Moriones Festival
Moriones Festival
Many local men take part in the Marinduque play, performing the roles of Roman soldiers. They wear large wooden masks covered with black beards and painted with enormous black eyes, open mouths, and pink flesh. The masks disguise their identities, as their participation serves as an act of humble religious devotion rather than an attempt to garner public recognition. Longinus escapes from the Roman soldiers three times in the Marinduque Passion play, but cannot evade capture on the fourth attempt. The Roman soldiers lead Longinus to a scaffold, but he continues to declare his faith in Christ. The Moriones cut his head off and carry it through town, while bringing his body along on a stretcher.
Philippines Department of Tourism
556 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10036
212-575-7915; fax: 212-302-6759
www.tourism.gov.ph
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