Marinduque next Tourist Hotspot in Asia - CNN

CNN International reported that MARINDUQUE is the next tourist hotspot in Asia, alongside, Phu Quoc (Vietnam), Hainan (China) and the Ho Tram Strip (Vietnam)as touted by developers and local governments.

Why? Writer Tiffany Lam says "For years, Marinduque has been under the foreign tripper's radar, but not for long, if politicos and developers have their way. The laid-back island-province is now being touted as the Philippines’ next holiday haven, with the Bellarocca luxury resort set up last year, and new domestic flights on Zest Air and SEAIR connecting it to Manila.

"Luzon officials are also on a crusade to raise the area’s public profile.

"Ilocos Norte representative Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said earlier this month that “once the Marinduque air and sea ports are modernized, larger volume of local and foreign tourists can be lured to visit its little-known but awesome white sand beaches.” Marcos is also advocating the redevelopment of the abandoned Marcopper mining site into a 18-hole golf course and a hospital complex, to boost medical tourism".

With now Senator-Elect Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and with Congressman-Elect Lord Allan J. Velasco joining hands, the latter having pushed for Marinduque tourism in his capacity as Provincial Administrator under the administration of Governor Jose Antonio N. Carrion, we may indeed see the materialization of things we never thought possible or could happen here. Or yes, we did but things get stalled along the way with negative local politics hurtling us down the road to serfdom, leaving people motionless in suspended animation. But, maybe this time...

Read the full CNN article here

MASK: The Other Face of Humanity

“MASK: THE OTHER FACE OF HUMANITY” was jointly published in 2002 by Rex Book Store (Philippines) and the Organizing Committee of the International Mask Festival held in Yogyakarta (Indonesia) on the 27th of Oct. to the 5th of Nov., 2001.".

It contains a selection of articles on the “various visions on the role of masks in human society”, and its various functions as a form of traditional art. It was the recipient of the 2002 Gold Prize awarded by the 8th Asia-Pacific Publishing Association.

The book features articles on mask traditions in Java (mask in performing arts), Bali (Topeng mask), Sri Lanka (mask in traditional dances) and Marinduque (Moriones festival), among others.

The Marinduque article is entitled “Moriones Festival and Lenten Rituals: Strengthening the Marinduqueno’s Cultural Identity” by Eli J. Obligacion , and may be browsed through this link.

"MARINDUQUE NEEDS LIFT AS A MAJOR TOURIST DRAW"

(Bongbong Marcos with Marinduque Gov. Bong Carrion and wife, Armi, and Vice-Gov. Tom Pizarro)

MARINDUQUE should be promoted as a major tourism destination in Luzon because of its vast resources and natural beauty, Ilocos Norte Rep. and senatorial candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday.

“Marinduque is known worldwide for its colorful Moriones Festival and that’s good, but it has so much more to offer in terms of world-class attractions and facilities that we must and will capitalize on to boost tourism, spur economic activities, and uplift the quality of lives of Marinduquenos,” Marcos said during a visit to the island.

“Once the Marinduque air and seaports are modernized, a larger volume of local and foreign tourists can be lured to visit its little-known but awesome white sand beaches, dive sites, trekking and hiking trails, and a climate comparable to Tagaytay,” he said.

Marcos is pushing for a bigger airport and sea port in Marinduque to allow more local and international direct flights and cruise liners to come in.

(Marcos and his children with Boac Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista at the Boac Cathedral)

Marcos, who engineered a tourism revival in Ilocos Norte during his term as governor, said the Marcopper mining site, shut down for years, could be redeveloped, particularly its 18-hole golf course, housing facilities and hospital building for medical tourism.

He was confident that Marinduque’s beauty, its charming people and its Moriones Festival could easily attract tourists.

(Bongbong's wife, Louis, sister, Irene M. Araneta, and his three sons.)

“Marinduque is a diamond in the rough, and I am looking forward to the chance to lead efforts to make it a key tourism destination through the establishment of modern infrastructure,” he said.

Source: manilastandardtoday.com apr.10-11,2010

SHROUD OF TURIN: POSTSCRIPT TO EASTER

"...the most sensitive, controversial and emotional enigma in the world today." (includes other parts of the video and related videos)

PALASPAS, PALM

Linggo ng Palaspas, Palm Sunday, celebrates Jesus Christ's entry to Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Passover, with crowds of people waving palm branches to welcome him. The raising of Lazarus from the dead performed by Jesus gained him popularity in Jerusalem where he was to fulfill the words in the Scriptures on His final days.

This too, has been annually celebrated in all churches in the country. Photos by Erwin Penafiel taken of the Palm Sunday event in Boac with Most Rev. Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista leading the celebration.

