The Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks. The Moriones or Moryonan tradition has inspired the creation of other festivals in the Philippines where cultural practices or folk history is turned into street festivals.

HOW TO GET THERE

BY AIR
Marinduque is only 40 minutes away from Manila by air. Zest Air flies to Marinduque four times a week (MO/WE/FR/SU). Flight 6K-325 leaves Manila at 11:00 A.M. and arrives in Marinduque at 11:40 A.M. The return flight 6K-324 leaves at 12:10 P.M. and arrives in Manila at 1:00 P.M.

Discounted rates ranges from PhP488.00 to PhP1,309.00 while regular rates ranges from PhP1,429.00 to PhP4,159.00 depending on how early you book prior to your departure. A discount of 20% is given to Senior Citizens (60 years old and above) computed based on the regular fare. Baggage allowance is 10kls. and excess baggage is charged PhP84.00 per kilo. Terminal fee at Manila Domestic Airport is PhP200.00, while at Marinduque Airport it is only PhP20.00.

For further inquiries call their booking office at (6342) 311-16-23 (Marinduque) or (632) 888-2003 (Manila).

BY LAND-SEA TRAVEL
From Manila, take a bus bound for Talao-talao Port, Lucena City. Such buses (Tritran, Dela Rosa, Lucena Lines, JAM Transit and JAC Liner) are available at their terminals in Buendia corner Taft Ave. and at Kamias Road, Quezon City corner EDSA.For passengers bound for Mogpog, Boac, Gasan and Buenavista, take a ferry or fastcraft to Balanacan Port, Mogpog. From Balanacan Port, take a jeepney, FX or other air-conditioned vans servicing the four municipalities.For those bound to Sta. Cruz and Torrijos take a ferry to Buyabod Port. In Buyabod Port, take a tricycle ride to the town center of Sta. Cruz where passenger jeepneys bound for Torrijos, Mogpog and Boac are available.You can also drive your way to Marinduque. The RORO boat can bring your car to the island.

DIRECT BUS TRAVEL
JAC Liner plies a direct Manila-Marinduque route. Their buses leaves at 8:00 in the evening daily from their terminals at Kamias and Buendia. For reservation call (632) 404-2073.

Air-contioned vans also offer similar service. They fetch you right at your doorsteps and drop you off to your point of destination in Marinduque. For reservation call (+63917)8369900, (+63917)2014852, (+63919)4537219, (+63917)4665777 and (632)6464717.

OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

BALAGBAG MOUNTAIN RANGE
This mountain range covering the municipalities of Buenavista, Gasan and Boac forms a wedge shaped north-westerly trending block with the Boac River on its eastern boundary, with a maximum height of 800 meters above sea level descending slowly at each north and south ends. This range consists of undulating old and second growth forest, grasslands, open fields and is the home of endemic species Marinduque butterflies, cloud rat, white breasted eagles, rufus hornbill, monkeys, deers and hundreds of species of insects. Karst topography covers the upper Duyay-Tiguion area characterized by caves, dolines and sinkholes.? ???

This mountain range is ideal for outdoor activities such as bird watching, caving, trekking and camping. There are many points to access this area, through the interior roads from Malibago, Torrijos on the south, Mainit, Boac on the east, and Bagtingon, Buenavista and Tabionan, Gasan on the west.

CENTRAL MARINDUQUE MOUNTAIN RANGE
This mountain range straddling the municipalities of Sta.Cruz, Torrijos and Boac whose general topography are indicated as steep gorges, deeply entrenched streams and rivers, waterfalls and caves on its southern part. Great for outdoor activities, such as adventure races, camping, trekking, bird and butterfly watching, are home of old growth forest of dipterocarps, variety of species of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. The abandoned mines of Marcopper are located on its extreme northern portion ideal for 4X4 wheeling and the Makulapnit River Dam, a big man-made lake ideal for fresh water fishing and kayaking.

TRES REYES MARINE SANCTUARY
This area is located at the south-western part of the island province, consisting of the three (3) islets of Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar. Skin and scuba diving is the best outdoor activity on this sanctuary. In between the first islet of Gaspar and the mainland, was discovered sunken Chinese commercial junk of the Sung and Chang Dynasty. Recovered by a joint team of National Museum and private foreign salvage group were numerous porcelain plates, jars, skillets and others.

On the third islet of Baltazar, is an underwater cave on its eastern part 60 to 90 feet deep. Wall drift diving is at its best early in the morning where variety of coral and some pelagic fishes would be clearly visible.. Occasional schools of hammerhead sharks pass the western depths of the islets. An American built lighthouse still stands and still working on the center of the islet.

Gaspar also has an elongated sand bar that is best for family picnics and swimming, a funeral grotto used by pre-Hispanic Filipinos complete with human bones and shards of potteries on the east and some secluded white sand beaches on the south.

BONLIW-CAGPO-POCTOY FISH SANCTUARY
This area is located on the eastern side of Torrijos, Marinduque established in cooperation of the local government of Torrijos, local fisherfolks, civic and non-government organizations. Covering its area are the few white sand beaches in the mainland and parts of mangrove areas. Within this sanctuary is the famous Poctoy White Beach, a favorite swimming and picnic area on this side of the province. One can have a very good view of Mt. Malindig on the south. Some of the private resorts owned by many Europeans are located here due to very nice secluded white sand beaches and coralline limestone formations.

MALINDIG VOLCANO
The highest peak on the island at 1,157 meters is the home of different species of wild orchids and other endemic wildlife. Due to its height above 1,000 meters above sea level, by law is has been identified as a protected area. This mountain is a stratiform type of dormant volcano with three peaks, the highest is the northern peak, the center peak and the south peak. Trek and climb to the peak is rated as easy to moderate. Reachable via the circumferential road at Brgy. Sihi, Buenavista which is the regular jump-off area. The last third of the climb after the Radio Station atop the mountain will be a trek on a mix of mossy and closed canopy forest with its regular foggy surroundings.