The Holy Week Moriones Festival 2011 - The Experience-It-All Guide

Moriones Festival is the coup of all festivals in the Philippines. The famous Moriones, meaning "mask" is the masked parade festival that remains as a must-see in the Philippines during the holy week- colorful, vivacious, meaningful and awe-inspiring. Travelers must have this week-long schedule guide so you do not miss it all!

Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011 5:00 am Holy Mass. All churches in the island of Marinduque holds the first mass of the holy week. 6:30 am "Hosanahan". The first procession or parade of the festival, where everyone shows their decorated and elegantly cut palm fronds. 9:00 am Opening of Gasan Agro-Industrial Trade Fair '11, Guingona Park, Gasan. An agri-trade fair for all. A must if you are fond of nature and its bountiful products. See what the island can offer and perhaps you can score some goodies! If you are still in Guingona Park at night, you may catch a night of gospel songs specially prepared by the organizers. Holy Monday, April 18, 2011 7:45 am Registration of Morions. Tradition states that the morions, the masked and costumed participants to the festival should register in full costume, so head onto the nearest designated town center registration point to get early snapshots. The morion actors are very gracious and would enjoy posing for you! 8:00 am Depending on where you are: Community Parade of Costumes in Boac and Torrijos. Public officials gather in the town center clad in morion or biblical costumes. This isn't even the main event! Pabasa in Santa Cruz. The municipal lobby holds a lyrical sing-song reading of the passion verses. A curious Filipino way no tourist should miss. Lenten Parade in Buenavista. Government officals and morions from 15 towns gather for a marvelous parade. 10:00 am Marinduque Moriones Festival Trade Expo '11, Moriones Park, Boac Riverbank. The. Expo. To. Be. Products not only from Marinduque but also from all over the Philippines are shown, sold, highlighted and prized. Get your gift shopping done okay? Parada ng Morion in Boac Poblacion. Morions roam around in groups, just to get that feel of the Roman setting going. Get your cameras on ready! Pasyon Reading Contest, Buenavista Poblacion. If you have the guts and tone, then by all means, join. But watching is just as great. 7:00 pm Acoustic Bands, Morion Park. Jam and chill with acoustic bands specially set for those who love to stay up. Holy Tuesday, April 19, 2011 An all day parade for different groups. Catch one nearest you or follow them in a meaning full Visita Iglesia or station of the cross visit. 9:00 am Parade of Kapatirang Morion Group, Boac Poblacion. Morion by Morions from 15 barangays. Buenavista Poblacion Parade/Visita Iglesia of Legion Morion Group, St.Joseph Parish, Gasan Poblacion 10:00 am Parade/Visita Iglesia of MISTAH Morion Group, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish, Balanacan, Mogpog 1:30 pm Parade/Visita Iglesia of Legion Morion Group, St. Isidore Labradot Parish, Mogpog 2:00 pm Parade/Visita Iglesia of MISTAH Morion Group, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Malabon, Sta. Cruz 3:00 pm Parade/Visita Iglesia of MISTAH Morion Group, Holy Cross Parish, Sta. Cruz Poblacion 3:00 pm Parade of Kapatirang Morion Group, Boac Poblacion, and Legion Morion Group Holy Wednesday, April 20, 2011 1:00 pm "Maskara Mo, Kulayan Mo" (Mask painting), Boac Covered Court. Do not miss the mask painting event which showcases the new breed of creativity in the festival. You may even get one as a souvenir. 7:00 pm "Sinakulo". Moriones Arena, Boac Riverbank. A stage presentation of the Genesis to the Birth of Jesus by the concerted effort of the government and traditional cenakulistas. they hav been doing this for countless of years. Maundy Thursday, April 21, 2011 7:00 am Visita Iglesia via Motor Bike. A chain of church visits by bike taking Boac-Gasan-Buenavista-Torrijos-Sta. Cruz-Mogpog Boac route. It is said that once you have completed a Visita Iglesia, a sole wish would be granted. 9:00 am Battle of the Morions, Moriones Arena, a judging of the best new inspired Morion costumes. Want to take pictures of Morions nobody has? This is it. At 2 pm, Morions are judged by their choreographed movements. Good Friday, April 22, 2011 9:00 am "Via Crucis" . The way of the cross re-enacted along the streets. This is one of the highlights of the festival so don't you dare miss it by oversleeping! 12:00 pm Tawak Drinking in Guingona Park. The ritual drinking of herbal potion that is said to be against poisonous bites. Take a shot! 2:00 pm Flagellantes Boac and Gasan cemeteries Parade. The world-famous self-flagellation parade. Witness this form of devotion and repentance. The re-enactment of the Christ's passion. Black Saturday, April 23, 2011 9:00 am Kite Flying Contest, Bangbang Rice Fields, Gasan. Fly a kite and perhaps battle with one or two. After this, many parades will be all aorund the island. 7:00 pm "Pugutan" in Guingona Park, Gasan or the Torrijos Covered Court. A stage presentation of the story of Longinus, the Roman soldier 9:00 pm "Sinakulo" Moriones Arena, Boac Riverbank. A stage presentation on the Resurrection. Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 4:00 am "Salubong at Bati"/"Aleluyahan" in all town centers. A ritual dance celebrating the appearance of the Risen Christ. Bask in the merymaking. This is Easter after all. 7:30 am "Gasang-Gasang Easter Sunday Street-Dancing Festival" The street dancing festival to celebrate the risen Christ. And this is a competition no less, so expect some vigorous shaking down the street. 10:00 am "Traditional Pugutan" in Mogpog Covered Court and Coastal Park, Buenavista ,The time-honored show 10:00 am Boac Poblacion "EASTER EGG HUNTING AT THE PARK". Organized specifically for tourists but is welcome to all, this easter egg hunt will be giving away great prizes. After this you can go about snorkeling or swimming in the great Balanacan Harbor. Certainly there are a lot of events and sights here, so trust your local contact or even just a friendly neighbor about the local happenings, what to eat and what is not to be missed. Moriones Festival will rock your world, colorfully.