KATILAU IN GASAN AND BOAC

(Ave Maria)

Katilau Co., a group of contemporary dancers, most of whom hail from Iloilo, one province that has produced some notable names in the field of dance, was invited by the Municipal Government of Gasan, through Mayor Vicky Lao Lim to create dances inspired by our local culture.

The dancers must have soaked themselves profusely in local rituals like moryonan, antipo, popua, pugutan as they managed to come up with a highly successful 1 1/2 hour show of interpretive dances on Black Saturday evening at Gasan's Guingona Park.

The municipal government has decided to forego with this year's mounting of the stage play, "Pugutan", a two-hour show with a huge cast that according to the lady mayor has cost the municipio some P400,000 annually to produce. "This does not mean that we are doing away with the "Pugutan" which will be presented again next year", the mayor said.

Two of the lead dancers of Katilau also accepted the invitation of this blogger to perform a doxology for the "Ang Kristo: Pasyondula" presentation at the Moriones Arena in Boac, one of the few occasions where contemporary ballet movements was performed in the capital town, sharing their "Ave Maria" (above photo).

The other dances were inspired by the Moriones and Pugutan street rituals. It will be recalled that Agnes Locsin, one of the most progressive dance choreographers in the country who hails from Davao, used the same ritual as inspiration for "Moriones" that earned for her the silver medal and the Prince Takamado Award in the 1991 International Choreographer's Concourse in Tokyo. Locsin's Moriones was described as a piece "where the male dancers turned, whirled and jumped on each other’s backs to a very rhythm-contagious soundtrack, leaving the viewer pleasantly exhausted at the end".

"Moryonan", meanwhile, that also took off from the local ritual was part of the "Viva Marinduque-Ani ng Sining" cultural tour of the island in 2008 and 2009 that was choreographed by the Balangaw ensemble.

Other photos here show Katilau's awe-inspiring movements of their own version of "Moryonan" and "Pugutan". Katilau roughly means "have a taste of it" in Ilonggo.

GASCUAF's cultural director, Rex Asuncion paved the way for the group's Marinduque performance.

BONGBONG MEETS THE MORIONES

Rep. Bongbong Marcos, while on a visit to Marinduque during the Lenten season, took occasion to underscore the importance of tourism in helping to solve the problem of poverty in the country.

Speaking with local media in Boac, Marinduque, Bongbong noted the popularity of the Moriones Festival as a tourist attraction.

“Tourism can alleviate poverty,” the congressman and senatorial candidate said. “The various downstream activities generated by increased tourist influx can provide income opportunities for all. A good program like what you have here is worth emulating.”

Bongbong, along with wife Louise Araneta, their three sons, and sister Irene Marcos, attended the opening of the Moriones Festival.

During the welcome ceremony, the Marcoses were accorded the “Putong”, a traditional rite that seeks to drive away bad luck and promote good health for the visitors.

Bongbong was also given a Morion Mask as a token of goodwill from the local government.

Although the province is a known administration party bailiwick, Marinduque residents and supporters trooped to the streets to watch the motorcade of the young solon.

Marinduque Governor Bong Carrion also pledged his support for the senatorial candidacy of Bongbong.

“I consider Bongbong as my brother since the former president told me to look after him. He can rely on our full support,” Carrion said.

Bongbong and family also met with Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, 3rd Bishop of the diocese of Boac, during his visit to the centuries-old Boac cathedral.

In keeping with the Lenten season, Bongbong also urged voters to contemplate and take stock of their relationship with the creator.

“We should not forget the spiritual aspect of the Moriones festival,” he said. “It is a celebration of our culture and religion. We should remind ourselves why we do the things that we do and reflect on the sacrifices that we make.”

Source: bongbongm.com

Dan Pagulayan's Sunrise in Boac

The Holy Week's over and Dan Pagulayan posted this photo in his Facebook album "2010 Moriones: Southern Quest Year 3" of the historic town of Boac at sunrise with early morning mist still surrounding the Boac Cathedral, the island's last bastion of hope and promise.

The Franciscan friars established the first visita on the island of Marinduque in 1580, and called it "Monserrat de Marinduque". In 1609 two more visitas were established - "San Juan de Marinduque" in the present day Santa Cruz and "San Bernardo de Marinduque" in the present day Gasan. The Franciscans then ceded the administration of the island in 1612 to the Archbishop of Manila under the care of the Jesuits establishing the town of Boac on December 8, 1622.

"ANG KRISTO: PASYON-DULA" Cast and Production

Ang kasaysayan ng dulang ito ay mababasa sa link na ito.

