MY SARISARI STORE

Mask made out of papier maché.

And some people don't need masks ! :-)

Technorati Tags: Woodcarver, Mask, Papier Maché, Turbante, Morion, Mogpog, Marinduque, Philippines,

A creative mask decorated with recycled materials (Sunsilk hair shampoo).

Technorati Tags: Woodcarver, Mask, Turbante, Morion, Mogpog, Marinduque, Philippines,

Wooden masks carved out of Dapdap and Santol wood.

Technorati Tags: Woodcarver, Masks, Turbante, Morion, Mogpog, Boac, Gasan, Marinduque, Philippines,

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I found some very skilled woodcarvers and makers of Morion masks in the villages around Mogpog. The masks are carved out of Dapdap wood or done in papier maché and decorated in a variety of artistic designs, but basically in the style of the plumed helmet depicting the Roman Centurions.

The original masks, which are unique pieces of folk art, are usually painted red or deep pink. The eyes are wide and staring, with holes in the pupil region. The nose is large with a black beard and an open mouth.

The fanciful headgear, called the turbante is supposed to simulate a Roman Centurion's helmet, is fashioned from bamboo splinters tipped with colored paper flowers like sprouting antennae.

The carving of Morion masks is a seasonal activity. Most woodcarvers also make religious statues and "antiques". A Morion mask sells for 3,500 pesos (about 65 USD) and weights about 2 kg.

Technorati Tags: Woodcarver, Mask, Turbante, Morion, Mogpog, Marinduque, Philippines

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The Moriones will roam the streets for most of the Holy Week. They will participate in parades, costume contests, scare the little children, re-enact the beheading of Longinus and... have a lot of fun. I pitty those guys. Most masks are made of wood and are very heavy (about 2 kg). Their clothes are not really adapted for temperatures above the +30C (about 90F) and a relative humidity of +65%.

Technorati Tags: Moriones, Boac, Mogpog, Gasan, Marinduque, Philippines, Longinius, Beheading

The story of the Moriones Festival goes back to 1807 when Padre Dionisio Santiago, parish priest of Mogpog, organized a group of players to re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The staging of the play evolved around Longinius, the Roman Centurion, who was assigned to the execution of Christ on the Calvary. Upon the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, Longinus thrust a lance into the side of Christ and in so doing caused the precious blood to flow around whereupon a drop fell into Longinus’ blind eye and miraculously cured it.

Still later, Longinus, serving as one of the guards of Christ’s tomb, witnessed the Resurrection and rushed into town to spread the news.

Immediately, the Chief Priest and the Scribes hurried to have him silenced by bribing other soldiers to kill Longinus.

The story continues that Longinus gave up voluntarily and as he was being led away by his captors, he revealed how he was miraculously cured and how he, himself, had witnessed the Resurrection. As he was thus praising the Lord, one of the soldiers struck him with a sword and cut his head off.

Technorati Tag: Marinduque, Moriones, Longinus, Padre Dionisio Santiago, Mogpog, Crucifixion, Death of Christ

Moriones Festival in Marinduque.

I have spend my Holy Week in Marinduque a small island 170 km away from Manila. It is a marvellous island with some pretty beaches, old churches, caves, butterfly farms and very friendly inhabitants. The total land area is 95.000 hectares and is inhabited by about 200.000 people. Most of its inhabitants are into coconut farming or fishing.  Legendary stories narrate that the original name of the island was “Malindik” describing the gentle sloping terrain of the island’s highest mountain, Mt. Malindig. When the Spaniards came, they found it hard to pronounce the word so they called the island Marinduc. By common usage, Marinduc became Marinduque.

I decided to go to Marinduque to watch its unique Moriones Festival, an animated Easter tradition featuring masked men dressed like Roman soldiers.
At the same time I was able to witness Marinduque's other rich Lenten traditions.

Gorgeous beaches with cristal clear water.

Butterfly farms all over the island. Most of the butterflies are shipped to Manila.

The Bathala Caves are a complex of seven caves. You have a good chance to see pythons here, along with thousands of bats and some human bones...

Technorati Tags: Marinduque, Moriones, Butterfly farm, Bathala Caves, Python

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