BOAC, Marinduque — In Marinduque, among the various tradition that are being practiced during Holy Week, Moriones stood out both as a cultural heritage and a religious sacrifice. Tracing its roots in 1857, when Fr. Dionisio Santiago began going around the town of Mogpog wearing a Roman Centurion mask as a solemn vow and an act of contrition during Holy Week.
As years passed, Moriones began carving its identity into the consciousness of many Marinduqueños, passing this custom from one generation to the other. Unlike other penitential rituals, Moriones starts from Holy Monday all the way up to Easter Sunday, enabling Morions to deeply remember and reflect the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, while repenting for their sins. This according to Fr. James Janda symbolizes the enduring faith and commitment of every Morion.