Marinduque - Lenten Mecca of Southern Tagalog
Although it is the smallest province in the Southern Tagalog region, Marinduque is home to one of the biggest festivals held during Lenten Season, the Moriones Festival. Streets are filled with locals wearing masks garbed in Roman soldier clothing complete with armor, shield, lance, and sword, replicating the Roman soldier Longhinus who stabbed the side of Jesus Christ and His blood cured the centurion’s blindness.
With the number of beautiful old churches in the province, Visita Iglesia has become another spiritual activity in the province during Lent. Unknowingly, this small island packs a lot of sights for wandering travelers. From pristine and secluded beaches, to underwater paradise gateways, Marinduque gives tourists more than one reason to stay longer.
Demographics
1.Population –
217,392 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 959.3 sq. km
3. Capital – Boac
4. Language/Dialect – Tagalog and Visayan, Bicolano,
English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (6)
Moriones
Festival
Masked men and women, called morions flock the streets
during Lenten season replicating the garb of biblical
Roman soldiers.
Putong
It is an indigenous custom of welcoming and honoring
friends and visitors accompanied by chanting greetings.
Boac Cathedral
Built in honor of the Birhen ng Biglang Awa (Blessed
Virgin of Immediate Succor), the cathedral has maintained
its Filipino-Hispanic Gothic architectural design throughout
the years.
Bathala Cave
Like the Mount Banahaw found between Laguna and Rizal,
the cave is also tagged as a place of mystic powers.
Cultural
Putong
Putong is a Tagalog word which means ‘to put on’
or ‘to wear’. The ceremony done to honor
and welcome friends and visitors from other province
starts with the procession of the “mamumutong,”
a group of men and women, chanting greetings before
the visitors whom they regard as deities. Every barangay
has its own version of this tradition that has evolved
from healing rituals to thanksgiving and welcome events.
Tawak Drinking
Tawak is a concoction made from mint leaves. It is only
made, served and drank during Good Friday.
Pangkat Kalutang
Location: Brgy. Bangbang, Gasan, Marinduque
It is a piece of musical instrument made from bayog
and kwatingan trees endemic to the province. These two
pieces of wood produces a distinct pitch and tonal quality
when banged together.
Historical
Battle of
Pulang Lupa Marker
Location: Torrijos, Marinduque
A battle between the Filipino revolutionary fighters
and the American forces commenced here. The Philippine
freedom fighters emerged victorious in this battle.
Battle of
Paye Marker
Location: Boac, Marinduque
On July 31, 1900, a fierce battle between the Filipino
freedom fighters and the Americans. Despite inferior
weapons, the Filipinos defeated the Americans.
Man-made
Marcopper
Mining Corporation Mine Site
Location: Torrijos and Boac, Marinduque
This non-operating mine site was once the subject of
a major environmental disaster. On March 24, 1996, news
came out that mine tailings from the site leaked out
to the Makulapnit-Boac river system. Until now, the
residents of Marinduque feel the effects of the toxic
materials.
Natural
Bathala Cave
Location: Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
It is the only existing cave named after an ancient
Filipino god. It is composed of 26 interconnected caves,
two or three of which are regularly visited. During
Lent, believers pay homage to the site and absorb its
alleged psychic powers.
Tres Reyes
Island
Location: Sitio Castillo, Brgy. Pinggan, Gasan, Marinduque
Tres Reyes is composed of three islands: Gaspar, Melchor,
and Baltazar. The biggest, Gaspar, has a crushed coral
beach and an ideal site for swimming and snorkeling.
Melchor Island good scuba diving area. Baltazar Island,
the farthest among the three has an operational lighthouse
with a guard house. It also has an underwater cave where
occasional sharks and stingrays thrive in once in a
while.
Sta. Cruz
Island Beaches
Location: Polo, Maniwaya, Mongpong Islands, Sta. Cruz,
Marinduque
These island beaches are blessed with fine white sand
and underwater coral gardens.
Mount Malindig
Location: Buenavista, Marinduque
Rising up to 1,157 meters. Its foothills are visited
by rare species of birds, deer, wild boar and monkeys.
Mountain climbers are treated to a panoramic view of
the province.
Molbog Sulfur
Spring
Location: Buenavista, Marinduque
Found at the base of the inactive Mt. Malindig volcano,
Molbog Sulfur Springs has two pools that attract visitors
to experience its medicinal value.
Bulusukan
Falls
Location: Brgy. Bagtingon, Buenavista, Marinduque
Aside from enjoying the cool water from this two-tiered
waterfall, the area is the home of more than 300 species
of butterflies.
Religious
Ina ng Biglang
Awa Cathedral (Boac Cathedral)
Location: Boac, Marinduque
Built in 1756, Filipinos and Spaniards use the church
as a hiding place during attacks of marauding pirates.
In 1792, the church was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin
of Immediate Succor. Until now, devotees and local believe
that the image is miraculous and is venerated all throughout
the province.
Lourdes Grotto
Location: Sapinit Hill, Brgy. Bagtingon, Buenavista,
Marinduque
The grotto, inspired by the original grotto found in
Lourdes, France, offers a great view of Mt. Malindig
and the Tablas Strait. Pilgrims constantly visit the
site because of its location that is free from the noise
of everyday life.
Moriones
Festival
Place: Boac, Mogpog, and Gasan, Marinduque
Date: Lenten Season
The festival is said to have originated in Mogpog, in
the 1880s when a re-enactment of the crucifixion was
staged by a local priest. Since then, it has been a
tradition for locals to wear face masks and garbs of
Roman centurions and soldiers, complete with spears,
lances, and shield. The story revolves on Longhinus,
a blind Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus
Christ during his crucifixion. The soldier regained
his sight when the blood of the Lord went on his eyes.
In the end, Longhinus died a martyr when he was beaded.
Kangga Festival
Place: Mogpog, Marinduque
Date: May 15
The feast is celebrated in honor of San Isidro Labrador.
The fiesta is highlighted with street-dancing, brass
bands, beauty contests, carabaos, kangga, cart and cultural
performances.
Bila-bila
Festival
Place: Boac, Marinduque
Date: December 8
The event is centered on the life cycle of butterflies,
the butterfly farming industry being one of the town's
more unique industries. Children and local dancers dressed
in butterfly costumes flock the street and dance to
the beat of their ethnic music.
By Sea
Travelers may take a bus bound for Talao-talao
Port or Dalahican Port in Lucena City. From there,
Roll on-Roll off (RORO) vessels will transport
land based vehicles to Marinduque.
An alternative is to get off the bus at Talao-talao Port and ride a fast craft or ferry to Balanacan Port in Mogpog. From here, take a jeepney, FX or air-conditioned vans bound for Mogpog, Boac, Gasan and Buenavista.
For those bound to Sta. Cruz and Torrijos, take the ferry to Buyabod Port, Sta Cruz. Ride a tricycle to the town center and from here, travelers can ride a jeep going to Torrijos, Mogpor and Boac.
By Air
Local airlines have direct flights to Marinduque,
landing at Marinduque Airport. Travel time takes
around 40 minutes from Manila.