“ANG KRISTO: PASYON-DULA”
Panulat at Direksiyon: ELI J. OBLIGACION
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 7:30 pm - Buenavista Coastal Park
Holy Thursday, April 1, 2010 7:30 pm - Moriones Arena, Boac

TEATRO BALANGAW

Mga Tauhan at Nagsisiganap:

JESUS, ANG KRISTO : JANMART LACDAO
PONTIO PILATO : PATRICK SADIWA
CLAUDIA PROCULA : MA. TERESA MAGARARU
HERODES ANTIPAS : ROSELO SALVACION
LONGHINO : ISRAEL MAGARARU
JUAN BAUTISTA : JAY ORDILLANO
MAGDALENA : GLAIZA LINING
JUDAS ISCARIOTE : RODOLFO RIEGO, JR.
CAIPHAS : RAYMOND RAMIRO
DIYABLO : DENNIS VILLAVICENCIO
ABENADAR : WILLIAM PRIVADO
ANNAS : MARK LA TORRE
MARIA : APPLE LAMANILAO
SIMON : JUAN CARLOS MANAY
HERODIAS : ANA PRIVADO
SALOME : CLARISSA DELA CRUZ



MGA APOSTOLES:
- Pedro : RANDOLPH DIMAANO
- Andres : JC NAMBIO
- Santiago I : RICHARD REYNOSO
- Juan : BENJO PERALTA
- Felipe : ANATOLIO ROMERO
- Bartolome : OMAR MALAPAD
- Tomas : KHIER JOHN AVILA MORALES
- Mateo : MICHAEL ILAGAN
- Santiago II : VIZON MARTINEZ
- Simon : JEROME SEDA
- Judas Tadeo : DENJAN FABREGAS



SUSANNA/VERONICA : CLENG GRAVE
MARTA/JOANNA : RUTHCHIEN DELA CRUZ
LAZARO : RJ SARMIENTO



Eskribas, Pariseos,
Saserdotes : BILLY JOE REANZARES
JERICHO CAMARILLO
MARK GIL VILLAVICENCIO
PEEJAY CASTILLO
JUAN CARLOS MANAY
BONAMIR JINANG
JASON ROSE MARBIBI



Mga Lalaking Sinapian : ANTHONY MARK LATORRE
JAY ORDILLANO
BARABAS : ALVIN ERESO
Babaeng Makasalanan : APPLE LAMANILAO
KRISTO sa CLAUDIA’S DREAM : BENJO PERALTA



Mga Sundalo ni Pilato:
ARJAY SARMIENTO 2, DENJIE PAGLINAWAN, JAYRON ROSE MARBIBI, JHONAR REANZARES, VERGEL LITRERO, LM MAUSIG

Mga Sundalo ni Herodes:
JAYSON ROSE MARBIBI, JERICKSON SADIM, JOHN NINO NARZOLES,

Mga Mananayaw na Babae:
JESSA MARIE ROMERO, ABIGAIL FIEDALAN, GLADYZ NOBLEZA, PERLYN JOY DEL CARMEN, ALMIRA DE LUNA

Mga Mananayaw na Lalake:
EDRICK SADIWA, LARRY JOHN PILAR, MARVIN VILLAREAL, JHNAR REANZARES, KEVIN SOLETA, JERICK SADIM, JAYCEL SECO

Devil’s Dancers:
JIMBERT CEDENO, JIMBERT SUMAGUI, WARLITO OPIS, GLENNY JOY NOBLEZA, MARTY LAGARTO, MARK JASON LABRADOR, JASON SIENA, JARONIEL HISTORILLO, GLENN GONZAGA

Mga Ketongin:
JAYCEL SECO, EMLOWENS SARILI, JASON SIENA, DENJE PAGLINAWAN, NELMAR PAGLINAWAN, CHARLIE PAGLINAWAN, MARINEL PAGLINAWAN, RACHEL CANTUBA, ROVELYN PAGLINAWAN

Mga Nagsisilbi:
MARTHY LAGARTO, NINO JOHN LABRADOR, RINA CANTUBA, MARINEL PAGLINAWAN, GELLY PAGLINAWAN.

