The sheer choice of destinations in the Philippines is simply overwhelming. With 7,107 islands in its chain, choosing just one can be a daunting, let alone challenging, prospect.
To make things easier for you, there is a simple answer. Go straight to the heart of the Philippines – Marinduque.
Home of the colorful Moriones Festival, Marinduque is tipped to be the next big thing as far as Philippines tourism goes.
Expanding the tourism industry on Marinduque is just one project in the tourist ministry’s goal to attract 6 million tourist visitors to the country each year, and in identifying the island’s potential, tourism chiefs have been very astute.
According to the Philippines Tourism Secretary Albert Lim, Marinduque is a huge potential drawer for tourists.
“Marinduque has so much to offer. It has the perfect climate for all-year round tourism, it has caves, heritage houses, hot springs. And what’s more it can be accessed from land, sea and air,” Lim explained.
Lim has ordered an inventory of activities and tourist destinations on the island to be drawn up, as well as a list of areas that have development potential, in order to match them up with development companies looking for areas to expand in.
Mardinuque is already popular with both domestic and foreign tourists during the famous Battle of the Moriones, a unique festival which sees Morions, medieval Roman-like soldiers, participate in a competition where legions of contingents perform choreographed fight scenes, acting out spectacular battles.
The Battle of the Moriones is the centerpiece of the week-long Moriones Festival, which is held to mark the tale of Saint Longinus, a famous general from Roman times who was blinded in one eye. Colorful Roman costumes, brightly colored tunics and painted masks characterize one of the country’s most colorful festivals.
Another great attraction at Marinduque is the Gasang-Gasang festival during Easter weekend, where villagers and townsfolk celebrate the rebirth of Christ with colorful costumes, parades, street dances and music.
