Marinduque, Journey to the Heart of the Philippines

I was in Marinduque during the holy week for the Moriones Festival and for work. Back in 2009, I went on a 9-day silent retreat at the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. It was a different yet refreshing and peaceful experience. I must admit I am not a fan of all the rituals and all those stuff Filipinos do during the Lenten season, but I am an open person. And so, I went, with an open mind, expecting the best.

Going to Marinduque
Marinduque, around 120 km south of Metro Manila, is reachable through land, sea and air. The cheapest would be for you to take a bus from Manila, or a car, drive all the way to Lucena, Quezon and ride a RORO or fast craft from Dalahican Port. The more expensive way is to ride a ZestAir plane, or a chartered one, from Manila to Marinduque.

We took the Roll On Roll Off (RORO) because all plane tickets were sold out. It took us more than 2 hours on the sea to reach Marinduque. The sea was calm, so we reached our destination smoothly. We saw sea beggars at Dalahican Port, before we left.



Marinduque's Food, Heritage and Culture
Beyond the famous Moriones Festival during Lenten season, Marinduque has more to offer. First of all, Marinduque, in my opinion, has really good food. Marinduque is known for its arrowroot and arrowroot cookies, made from high fiber starch extracted from uraro or arrowroot tubers. Try the arrowroot cookies with pinipig, for the extra texture and flavor.



I also like their dilis, or long-jawed anchovies, and their blue marlin, which melts in your mouth. Their fish were fresh and well cooked. This one was with garlic and served in a sizzling hot plate.




These next two "endemic" food from Marinduque were too good, I forgot how they're called. The first one is a native soup made from coconut, with coconut meat and lots of seafood in it. It's a bit sour and sweet. The next is an endemic Marinduque mangrove species. It's like a small crayfish x shrimp; it has a hard shell, but it's as small as a shrimp. Although the meat you can get from it is quite small or few, it's really yummy and quite sweet.




Marinduque is also a center of heritage and culture, with its beautifully constructed old churches and houses. You can go church hopping in the different towns, or just admire the old houses while you go around the province. Photos below were taken from Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Church), and from Boac (Boac Cathedral).



Marinduque Island beyond Moriones Festival
This is Elephant Island, or more popularly known as Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa. I haven't stepped on the island, but I hope to go there, try it, and write about it in the near future ;) *ahem*



Marinduque also has the Maniwaya White Sand Beach, which is up for tourism development, and the White Beach in Torrijos (photo below). Also in Torrijos, these photos below were taken from the Congressman's rest house.



Sulfuric Hot Spring - Marinduque also has a sulfuric hot spring. The first thing you would notice once you get there is its pungent smell, similar to the smell of a rotten egg. Even though this is the case, people still take a dip because they say the water has medicinal properties.



Marinduque Hot Spring Resort - They also have a natural hot spring pool (without sulfur) if you can't take the smell, and if you just want to relax in hot to warm water.



One of the good finds, and a really good pasalubong or gift, I came across in Marinduque was this shirt designed by a local. I find the design really really good. This is one of the factors which boosts tourism. The design and shirt is by Anto arts & prints, copyrighted. If you want to order, you can contact Ms. Beth Monteagudo at 09279455492, and say that you found out about them here. ;)


Rep. Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas, wearing Anto arts&prints. I couldn't find the photo right now, but DOT Secretary Lim wore Anto arts&prints on his last day/departure from Marinduque :)

Pilipinas Tara Na sa Marinduque

Another official trip with the Secretary brings this government employee right smack in the middle of the country, to the heart of the Philippines, to the land of the Moriones, which also happens to be the geodetic center of the country - Marinduque.

Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim visited the province of Marinduque during the holy week, to witness the world famous Moriones Festival, see its tourism sites, and consult with the local government officials regarding tourism development in the province.



“Marinduque has very good potential with its caves, hot springs, heritage houses and with its Moriones festival, which can be extended year round. It is accessible by land and sea through the roll on roll off system and by airplane,” Lim said.



Through his meetings with Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes, Rep. Lord Allan Q. Velasco, and the mayors of Marinduque, he was able to see the potential of the province to develop their tourism industry outside the Lenten season.

He requested Velasco and the DOT Region IV to do an inventory of tourism destinations and activities in Marinduque, and available development areas, like the Maniwaya white sand beach, among others, so that these can be matched with prospective investors who are looking for areas to develop.



Domestic and foreign tourists flocked to the province to witness the Battle of the Moriones, a competition of Morions in choreographed movements participated in by contingents from the municipalities.

The Moriones festival is a century-old and week-long Lenten tradition in the province, which highlights penitents in masks and costumes depicting the Roman warriors in search for Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye.



One of the highlights of the festival is the Via Crucis, a re-enactment of the passion and suffering of Christ to Calvary. Male penitents are seen to inflict suffering on themselves by whipping their backs, carrying wooden crosses, or even having themselves crucified.

On the other hand, one of the newer attractions during Easter Sunday is Gasang-Gasang of Gasan town, which celebrates the risen Christ with street dancing and parade in colorful costumes.



Photos # 1, 2, and 5 are by Rommel Natanauan, while the others are by the blogger.