Marinduque
Marinduque is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. Its capital is Boac.
Marinduque lies between Tayabas Bay to the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is located south and west of Quezon, east of Mindoro, and north of Romblon.
Marinduque is a heart-shaped island situated about eleven miles (18 km) from the main island of Luzon. It is 370 square miles (960 km2) making it the thirteenth largest island in the Philippine archipelago.
Marinduque is considered the Lenten Mecca of the Southern Tagalog region because of the Moriones Festival.
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 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 festival can be wacthed in every town of Marinduque:
Boac
Gasan
Buenavista
Sta Cruz
Mogpog
What to do:
Watch the Festival and the Highlights of it
Join the PABASA ( The recitation of Christ’s passion in verse )
Wacth the Via Crucis ( Highlight of the Festival )
Watch Men inflict suffering upon themselves by whipping their backs, carrying a wooden cross and sometimes even crucifixion
Bring a camera and take shots of the whole Festival
When to Go:
The festival is observed from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday
Getting to Marinduque
There are several ways of transportation. These are the most up-to-date information.
The Long Road
If you prefer a long trip to enjoy the travel and to feel a real vacation trip, catch the Bus from Buendia or Cubao Terminal – JAM and JAC Liner are the usual ones on route. The bus ride might take 3 – 4 hours from Manila Terminal to Dalahican Port , Lucena.
RORO ( Roll on Roll off ) Ships are available for a 2 1/2 – 3 hours sea travel to Balanacan or Cawit Port in Marinduque. The ride costs Php150 or might go up but will never exceed Php200. You can also reach Marinduque within 45 Minutes sea travel from Lucena via Fast Crafts.
Local jeepneys travel from the ports to your respective destinations.
Fly High
ZEST AIR Flies directly to Marinduque. Check out or book in their website: http://www.zestair.com.ph/
Door to Door Options
JAC Liner travels from Cubao or Buendia Terminal directly to Marinduque Towns.
For reservations call (02) 404-2073.