Iba pang mga nagsisiganap bilang mga anghel, mga sundalo, mga bisita ni Herodes, mga taumbayan, mangangalakal, disipulo at mga katulong sa produksyon:


MARK JERALD VITTO, RERICKSON SADIM, JIMBERT HERNANDEZ, LARRY JOHN PILAR, JEFREY PERALTA, EDRICK SADIWA, RIXELLE JOHN SARMIENTO, MARUEL PAGLINAWAN, DENJIE PAGLINAWAN, JOHN NINO LABRADOR,WILFREDO LUARCA, ARJAY MANALO, ERNIE LITRERO, VELMAR PAGLINAWAN, CHARLES PAGLINAWAN, KEVIN REYES, NINO PILAR, MARTHY LAGARTO, JARONIEL HISTORILLO, GLYN GONZAGA, MARK JASON LABRADOR, JASON SIENA, JIMBERT SUMAGUI, JAY ORDILLANO

ALMIRA DE LUNA, JOAN CLAIRE GRAVE, GILLY PAGLINAWAN, MARINEL PAGLINAWAN, JESSA MARIE RAMIRO, RINA CANTUBA, RACHEL CANTUBA, RENALYN MANUBA, GLADYS NOBLEZA, REBECCA MANAOG, GLAIZA LINING, ANNA PRIVADO, CHARLENE SALES, SARAH JANE SIENA, CLARIZZA DELA CRUZ, APPLE JOY LAMANILAO, GLENY JOY NOBLEZA, NARIETE DE JESUS, HELEN LABRADOR, LENIE MALALAD, AMOR SANCHEZ, ELISA MACAISA at MGA MAMAMAYAN NG AMOINGON (BOAC), YOOK (BUENAVISTA) AT BANOT (GASAN).



PRODUCTION STAFF:
RUDY MARIPOSQUE, DENNIS VILLAVICENCIO, ELISA MACAISA, BAMBI NOBLEZA, ROSELO SALVACION, JANMART LACDAO, ALVIN ERESO, JAINITAI SAMBELI, JOSEPH OGALINOLA, ROMEO JALOS, JR., HARIETTA MALIMATA, JOSEPH EMIL BIGGEL.
Drivers: JEREX LUMANGLAS, ROMMEL MELENDEZ, NOLY MINAY.

Publisidad:
THE MIMAROPA SUNRISE
NOEL MAGTURO
LUCKY-7 CABLE TV
MARINDUQUE CATV
THE WEEKLY MARINDUQUE

Opisyal na website:
http://marinduquegov.blogspot.com

Ilaw at Tunog:

CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES (CCP) Technical Group: ARNELIO 'DOODS' MANZANO, JONTUE ROSETE, KENT ORBE, JOY DAMIAN, FREDDIE BUGAS, GENELO MANZANO, CONSUELO 'NIKKO' ZAPATA



Sa Pakikipagtulungan ng:

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATOR
PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE
PROVINCIAL PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
PROVINCIAL BUDGET OFFICE
PROVINCIAL ACCOUNTANT’S OFFICE
PROVINCIAL TREASURER’S OFFICE
PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURE’S OFFICE
PROVINCIAL ENGINEER’S OFFICE
PROVINCIAL GENERAL SERVICES OFFICE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

DIOCESE OF BOAC
OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF BUENAVISTA
OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL MAYOR OF GASAN
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
PHILIPPINE ARMY
BELLAROCCA ISLAND RESORT AND SPA

"ANG KRISTO: PASYON-DULA" (Passion Play)

Ang kasaysayan ng dulang ito ay mababasa sa link na ito.

“ANG KRISTO: PASYON-DULA”
Panulat at Direksiyon: ELI J. OBLIGACION
Handog ng PAMAHALAANG PANLALAWIGAN NG MARINDUQUE
sa pakikipagtulungan ng
TEATRO BALANGAW
at SENTRONG PANGKULTURA NG PILIPINAS (CCP)

Miyerkules, Marso 31, 2010 (Buenavista Coastal Park)
Huwebes Santo, Abril 1, 2010, 7:30 pm (Moriones Arena, Boac)

BUHAY ANG KULTURA at sumasalamin sa mga tradisyon at pinagkakakilanlan sa isang pamayanan. Simbulo ito ng ugnayan ng nakalipas at ng kasalukuyang panahon.

Mula sa sinaunang moriones street pageant noong dekada ’60 na nagtatapos sa masayang selebrasyon ng Linggo ng Pagkabuhay sa pamamagitan ng “Pugutan”, at mga pagbabagong naisagawa dito sa pamamagitan ng pagsasa-entablado nito sa gabi ng Black Saturday noong huling taon ng dekada’70 sa istilo ng Sinakulo, hanggang sa pagsasadula sa mga nakaraang taon ng Buhay ng Dakilang Panginoon sa istilo ng modernong pang-entabladong teatro sa pamamagitan ng “ANG KRISTO: PASYONDULA”, makikita at mararamdaman ang pagiging buhay ng kulturang Marinduqueno, kulturang hindi makakaalpas at hindi mapipigilan sa patuloy na pagdaloy at pangangailangan ng kasalukuyang panahon.



