Moriones Festival in the Province of Marinduque is one of the most attended Lenten events in the Philippines. One of the highlights of the festival is the Via Crusis or Passion Play held every Good Friday with the re-enactment of the "Passion of Christ" and the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who speared the crucified body of Jesus Christ.

Moriones was coined from the word "Morion", which literally means "mask", a part of the medieval Roman armor, replicating the garb of biblical soldiers roaming around the town searching for Longinus as interpreted by local folks.

Hundreds of Morions from different groups join the yearly Moriones Festival as part of their "panata" or an act of penitence for the wrong doings they have done in the past. To others, it is also a sign of gratitude or thanksgiving for all the blessings they have been receiving in their lives.

When visiting Marinduque during the Moriones Festival, don't miss having a photo taken with a Morion. You can even request to borrow their mask and experience wearing it.

On a Good Friday, together with a huge number of locals and tourists, we lined up along the streets of Boac to witness the passion of Jesus Christ on the road to Golgotha. The streets of Boac was transformed into a big stage where locals portrayed different biblical characters of the "Via Crusis."

Flagellants where also present to do their Good Friday "panata."

The Via Crusis finale took place on a makeshift hill located at the Moriones Arena. This is also where you can see Loginus, the main character of the Moriones Festival who pierced the side of the crucified Christ.

Witnessing Moriones Festival's Good Friday Via Crusis is a memorable and unique Lenten event you should experience even once in your life. Visit Marinduque on a Holy Week and experience their Lenten practices and traditions!

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How to Get to Marinduque from Manila

The most convenient way is to take advantage of JAC Liner's Marinduque Seat Reservation System. Jac Liner has trips to Marinduque from Manila which covers all the needed expenses going to the province. With their system, you can reserve bus seats in advance which covers the total fare (bus fare, RORO ferry fare and terminal fee) from Manila and vice versa. With this, 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. Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

By Land and Sea
From Metro Manila, you may take a bus bound for Dalahican Port in Lucena City, Quezon. The standard fare is about 220.00 pesos and travel time is around 4-5 hours depending on road and traffic conditions. Jac Liner, Jam Liner, Lucena Lines and RRCG Bus Lines has daily trips from Metro Manila to Lucena City. Bus terminals can be found in Cubao and Buendia Pasay.

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.

Upon arrival in Dalahican Port, there are RORO vessels and ferries with regular trips to the island province of Marinduque. There are three RORO/Ferries bound for Marinduque's 3 main ports: Buyabod Port in the town of Sta. Cruz, Cawit Port in Boac and Balanacan Port in Mogpog. Fare is about 260 pesos (Balanacan/Mogpog) / 370 pesos (Cawit/Boac) and travel time is around 3-4 hours depending on sea condition and the type of vessel you took. Be sure to know which town you want to visit to know which port you'll arrive or ferry you're going to take.

IMPORTANT: 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 Marinduque. You can read my previous experience in Dalahican Port where we waited for 6 hours to take the ferry.

TIP: You may go to Marinduque as early as Holy Tuesday or Holy Wednesday and leave on Black Saturday or Tuesday after Easter Sunday. These are the time that I think that the port has lesser passengers wanting to take the ferries.