Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Holy Week in Marinduque
Marinduque is the Lenten Season Capital of the Philippines. The province is home to Moriones Festival held here every year.
Marinduque is an island province in the Philippines located at MIMAROPA Region. It is considered the Geographical Center of the Philippine Archipelago by the Luzon Datum of 1911,
the mother of all Philippine Geodetic surveys. The province is a
"heart-shaped" island with a total land area of 95,258 hectares (235,390
acres). It is between Tayabas Bay in the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is separated from the Bondoc Peninsula
in Quezon by the Mompong Pass. Some of the smaller islands to the
northeast are Polo Island, Maniwaya Island, and Mompong Island.
Southwest portion includes the Tres Reyes Islands and Elephant Island.
The highest peak in Marinduque is Mount Malindig
(formerly called Mt. Marlanga), a potentially active stratovolcano with
an elevation of 1,157 metres (3,796 ft) above sea level, located in the
southern tip of the island. Various cave system occupies the province
which include the grand Bathala cave, newly discovered San Isidro cave
with its complex subterranean river. Talao cave with its 12 series of
caves overlooking the western part of the island. (source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marinduque)
Aside from Batanes, Marinduque is also a safe place to visit, a zero-crime rate province.
Aside from Batanes, Marinduque is also a safe place to visit, a zero-crime rate province.
My 2 kids had suspected dengue 3 days before our scheduled trip so we came from the hospital when we travel here. We really pushed through with this trip because we had already reserved a room good for 5 nights.
We proceeded to JAC Liner located at Kamuning, near GMA Network. The Marinduque bound buses are fully booked, but the Lucena bound buses are always available. We took our chances... From Cubao to Dalahican Port in Lucena, bus fare Php227.50, travel time 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Dalahican Port to Balanacan Port Php260 and less 20% discount for students, kids 7 y/o below - half fare, travel time 3 to 3 1/2 hours, terminal Fee - Php 30. Jeepney fare from Balanacan to Boac, Php50, 30 minutes travel time. Rates as as of April 2012.
We traveled on a Holy Tuesday, the roros are not that jampacked (yet!)
inside the air-conditioned roro
at Dalahican Port... ang galing ni lola sumisid, pero kitang kita
ang hirap ng buhay =(
ang hirap ng buhay =(
the poor kids begging for coins
the smooth ride from Dalahican to Balanacan Port
Balanacan Port...the cleanest port I've ever been!
Welcome to Marinduque!
the statue of Mama Mary will greet you upon your arrival at the province
looking forward for the most authentic and colorful Moriones Festival
the source of electricity of the island... I've been here in 2004 for the reconnaissance survey for the Luzon-Marinduque Interconnection Project, i really hope that it will push through because I've experienced the everyday power shortage during our six-day visit in the province
we just rested for a while and then started exploring Boac!
the old houses at Boac are just so amazing!
Bulating
katakot daddy!!!
National Museum located at the plaza
Moriones Festival is a week long celebration starting on a Palm Sunday and ending on an Easter Sunday. Morion means "mask" or "visor". Moriones, on the other hand, refers to the masked and costumed penitents who march around the town for seven days searching for Longinus, a Roman Centurion who speared the crucified body of Jesus Christ. The blood that spurted forth touched his blind eye and fully restored his sight. This miracle converted Longinus to Christianity and earned the ire of his fellow centurions. The re-enactment reaches its climax when Longinus is caught and beheaded. (source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moriones_Festival)
ouch!
the sleepy baby
my three boys
with Longinus
free Nestea for locals and tourists
expos at Moriones Arena
inside Boac Cathedral
father and son
we attended the Holy Wednesday mass
walking along the Boac Cathedral
The 3 nights Senakulo organized by the Provincial Government that can be witnessed at the Moriones Arena in Boac Riverside. The 3-parts Senakulo was divided into "Creation" on a Holy Wednesday, "The Last Supper" on a Maundy Thursday, the last part is the "Via Crusis" on a Holy Friday.
Via Crusis
It was a vacation but it is here in Marinduque where I really felt the solemnity of the Holy Week. We always attend the masses, processions and also did confessions. The 3-parts Senakulo is a must-see experiencing how the Marinduqueños are preparing for it every year.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Boac Marinduque Accommodation : Tahanan sa Isok
Tahanan sa Isok become so filled up during Moriones Festival and we are still lucky because we have been able to book for at least two nights at their very affordable rate of Php800 (April 2012 rate) plus Php100 for an extra bed but as of today that room we once occupied was at Php1000 with free breakfast good for 2 persons only. They also have bigger rooms good for four persons at rates Php2200, Php2000 and Php1800 with breakfast for 4 persons.
