MARINDUQUE - Holy Week Itinerary (day 2-4)

Day 2 – Good Friday

Daang Krus

My colleague and I was greeted with smell of fried rice and danggit, late from our agreed call time, we failed to resist our breakfast and ignored time. Our Activity for the morning was to participate in “Daang Krus” – is a re-enactment of Jesus’ way to Calvary or senakulo. The participatory stage was the whole town of Sta. Cruz, which starts at baluarte and ends at plaza around 12 NN.

At first, we do not intend to participate to the end, but the actors were into their characters that we felt part of the scene. Every station an angel narrates reflection of the scene and correlates it with our present lives, then, ends with a prayer. It was a unique way of senakulo that I myself was touched.

Prusisyon

The prusisyon commemorates the death of Jesus Christ

In the afternoon, locals were busy preparing for the 5:30 pm prusisyon. They wore uniform t-shirt with the face of Jesus with crown of thorns and walk barefoot. Good Friday prusisyon had a solemn feel due to death of Jesus Christ. Almost all locals and tourists joined that I was told, the start of prusisyon was already about to re-enter the church while the tail was just about to leave the church of Sta. Cruz. Prusisyon goes as they recite the rosary and it ends with solemn prayer to keep Marinduque safe from fire, typhoon, earthquake, flood and other disaster.

Participants wearing uniform shirts

At the end of prusisyon, locals tried hard to get piece of rope used to pull carriage carrying the image of Jesus Christ, it was believed to bring blessing particularly to fishermen for bounty catch. I was handed piece of it, which I kept in my wallet.

Mother De la Rosa

Piece of rope that believes to bring blessings

 Pugutan

By evening after the prusisyon was the Pugutan – was held in plaza, the story goes when Longinus was summoned to the court due to what he saw at the grave, he was then sentenced to be headed and he will escape and moryons will go after him. It was a long running but ends as Longinus was beheaded.

Day 3 – Black Saturday

I had learned that locals flock to beach to bathe/swim on Easter Sunday as to commemorate Christ’s resurrection. We have less time and there was an opportunity to island hop from Polo to Maniwaya free! They said that Marinduque’s beaches being an integral part of each seaside town are untouched with pristine and un-crowded shoreline. There are 17 – outlying islands that can be reached by native banca, an experience that can enhance vacation as it promised fine white sand beach ideal to frolic in the sun, crystal blue/green sea and a picture postcard backdrop of a real tropical island.

Polo Island

Welcome to Polo Island

Since there was available banca for free, we had no problem of hiring one. Polo Islet is approximately 30 hectares in Mongpong Strait, within the group of islands off coast of the North Eastern province of Marinduque, in the town of Sta. Cruz. Polo Island is a one-hour banca boat journey famous for fine sand and large, fish filled coral gardens.

Mangroves during low tide

We camped on shoreline of Polo Island under mangroves (low tide), while Ate Liza and her crew was busy preparing our lunch; I took opportunity to explore the island. There was no establishment in sight but of long stretch of fine sands with crystal blue waters. I feel happy surrounded by water, baked under sun, hearing waves against rocks and sand on my feet, but its overwhelming feeling of aloneness with nature, undisturbed and free.

Picturesque Polo Island

After lunch, during low tide I was thrilled to see school of fish, fish filled coral gardens, star fish of different colors and sizes, sea urchins both edible and detrimental a sign of richness and marine diversity of Polo island.

Sea urchin aka "catmon"

sea urchin aka "Salungo" ( two of my companions got stung)

Star fish everywhere

Fresh catch, I had this for lunch

Maniwaya Island

Maniwaya Island as sun sets

At past 3pm, we were informed that Maniwaya Island was no longer crowded, thus, we decided to transfer. From Polo Island it takes 30 minutes to get there. However, with the wind and challenge of avoiding rocks visible due to low tide, it took us 45 minutes. Maniwaya is another white sand beach still untouched by commercial developers; visitors simply come by to spend the whole day swimming and exploring the shore. I was fortunate enough to see sunset while at Maniwaya Island.  Electricity is by 5 pm only and by then generators are operational. We waited until full moon rises, lying on sand staring at the sky, I simply thanked HIM for the wonderful gifts and the experience I had. 

Best as campsite

undisturbed as it can be

Day 4 – Easter Sunday

I was up early by 4am to catch first ferry ride back to Dalahican Port to depart at 6:30am. Ate Liza and her husband were generous enough to drive me to plaza where L300 vans route to Balanacan Port are stationed. I was lucky enough to have a glimpse of their “salubong prusisyon” while waiting to depart.

I remembered Engr. Cesar Montante, a retired Geodetic Engineer who had worked in Marcopper. I was introduced to him on a Black Saturday morning, he was delighted to know I am visiting Marinduque for the first time, he said “welcome to Marinduque in the very heart of the Philippines and coincidentally it’s also heart in shape”. He then asked so far, how was your stay? I simply smiled for in my heart I fell in love with MARINDUQUE.