Moryonan 2025: Ph Lenten Capital gears up for Holy Week and takes on “Pagtitika” as theme

Marinduque, Mimaropa – The province collated the week-long activities aptly called “pagtitika” isang makabuluhang paggunita ng Mahal na Araw from April 13 to 20 across its six town from Boac, Gasan, Sta. Cruz, Mogpog, Buenavista and Torrijos. Based from penance, this is more than an act of being sorry or feeling of atonement.

Collated by the Marinduque Provincial Tourism and Cultural Office, these are the activities in observance of lent in the six towns of the Lenten mecca of the Philippines. Prior to Semana Santa, there would be an open house of Morion camp in Sta. Cruz by April 8 and an opening with blessing of Agro-Trade Fair 2025 in Gasan. In addition, a general orientation for Moryons is going to take place in Boac Cathedral on April 12, then unveiling of stations of the cross murals and opening of Moriones Bazaar and prayer concert in Sta Cruz. Then there is also an opening of Hamos sa Torrijos Trade fair on Saturday.

From the Marinduque Provincial Tourism and Cultural Office, what pagtitika entails, “Isa itong kultural at espiritwal na karanasan na malalim na nakatanim sa lipunang Filipino. Ipinapakita nito ang dedikasyon ng mga Filipino sa kanilang pananampalataya, debosyon, at pagtutulungan bilang isang komunidad. Bagamat maaaring mag-iba ang anyo nito—pagdarasal, pag-aayuno, paglalakbay, o pampublikong mga gawa ng penance—ang pangunahing mensahe ay nananatiling pareho: ang pagsisisi ay nagdudulot ng pagkakasundo at pagbabago.”

Moreover, more than a cultural and spiritual practice of Filipinos during Lenten season, “Sa pamamagitan ng pagtitika, hindi lamang humihingi ng kapatawaran ang mga Filipino kundi nakikilahok din sila sa isang proseso ng espiritwal na muling pagsilang at paglago. Ang ganitong gawain ay nagsisilbing paalala ng kahalagahan ng pagpapakumbaba, pananagutan, at malasakit, mga katangiang mahalaga sa buhay ng pananampalataya at paglilingkod sa kapwa. Sa ganitong paraan, ang pagtitika ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pag-aamo sa mga nakaraang kasalanan, kundi tungkol sa pagsusumikap na mamuhay ng isang buhay na nagpapakita ng pagmamahal, sakripisyo, at mga turo ni Kristo.”

Finally, for the faithfuls, “Madalas na isinasagawa ng mga Katolikong Filipino ang mga penitensyal na gawain sa pamamagitan ng mga ritwal na nagpapakita ng parehong personal na debosyon at pagtutulungan ng komunidad. Ang mga gawaing ito ay ugat sa kasaysayan ng kolonialisasyon ng Pilipinas, kung saan ipinakilala ng mga misyonaryong Espanyol ang Katolisismo at hinubog ang mga lokal na espiritwal na gawi. Ngayong Mahal na Araw, saksihan natin ang sinaunang tradisyon ng mga mamamayan ng Marinduque – ang Moryonan!”

Part of the solemn observance are few innovations on Palm Sunday, for the first time “Run Moryon Run – half-marathon is going to happen in Boac, panata at pamilihan Buenavista Holy week Trade fair in Buenavista coinciding with the respective church schedule in all parishes in Marinduque with holy mass, hosanahan, blessing of palms and Palm Sunday procession.

By April 14, Holy Monday a province-wide wearing of caftan attire is happening, in Boac there is a community Lenten Parade, start of moriones registration, grand opening and ribbon cutting of Marinduque Agri-Tourism, Trade and Food Fair 2025, tour guiding by Boac Municipal Scholars and Morion parde by MISTAH, KMMK, Legion and Lancea. Then there would be simultaneous activities in Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, Sta Cruz and Torrijos in observance of Holy Monday.

By Holy Tuesday, in Buenavista a Grand Float Procession is taking place and in Gasan, display of Higanteng Moryon and stage play and MSG parade with kalutang musical ensemble is also simultaneous activities. While, there is an chance of  meditation art walk with morion for tourists in Sta Cruz and film showing cum gospel night in Torrijos.

On April 16, Holy Wednesday, there is a return of Maskara mo, Kukayan mo in Boac, Grand Tubungan in Moryon Area, Morion Parade, meanwhile an alternate TAKAS (Talento, Kasaysayan, at Sining) Sunset viewing painting activity in Capala and once again, unang dula – lumang tipan is going to be witnessed at  Moriones arena in Boac. Then, experience outdoor Lenten cinema – Sine Panata Pelikula ng Pananalig in Buenavista. While, a competitive search for best bible character costume and parade ng mga moryon in Gasan. In addition, the usual and traditional parada ng mga moryon and film showing in Mogpog. Then again, interesting Moryonan Tagisan ng Talino in Torrijos would take place before the Wednesday procession all over the Diocese in Marinduque.

The perennial Senakulo or Ikalawang Dula – ang Bagong Tipan in Moriones arena will take the stage by Maundy Thursday, Tawak drinking, Antipo and Kalbaryuhan (Via Crusis) will happen on Good Friday. Meanwhile, Basyao Senakulo in Torrijos and Lenten Passion play: Kristo ang tagapag-ligtas in Sta. Cruz is scheduled on April 18.  By Black Saturday, pugutan in Moriones Area and pugutan stage play in Guingona park is slated. Then the Gasang-gasang Easter Sunday streetdancing festival and Alive 2025 caps off the weeklong Lenten observation. # Randy T. Nobleza Ph. D.