinduque Hot Spring Resort
• Climb Mt. Malindig
• Visit Boac Cathedral and Boac Museum
• Visit Gasan Church
• Experience the "Putungan Tradition"
• Climb Tarug Peak and Cave
• Beach Bumming and Swimming at Poctoy Beach
• Trek to Battle of Pulang Lupa Historical Park

Where to Stay in Marinduque

Marinduque offers several affordable hotels, hostels, guest/pension houses, inns and resorts, most of them are located in the capital town of Boac. I have tried Happy Bunny (Barangay Mercado, Boac / (042) 332 2040) and Blue Sea Beach Resort (Brgy. Amoingon / (042) 332-1334) during my prvious travels in 2011. You may check them out!

Due to the festive season, it is highly suggested that you plan your Moriones Festival 2015 trip in advance. Book for your accommodation as early as now because accommodation facilities are limited so expect that most of them are fully-booked on the festival week.

[ Click HERE to BOOK a Hotel in Marinduque! ]

Moriones Festival 2015

Come and visit the island of Marinduque! Experience Moriones Festival 2015!

REAL ALSO: Moriones Festival 2011 and 2013 Coverage

• Getting to Boac Marinduque on a Holy Week for the Moriones Festival
• Moriones Festival 2013 Via Crusis
• Holy Thursday Senakulo at the Moriones Arena in Boac
• Via Crusis on the Streets of Boac, the Highlight of the Moriones Festival
• Stations of the Cross at the Boac Cathedral
• Good Friday Procession
• A Close Encounter with the Morions

FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES ON YOUTUBE @PinoyAdventurista

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