BOAC, Marinduque (PIA) — The people of Marinduque were getting ready ahead of the activities for the Moryonan Lenten Rites 2025, which began on Palm Sunday, April 13.
According to Marinduque Provincial Tourism Officer Jose Rino Labay, the Moryonan is one of the most famous Lenten traditions known in the country.
“The Moryonan is an annual Lenten tradition held during Holy Week in the province of Marinduque. It is one of the most famous and unique traditions in the country, known for its colorful parades, traditional Roman soldier costumes, and dramatic reenactments of the final hours of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Labay said.
He further clarified that this activity is not a “Festival,” which implies celebration, but rather a “Lenten Rite” during a period of reflection and fasting, and should be called the “Moryon Lenten Rites.”
The activities will kick off at 4:00 a.m. on Palm Sunday, with the “Palm Sunday Half Marathon” dubbed “Run Moryon Run” in the town of Boac. At exactly 7 o’clock a.m., all Catholic churches across the province held a mass, Hosanna, the blessing of the palms, and the Palm Sunday procession. At 8:00 a.m., a special devotion, the “Panata sa Pamilihan,” took place in Buenavista, along with the Buenavista Trade Fair.
Meanwhile, the tradition continues on Holy Monday, where all government employees throughout the province wear the “Caftan,” which honors the stories of the Bible and the passion of Christ. Various activities will also take place in the six towns starting at 7:00 a.m., along with mass at all churches at 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
On Holy Tuesday, mass will begin at 5:30 a.m. in all churches, followed by activities in the towns starting at 7:00 a.m., including the registration and parade of the Moryon participants in all towns.
On Holy Wednesday, there will be a Community Lenten Parade, a Moryon procession, a giant Moryon parade, a film screening, and a dramatic reenactment of Old Testament stories in Boac. At 5:00 p.m., all parishes in the province will hold a procession.
Holy Thursday’s activities will start at 8:00 a.m. in different towns in Marinduque, followed by the “Chrism Mass” at 9:00 a.m. Other events include an outdoor Lenten cinema in Buenavista, the giant Moryon parade in Gasan, a Moryon tour in Mogpog, and the second drama based on the New Testament at the Moriones Arena in Boac.
Good Friday will also be filled with activities such as the “Kalbaryuhan” or Via Crucis in Boac, “Lakbay Panata” in Buenavista, a Moryon parade in Gasan, and a procession and drama depicting Christ’s crucifixion in Mogpog. In Santa Cruz, the passion play entitled “Christ the Savior” will be performed, and in Torrijos, the “Senakulo” will take place, culminating in the grand procession at 5:00 p.m. across all churches.
On Black Saturday, the “Pugutan” will take place at the Moriones Arena at 8:00 A.M., followed by the “Gabi ng Muling Pagkabuhay” (Night of the Resurrection) at 9:00 p.m. In Gasan, the SK Fun Run and Alay Linis Bayan activities will occur, as well as the “Putong” ceremony for visitors and the Pugutan stage play at Guingona Park. Moryon tours and serenades will be held in Mogpog at 8:00 a.m., while Santa Cruz will host an open house at the Moryon Camp in Dapdap Beach, Barangay Tagum, and Torrijos will hold the “Salubong” at 9:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, the highlights of the activities on Easter Sunday include the “Pugutan” ceremony, where the blind Roman soldier Longhino, believed to have pierced Jesus’ side while He was on the cross, will be decapitated. This is because Longhino believed in Christ as the true Son of God after being healed by Christ’s blood splashing into his eyes.
Labay noted that some 32,000 people attended the Moryonan in 2024 and expects more in this year’s observance of the Holy Week. (DN/AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Marinduque/Photos courtesy of Marinduque Provincial Tourism Office)