Marinduque is dubbed as the Lenten Hub of the Philippines. During these seasons traveling to Marinduque become so difficult, buses going to Lucena, Quezon, roro to Marinduque and the hotels are all fully booked. I suggest you book so early because the rooms are already filled up for the lenten season as early as August.
Marinduque is dubbed as the Lenten Hub of the Philippines. During these seasons traveling to Marinduque become so difficult, buses going to Lucena, Quezon, roro to Marinduque and the hotels are all fully booked. I suggest you book so early because the rooms are already filled up for the lenten season as early as August.
Tahanan sa Isok has 15 simple air conditioned rooms, with private bathrooms (w/ hot and cold shower) and a cable television.
The location of Tahanan sa Isok is so near the city proper, just walking distance from the festivities and other celebrations related to Holy week as well as Boac Cathedral and town museum or you can take a tryk at Php10 fare.
Receiving Area
Because of the very humid weather at Marinduque, staying at Tahanan sa Isok will give you some comfort. The mini hotel has a garden and a swimming pool which my kids enjoyed.
habol nang habol sa nagpipicture na mommy =)
Tito Raymart, my four kids yayo...ayan wala kasing bitbit na girlfriend,hehehe =)
Tahanan sa Isok official webpage
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Dingalan, Aurora : Lipit Picnic Ground
We spent our first day in Dingalan in going the tourists places like Tanawan Falls and Tanawan View Deck, Sea Ranch, Tabi Falls, and the beach at Sitio Tabi, Brgy. Umiray, which is just 3 kilometers from General Nakar, Quezon. We spent the night at Berto's house in Brgy. Ibona, Dingalan which is so much close to our last place to explore, the Lipit Picnic Ground located at Brgy. Ibona, Dingalan, Aurora.
Brgy. Ibona is located 18 kilometers south of Poblacion and can be reached by passing the provincial road. It is located between Brgy. Umiray and Brgy. Cabog (Matawe).
ganito kami sa probinsya...
breakfast at Berto's house...walang lamok dito, amazing!
Simba, ang anak ni Mufasa...hehehe =) parang Lion King lang ...
Lipit Picnic Ground is in the upstream portion of Ibona River. It is an attractive place for family gatherings and picnics.
Lipit Picnic Ground is my favorite place in Dingalan!
Waaaaaahhh!!! daddy I want to swim
the "bend-your-knee" jump shot
the Superman jump shot
ang mommy na pa cute =)
the best dito!!!
no entrance fees... yet...
Yahoooooo!!!
i'm not fond of jumping into the water...ngayon lang...kaka addict bumalik dito!!!
For hotel/resort accommodation click here
Friday, August 2, 2013
Dingalan, Aurora : Umiray Beach
Dingalan, Aurora is approximately 182 kilometers away from Manila and around 60 kilometers from Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija. Umiray is located 24 kilometers south of Dingalan Proper.
An amazing fact about Dingalan...It has no distinct dry season. It has a generally fair weather throughout the year with rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest months are October and November and the driest are January and February. (source : http://dingalanlgu.gov.ph/?page=aboutus). Dingalan is an all year round destination.
Umiray got its name from Umiray River. Umiray River is the river that separates Aurora and Quezon provinces. It is bounded by Dingalan and General Nakar (Quezon) towns. It is used as a transport by the illegal loggers (bad huh!).
(source :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umiray_River)
(source :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umiray_River)
After our exhausting but fun hike to Tabi Falls, I already saw my son Joshua and brother-in-law, Raymart, dipping into the beach area. They were so fascinated with the high waves. We had already taken a shower from the houseowner's abode and I wish that I didn't because the water is so inviting.
The people are getting their everyday supply of water from Tabi Falls
approaching nightime
the high waves!!!
That's my son who had already taken a shower, he is just testing the water first until he rolled into the sand again...
he owns the world...no tourists around...
The owner of house is very much willing to cook the food for you for a fee. They have a sari sari store and we just picked what we wanted to eat. We also bought their fresh catch pusit and bayawak. My kids ate the adobong bayawak because they did'nt know it's a bayawak. I didn't even taste it seeing the poor animal killed in front of me.
For accommodation in Dingalan, click here
