Moriones Festival

In the Philippines, Holy Week is observed with a fervor

that mixes serious reverence leaning toward traditional

Catholic practices on one hand and folk-beliefs bordering

on the mystical, on the other hand. It is also a time for

somber, self-imposed retreats; for leisurely out-of-town drives;

 planned family vacations; or cherished visits to the

individual's home province (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

are national holidays; a four-day weekend).

The Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island

of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in

costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers

 as interpreted by local folks. The Moriones or Moryonan tradition

has inspired the creation of other festivals in the Philippines where

cultural practices or folk history is turned into street festivals.

Colorful festivals celebrated on the island of Marinduque and

the Philippines. Morion means "mask" or "visor," a part of the

medieval Roman armor which covers the face. Moriones, on the

other hand, refers to the masked and costumed penitents who

 march around the town for seven days searching for Longinus.

 Morions roam the streets in town from Holy Monday to Easter

Sunday scaring the kids, or engaging in antics or surprises to

draw attention. This is a folk-religious festival that re-enacts the

story of Saint Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in

one eye. The festival is characterized by colorful Roman

costumes, painted masks and helmets, and brightly colored

tunics. The towns of Boac, Gasan, Santa Cruz, Buenavista

and Mogpog in the island of Marinduque become one

gigantic stage. The observances form part of the Lenten

celebrations of Marinduque. The various towns also hold

the unique tradition of the pabasaor the recitation of

Christ's passion in verse.Then at three o'clock on Good

Friday afternoon, the Santo Sepulcro is observed,

whereby old women exchange verses based on the Bible

 as theystand in wake of the dead Christ. One of the

highlights of this festival is the Via Crucis. A re-enactment

of the suffering of Christ on his way to the calvary.

Men inflict suffering upon themselves by whipping their

backs, carrying a wooden cross and sometimes even

crucifixion. They see this act as their form of atonement

for their sins. This weeklong celebration starts on

Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday.

Background

The term "Moriones" was concocted by the media in the 60s, but local

inhabitants have kept the original term, "Moryonan". Many practitioners

 are farmers and fishermen who engage in this age-old tradition as a

 vow of penance or thanksgiving. Legend has it that Longinus pierced

the side of the crucified Christ. The blood that spurted forth touched

his blind eye and fully restored his sight. This miracle converted Longinus

to Christianity and earned the ire of his fellow centurions. The

re-enactment reaches its climax when Longinus is caught and beheaded.

History

In Valencia, Spain there is a similar celebration called Festival

 de Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians Festival). It is almost

 certain that the word "Moriones" was derived from "Moros".

 Another possible derivation is from the Spanish word "murió"

(root:morir) meaning death. The origin of the festival is traced

to Mogpog and the year 1807 when the parish priest of said town,

Fr. Dionisio Santiago, organized it for the first time.