“ANG KRISTO” ay tungkol sa pinakadakilang dulang nangyari at naisulat sa balat ng lupa, “the greatest story ever told”, ang sabi nga. Magsisimula ang kuwento mula sa Pagbabautismo ni Juan Bautista sa Panginoong Hesukristo at magtatapos sa Pagkabuhay na Muli, ang tunay at dakilang mensahe ng pinaghandaang Semana Santa.

Ilan pang mga larawan ang matutunghayan sa link na ito.

Mithiin ng Pasyondulang ito na maging makabuluhang karagdagan sa pagdiriwang ng SEMANA SANTA SA MARINDUQUE, isang simulain na binibigyang halaga, kasama na ang pagrespeto sa mga tunay na sinaunang mga tradisyon sa lalawigan, ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Marinduque sa pangunguna ng Kgg. Punong-Lalawigan Jose Antonio N. Carrion at sa tulong ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Marinduque sa ilalim ng pamamahala ng Kgg. Bise-Gobernador Tomas N. Pizarro.

Ang Pasyon-dulang ito ay unang itinanghal sa bayan ng Buenavista, Marinduque noong Semana Santa, taong 2006. Naitanghal na rin sa mga bayan ng Gasan at Boac noong mga sumunod na taon.

TEATRO BALANGAW featured in “COMMUNITY THEATER: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES”

Community theater is an important device for communities to collectively share stories, participate in dialogue and to break down the increasing exclusion of marginalized group of citizens. It is practiced all over the world by growing numbers of people.

Eugene Van Erven, one of the world’s foremost experts on Asian political theater, has put together the first comparative study of the work and methodological traditions which have developed in community theaters around the world. It’s an incredibly wide ranging study based on Van Erven’s own experiences working with community theater groups in six very different countries (Philippines, Netherlands, U.S.A., Costa Rica, Kenya & Australia).

“Community Theater: Global Perspectives” provides a sociological impression of the relevant county, a brief history of the community theater there, a guide to the country’s overall arts scene, background of the featured artist, a case study of a specific community theater project. It is an invaluable resource for artist/cultural workers studying or working in the field of community theater.

Chapter I of the book deals with “Philippine Community Theater in the 90’s: A Case Study on Teatro Balangaw of Marinduque”

Teatro Balangaw is on Facebook: www.facebook.com/teatro.balangaw

Battle of the Morions, April 1, 9:00 am

MORIONES 2010: SEMANA SANTA SA MARINDUQUE

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
“SEMANA SANTA SA MARINDUQUE 2010”

(As of today, March 23, 2010, as prepared by the Provincial Tourism Office based on the capitol's calendar and data submitted by the municipal tourism offices, religious sector and participating groups).

PALM SUNDAY, March 28

5:00am and 6:30 am Holy Mass in all Parishes



7:30 am “HOSANAHAN” (Procession in all town centers celebrating Christ’s entry to Jerusalem with participants showing off their gaily decorated palaspas, palm fronds)
8:00 am Holy Palm Sunday Mass in all Parishes



9:00 am Opening of GASAN AGRO-INDUSTRIAL TRADE FAIR ’10”, Guingona Park, Gasan
4:00 pm “Estacion Heneral” (Makeshift altars mounted in front of selected houses in the poblacion serve as points where the Stations of the Cross are relieved by the faithful) All parishes.

HOLY MONDAY, March 29

5:30 am Holy Mass in all Parishes
7:30 am Pilgrimage Visit to major Churches of the Diocese
7:45 am Registration of MORIONS (By tradition morions register already dressed up in designated places in town centers), BOAC, GASAN, TORRIJOS, MOGPOG, STA. CRUZ.



8:00 am “COMMUNITY PARADE OF COSTUMES” (Boac Town Center. Public and private sector officials and employees in morion-inspired costumes or costumes of biblical characters, turning the town center into a ‘small Jerusalem’. In Torrijos town similar activity of wearing kaftan and parade of morions are held by the public and private sector from Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday; In Sta. Cruz Poblacion, “Pabasa” and Parade of Costumes participated in by municipal employees are similarly held.




