Ilocos Norte - My 3rd Solo Trip

Last December, I was able to book a round trip airfare ticket with Cebu Pacific through their Christmas Sale Promo. It was scheduled last April 17-20, 2011. But I was informed that there were some flight changes, so I had an option to re-book it for a later date with no extra charge.

I'll be leaving for Ilocos Norte tonight. To date, this will be my 3rd solo trip and my 26th province to be visited. The first two solo trips were in Albay and Negros Occidental last year.

Marinduque - Good Friday Procession

Good Friday procession is one of the most attended processions in all church activities during the holy week. In keeping with the centuries-old Good Friday tradition, it is solemnly observed by the Catholics to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ.

Life-size images are paraded around the streets of Boac in richly decorated and lighted carrozas.

Marinduque - A Close Encounter with the Morions

Moriones is derived from the word "Morion", which literally means "mask" or "visor". It refers to the colorfully costumed and masked centurions during the Passion of the Christ. Throughout the Moriones Festival, Morions can be seen roaming around the streets of the different towns of Marinduque as early as Holy Monday, looking for Longinus - a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye.

Marinduque : Stations of the Cross at the Boac Cathedral

Boac Cathedral is dedicated in honor of the blessed "Virgin of Biglang Awa" and seats on a hill overlooking the town of Boac. Built in 1792, it is where Filipinos and Spaniards sought refuge from pirate attacks during that time. Its architecture is of Filipino-Hispanic Gothic with most of the original construction preserved; such as the facade and main body, the belfry and the altar. The stained glass windows embellish the walls and augment the age-old beauty of the church.

Marinduque - Good Friday Via Crusis on the Streets of Boac, the Highlight of the Moriones Festival

Good Friday is a vital religious holiday observed mainly by Christians as an expression of faith and in commemoration of the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

On a Good Friday, the streets of Boac is transformed into a big stage where one of the highlights of the Moriones Festival is being held – “The Via Crusis”. Together with a huge number of people from all walks of life, we lined up on the streets of Boac to witness the passion of Jesus Christ on the road to Golgotha.

Pinoy Holidays : June 20, 2011 was Declared a Special (Non-Working) Day

Malacañang Palace has declared June 20, 2011 a special non-working holiday to commemorate the 150th birthday of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

As Proclamation No. 154 issued by Malacañang on April 26, 2011 says:

WHEREAS, to give all Filipinos the opportunity to commemorate Rizal’s patriotic deeds and sacrifices for the country, rekindle their admiration and respect for him, and to celebrate this milestone with appropriate ceremonies, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) requested that Monday, June 20, 2011, be declared as special non-working holiday instead of June 19, 2011, which falls on a Sunday.

Marinduque - Holy Thursday Senakulo at the Moriones Arena in Boac

As a country that significantly values religious traditions, several practices are done in most places in the Philippines in observance of the Holy Week, one of which is the Senakulo. It is a traditional Lenten presentation re-enacting the Passion of Jesus Christ: his trial, suffering and death. It was derived from the word Cenacle or the "Upper Room" which is the term used for the site of "The Last Supper". These passion plays are staple rituals and still being practiced in many provinces in the country during the Lenten season.

TRAVEL GUIDE : Getting to Boac Marinduque on a Holy Week for the Moriones Festival

the heart-shaped island of Marinduque (Photo from wikipedia.org)

Marinduque is a heart-shaped island province located in the MIMAROPA region. It is divided into six municipalities, namely Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, Santa Cruz, Torrijos and the capital town of Boac. It lies between Tayabas Bay and Sibuyan sea. It can be reached through a direct flight to and from Manila via ZestAir which lands at Marinduque Airport in barangay Masiga, roughly in between Gasan and Boac. To get there, there are shipping lines bounding from Lucena City to Marinduque through Balanacan Port in Mogpog, Buyabod Port in Sta. Cruz, and Cawit Port in Boac.