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Colorful Moriones Fest held today
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Christina I. Hermoso
Date: 1999-04-02
 
One truly unique celebration dubbed as the most spectacular Lenten

presentation in the country is held in Marinduque every year - the

Moriones Festival.



Much-awaited by local and foreign tourists who marvel at the preparation

involved in this colorful celebration, the three major towns - Boac, Mogpog and

Gasan - of this Southern Luzon island serve as venue for the week-long affair.



The Moriones festival is participated in by male penitents who have promised

to be part of this tradition in thanksgiving for an answered petition, long-life,

good harvest or a cured ailment. They parade around town in huge, bright

colored masks, colorful costumes and gadgets.



The Morions, as they are known, play hilarious pranks and participate in the

making of "kalutang" music for one whole week. They speak in high, bird-like

voices.



On Good Friday, they reenact the crucifixion of Christ, known as the

"kalbaryuhan." The Moriones' principal character-Longinus, the one wearing an

unusually large mask which is blind in the left eye, jabs Christ with a spear.

The centurion is surprised when his eye sight is restored when it comes in

confact with the blood of Christ.



Longinus, now a convert, proclaims the divinity of Christ and is ordered

arrested. The chase or "habulan" ensues which takes the centurion

everywhere behind bushes, in fields, river banks, atop trees, under tables and

beds - much to the delight and excitement of the onlookers.



Longinus is caught thrice and escapes thrice until he is finally caught.



On Easter Sunday, a mock trial is staged with Longinus proclaiming his firm

belief in the Almighty. Pilate then issues his verdict finding the centurion guilty

and orders him beheaded.



Longinus was mentioned in the Bible as the Roman centurion who pierced

Christ with a spear and whose blindness was cured by Christ's blood.



To focus on Longinus remorse, the act before his beheading, sees him

confirming his faith and belief in Christ, and his acceptance of the sentence to

die for Him.



Marinduque folk said the identity of the Morions is unknown, even to their

families. This, they said, makes their participation in the festival more

meaningful and sincere. Thus, mask-making is done in utmost secrecy. And

so is the sewing of costume, the footwear and hand gadgets which can be a

sword, a spear or two pieces of wood.



Much like the solemn rites held in other countries in commemoration of lent,

the country's Moriones remains distinctly Filipino and the only one of its kind

in the world for the last two centuries.
 

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