10:00 am MARINDUQUE EXPO 2010 (“PATULOY ANG ASENSO SA TURISMO AT NEGOSYO” Marinduque Products and neighboring provinces and cities. (March 29 – April 4), Moriones Park, Boac Riverside
7:00 pm-“BB. NG LAHI – MARINDUQUE 2010” Beauty Pageant Talent Night, Buenavista Coastal Park

HOLY TUESDAY, March 30

5:30 am Holy Mass in all Parishes
7:00 am. Pabasa ng Pasyon sa mga Parokya

8:00 am MARINDUQUE EXPO 2010, Moriones Park, Boac Riverside (March 29 – April 4)

9:00 am Parade of Kapatirang Morion Group, Boac.
REGIONAL HOY WEEK CAMP & BOARD OF REVIEW, Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Southern Tagalog (March 30-Apr 3). MNHS Campus.
10:00 am Parade/Visita Iglesia of MISTAH Morion Group, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish, Balanacan, Mogpog
2:00 pm Parade/Visita Iglesia of MISTAH Morion Group, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Malabon, Sta. Cruz; proceeding to Holy Cross Parish, Sta. Cruz Poblacion
3:00 pm Parade of Kapatirang Morion Group, Boac Poblacion
8:00 pm- SENAKULO Part I-” Presented by the Provincial Government of Marinduque in cooperation with Sinakulistas, Moriones Arena, Boac Riverside

HOLY WEDNESDAY, March 31

5:30 Holy Mass in all Parishes
4:00 am “Pabasa ng Pasyon” (Traditional chanting of the poetic narrative on the Passion of Christ), Gasan Kiosko



8:00 am “COMMUNITY PARADE OF COSTUMES” (Boac Town Center to Moriones Park. Joined in by government employees and Regional BSP Southern Tagalog Camp participants.
8:00 am Parade/Visita Iglesia of MISTAH Group, St. Joseph Parish, Gasan Poblacion
9:00 am Parade of Morion Groups, Boac Poblacion;
Parade/Visita Iglesia of MISTAH Morion Group, Sto. Nino Parish, Buenavista Poblacion
10:00 am “PAGPAPAKASAKIT NI JESUKRISTO”, Mogpog Poblacion; “KALBARYOHAN”, Sta. Cruz Poblacion (Holy Wednesday to Good Friday)
11:00 am Parade/Visita Iglesia of MISTAH Morion Group, Our Lady of Perpetual Succor Parish, Torrijos Poblacion
3:00 pm Confession in all Parishes; Parade of Kapatirang Morion Group, Boac Poblacion
4:00 pm Holy Mass in all Parishes
5:00 pm Holy Wednesday Religious Procession, all Town centers
7:00 pm “ SENAKULO PART II” Presented by the Provincial Government of Marinduque in cooperation with Sinakulistas, Moriones Arena, Boac Riverside.

(Photo: Teatro Balangaw's Passion Play, "Ang Kristo: Pasyondula, written and directed by Eli J. Obligacion).

7:30 pm- “ ANG KRISTO:PASYONDULA” (PASSION PLAY) Presented by the Provincial Government of Marinduque and the Municipality of Buenavista in cooperation with Teatro Balangaw & Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Buenavista Coastal Park

HOLY THURSDAY, April 1

4:00 am “Pabasa ng Pasyon”, Gasan Kiosko
8:00 am Parade of Morion Groups, Boac Poblacion
9:00 am Misa ng Krisma in all Parishes



9:00 am “BATTLE OF THE MORIONS 1”, (Judging of the Best Morion Costumes and Masks), Moriones Arena, Boac Riverside
2:00 pm “BATTLE OF THE MORIONS 2” (Competition of morions in choreographed movements participated in by contingents from the municipalities), Moriones Arena, Boac Riverside
5:00 pm Holy Mass in all Parishes in celebration of the Last Supper
6:00 pm- Religious Procession-Gasan Independent Church



7:30 pm “ANG KRISTO: PASYONDULA” (PASSION PLAY) Presented by the Provincial Government of Marinduque in cooperation with Teatro Balangaw & CCP, Moriones Arena, Boac Riverside.

GOOD FRIDAY, April 2

6:00 am Tawak Drinking. (Ritual. Drinking of herbal potion against poisonous bites)



6:00 am FLAGELLANTES/ANTIPO. (Self-flogging by penitents till sundown)Boac Cemetery; Gasan Cemetery
8:00 am “SINAKULO” (Street play with morions joining). Torrijos Poblacion



9:00 am “VIA CRUCIS” (The Way of the Cross. Re-enacted along the streets of Boac by Sinakulistas and Morion groups culminating at the Moriones Arena).
12:00 pm Seven Last Words in all Parishes
2:00 pm FLAGELLANTES. (Self-flogging by penitents) Gasan and Mogpog cemeteries



4:00 pm Good Friday Religious Procession, all town centers
8:00 pm “KRISTO: ANG TAGAPAGLIGTAS” (Stage presentation. People’s Park, near Sta. Cruz Public Market).

BLACK SATURDAY, April 3

9:00 am Kite Flying Contest-Gasan Reyes Park
2:30 pm- Kalutang Contest- Guigona Park- Gasan
7:00 pm “PUGUTAN” (Stage presentation on the Longhino story), Torrijos Covered Court
7:30 pm- Interpretive Songs & Dances For Holy Week-Gasan Guingona Park
9:00 pm BLESSING OF FIRE and EASTER MASS,
Boac Cathedral and all Churches.

EASTER SUNDAY, April 4


4:00 am “SALUBONG AT BATI”/”ALELUYAHAN” (Ritual and Dance celebrating the appearance of the Risen Christ before the Blessed Mother. Designated area, all town centers.
5:00 am, 6:30 am, 8:00 am.Holy Easter Mass, all Parishes.



7:30 am “GASANG-GASANG EASTER SUNDAY STREET-DANCING FESTIVAL” (Street dancing competition by various contingents in native and morion-inspired costumes). Gasan Poblacion & Guingona Park
8:30 am Grand Parade and Awarding of Prizes to Morions, Mogpog Covered Court
9:00 am Parade of MISTAH Morion Group, Boac Poblacion
10:00 am “TRADITIONAL PUGUTAN”,(Mock beheading of Longhino), Mogpog Covered Court & Boac Covered Court
7 :00 pm- “BB. NG LAHI – MARINDUQUE 2010” Beauty Pageant Grand Pageant Night-Coastal Park, Buenavista.
7:30 pm San Miguel Beer Plaza, Boac Covered Court
8:00 pm- SENAKULO Part III- PUGUTAN, Moriones Arena, Boac Riverside

Moriones: "Those who forget the past..."

The call made by the Most Rev. Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista on his wish, among others, to make Marinduque a Spiritual-Renewal Destination in the near future, and his concern and that of other Bishops to make Easter truly a day of rejoicing starting with the early morning Easter "Salubong" ("Ito po ng ating pinaghandaan...")also puts in perspective a long running conflict between the local church and the provincial government on the introduction of the Black Saturday evening "Sinakulo-Pugutan" introduced in the late 70's.

Numerous articles and essays have been written and published in local and international press, authored by foreign and local scholars that critically examined this festival, particularly, the replacement of the Pugutan street-pageant by the staged Sinakulo, inspired by the Obando, Bulacan original. Some titles:

"Requiem for a Tradition" by Edwin Go;
“The Bloodless Head of Longinus: Political Interventions and the Decapitation of the Moriones Tradition in Marinduque” by William Peterson, a scholarly study that underlines how a century-old tradition was drastically changed in one sweep by political intervention;
“Holy Week in the ‘Heart of the Philippines" by William Peterson on spirituality, theatre, community and the Moriones Festival;
“Change and continuity of Moryonan in the context of tourism : a case study of culture process in Marinduque, Philippines” by Patricia Nicholson that warned about the tradition already losing its authenticity becoming less of an attraction to foreign tourists; and
"Moryon: Panata sa Likod ng Maskara”, (2002), by Danilo Mandia which underlined how a political figure he described as "kumbistador ng kultura" used power to the extent that "nanaig ang kapangyarihan at nagawa ang gustong gawin ayon sa kanyang pansariling kagustuhan”.



Wrote Mandia in his M.A. thesis, thus: “Tulad ng tradisyon ng moryon, marami na ang nagrereklamo sa kalagayan nito ngunit natatapos lamang sa mga usapan. May indikasyon na may dala-dalang takot ang mga tao sa bayan ng Boac”.

The paper underlined the enmity created between the provincial government and the local Church as both competed for the Black Saturday audience with the church remaining critical.

What exatly did the local Church have to say? Exerpts:

“Taong 1977, wala sa isipan ninuman sa bayan ng Boac na ang pagdating ng Senakulo ang siyang magiging instrumento upang ang palabas ng makulay na habulan at pugutan ni Longhino sa araw ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay, ay maglalaho na sa pahina ng kasaysayan ng mahigit sa dalawang siglong taon ng tradisyon.

"Inanyayahan ni Gng. Reyes ang isang grupo ng mga Senakulista mula sa bayan ng Obando, Bulacan sa pamumuno ni G. Edward de Guzman. Ginamit ni de Guzman ang sarili nilang iskrip sa Obando ng ipalabas ang Senakulo sa Boac...Subalit ng taong 1979, nagpasya na si Gng. Reyes na siya ang gagawa ng iskrip ng Senakulo para sa Boac... Ayon kay Reyes, hindi siya sangayon sa pamagat na Senakulo sa takbo ng istoryang isinulat niya. Nais niya itong tawaging The Bible Story. “Senakulo would be a folk art” (Reyes, 2001. Panayam)

"Ng mga sumunod na taon, naanyayahan ang mga taga-Maynila upang makatulong sa pagsasaayos ng Palabas ng Senakulo. Naging bahagi si indo Angeles, direktor ng teatro sa CCP, upang ayusin ang iskrip. Si Angeles ang gumawa ng paraan upang maisama sa istorya ang kuwento ni Hudas, ayon kay Reyes. Naroon din si Raymond Salvacion para sa pag-iilaw ng entablado, st si Jimmy Asencio, naglapat ng musika at nagmungkahi kay Gng. Reyes na i-rekord ang buong drama ng Senakulo tulad nang naririnig sa radyo. Lahat sila ay direktor, sabi ni Reyes, hanggang sa dumating si Ed Alcantara bilang director, kasama si Aura Mijares, mga aktor ng entablado sa Teatro Pilipino... Lip-sync ang Senakulo...Kung mayroon mang habulan sina Longhino at mga sundalong moryon, limitado lamang ito sa kung hanggang saan maaabot ng follow spot....




“Sa kabila ng mga inobasyon at improbisasyong ginagawa upang mas mapaganda ang Senakulo... hindi rin ito nakalampas sa mga puna at ilang pagbatikos...

“Isa pa rin sa nagkaroon ng matinding reaksyon sa pagpapalabas ng Senakulo ay ang simbahan. Naapektuhan ang mga seremonyas ng simbahan lalo na ang mga ginagawa sa gabi ng Sabado de Gloria, kung saan naman nagaganap ang huling yugto ng Senakulo sa may tabing-ilog. Sinabi mismo ni Reyes sa panayam na pinatawag siya ng simbahan:

“I was called by the parish council, why I was changing tradition? Well, I said, performers were the ones who requested me to show to the people their performance in the evening by means of follow-spots... follow spots ang curtain. Nagustuhan ng mga tao, Ang sabi nila, wala na raw gagawing sulirap sa umaga ng Easter Sunday dahil mainit” (Reyes. 2001 Dec 5).



“Ang reklamo ng simbahan, halos lahat ng tao ay nanonood ng Senakulo at nakakaligtaan na ang mga gawaing pang-relihiyon at mga gawing pang-simbahan. Sa isang panayam kay Monsignor Rolando Oliverio, Spiritual Adviser ng Kapatirang Morion, ito ang kanyang sinabi:

“...nayamot ang mga pari dahil nagkaroon ng kompetensiya. Lahat ng mga tao ay nasa tabing-ilog, samantalang dapat ay narito sila sa simbahan dahil narito ang pinaka-climax ng celebration...very critical ang mga pari. Galit! ‘Sana kayo’y makipagtulungan na madala ang mga tao sa simbahan, hindi yun parang tayo’y magka-kompetensiya; na itong religious na kaugalian ay ginagawang panoorin ng mga bisita’. Kasi maraming bisita, maraming turista. SO para anya gumanda, lalagyan natin ng...’yun ang laging sinasabi sa akin ni Mrs. Reyes na ang Senakulo ay parang... mayroon siyang sinabi na drama sa Germany...(Oberammergau) na ang activities nila ay ginagawa every ten years. Ay yoon namang Senakulo ay salvation history, from creation to the resurrection” (Oliverio. 2002 Feb. 25)

“Sa panayam naman kay Monsignor Senen Malapad, kasalukuyang parish priest ng Mogpog at naglingkod sa simbahan ng Boac taong 1986, ito ang kanyang naging kasagutan sa tanong na: Nagkaroon ba ng conflict ang palabas ng Senakulo sa mga gawaing pang-simbahan?

“Oo, kasi nagpupugutan na sila. Noong una, mas maaga pa, mga alas siete. Sa simbahan naman, naga-start kami ng rites sa Muling Pagkabuhay ng Dios, mga alas nueve. Kaya nangyayari, na lahat ng mga tao, naroon. And there was a time na, binalak na makipag-usap tayo, makipag-ayos tayo, pero ganoon pa rin ang nangyari, kasi ang habol nga, ay mga turista”. (Malapad. 2001 March 2)



“...Ngunit ang mga nakalipas na palabas ay tila tagumpay para sa sining ng entablado at kamatayan naman para sa isang tradisyong nagaganap sa lansangan sa ilalim ng mainit na sikat ng araw na bahagi ng tinatawag na panata. May diin ang mga pananalita ng dating gumaganap na Longhino sa Pugutan:

“Naging matamlay ako kasi magiging stage play. This is not the real Pugutan na talagang hindi kinagisnan ng mga Marinduqueno, lalo’t higit sa bayan ng Boac at bayan ng Mogpog. Talagang hindi na ito ang ating tradisyon. Kung ‘yan man ay talagang nasa libro at sinaliksik nila, bakit naman kailangang patayin ang ating tradisyon?” (Serafin Malinao, 2000 Dec. 27. Panayam).