Marinduque Paadjao Falls

Sitio Paadjao, Barangay Bokbok, Mogpog, Marinduque 

      

     

       

This a series of gently cascading falls that settles into a 15-foot fall. Hunt for nature- formed bathtubs downstream and enjoy Jacuzzi-like effect. It is an ideal place for picnicking or camping. 

Marinduque Map (MOGPOG):

In 1942, the Japanese troops occupied the town of Mogpog, Marinduque.

In 1945, in the Second World War the liberation of the town of Mogpog, Marinduque, the American and Filipino troops fought against the Japanese Imperial forces during the Battle of Marinduque.

Historically the famous Moriones Festival is said to have originated from Mogpog. This festival is known to be one of the most colorful festivals inMarinduque and the Philippines. It's held in Mogpog and the surrounding areas of Marinduque island.

Marinduque Natangco Islet

Northwestern tip of Marinduque, off Balanacan Pier 

      

  

Natangco is an eight-hectare islet with a short stretch of powdery white sand that gradually slopes into the sea. Visitors are advised to bring water and food including tents for nature trips. Marine enthusiasts and scuba divers will find Natangco islet a haven with waters teeming with corals and marine life such as moorish idols, butterfly fishes, and an occasional sightings of manta rays, marlins, etc. 

Marinduque Map (MOGPOG):

In 1942, the Japanese troops occupied the town of Mogpog, Marinduque.
In 1945, in the Second World War the liberation of the town of Mogpog, Marinduque, the American and Filipino troops fought against the Japanese Imperial forces during the Battle of Marinduque.


Historically the famous Moriones Festival is said to have originated from Mogpog. This festival is known to be one of the most colorful festivals inMarinduque and the Philippines. It's held in Mogpog and the surrounding areas of Marinduque island.

Marinduque Bathala Cave

Barangay Ipil, Sta Cruz, Marinduque 

The Caves of Bathala are eight different caves, named Church Cave, Secret Cave, Python Cave, Cemetrey Cave, Lihim Cave, Underground Cave, River Cave and Kay Mendez Cave. They are located in a 19 hectares big area, at about 700m asl. The small karst contains even more caves, but they are not explored or named.

The biggest cave is called Kuweba ng Simbahan (Cave of the Church), as it was used for worship. It was believed to be the home of Amang Bathala, the Supreme God of the Tagalogs, the indegneous inhabitants of the Philippines. The cave is big enough for 100 people.

It seems the cave has always attracted extremists, terrorists and religious sects. The Pulajan Movement worshipped their Supreme God here to regain the potency of their amulets. They believed that their amulets could protect them from the bullets of the American colonizers and their Filipinos allies. The fanatical group was founded by Faustino Ablen, an illiterate peasant. He teclared himself Pope.

The next were the Samahang Tatlong Persona Solo Dios, who stayed at the cave for a long time during the early 1900s. This sect was formed in Mount Banahaw in Quezon by Agapito Illustrisimo. The beleive that Banahaw and Bathala Cave are spiritually connected. They still have a center at the cave.

The next cave is 100m away and called Cemetrey Cave, as it was used as a burial site. Excavations revealed earthen jars, china jars, coffin fragments and human relics, including 13 skulls. The excavation was carried out by the French archaeologist Alfred Marche.

The Python Cave is guarded by numerous living pythons. The strange thing is, that the snakes are normally dangerous and aggressive, but here at the cave they are not harmful. They are said to have never harmed visitors. Visitors even take pictures as close as 35cm. The locals explain this with the fact that the snakes are the pets of Bathala.

What to do:  Trek down to the depth of this cave and witness Rock Phytons.

Location: Sta Cruz, Marinduque Philippines

Rate: You can negotiate with the local guides. They do charge a bit but definitely affordable and it’s worth it.




Marinduque Map (STA.CRUZ):
  

In 1942, Japanese imperial forces entered and occupied the town of Santa Cruz.   In 1945, at the beginning of the Battle of Marinduque, Filipino troops of the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army came to Santa Cruz together with the guerrilla units of the Marinduque Revolutionary Army. Marinduque fought the battles against attacks from the Japanese imperial forces in the Second World War.Republic Act No. 204, approved May 28, 1948, converted the sitios of Angas of the barrio of Tagum, Biga of the barrio of Alobo, Kamandungan of the barrio of Lusok, Kilokilo of the barrio of San Antonio, and Makulapnit of the barrio of Devilla to regular and independent barrios. In 1953, the sitio of Baguidbirin was converted into a barrio.

The Great Marinduque Gasan-Butterfly Farm

Head to Gasan to see the “Butterfly Capital of the Philippines.” 

The town contributes 85% of the country’s butterfly and pupa exports. Aside from preserved butterfly souvenirs, shirts and live butterflies for sale, WHS Butterfly Farm also offers a farm tour where you can learn more about butterflies and its habitat. If you want to experience releasing butterflies in the wild, you can fulfill that fantasy at the Butterfly farm while contributing to their preservation at the same time.


These days, wishing upon a butterfly is no longer limited to wedding ceremonies. Its promises of love, life, and prosperity have brought people to believe in their power to grant a wish.  The act of wishing upon a butterfly traces its roots back to a native American legend that says, “If you have a secret wish, capture a butterfly and whisper your wish to it. Since butterflies cannot speak, your secret is ever safe in their keeping. Release the butterfly, and it will carry your wish to the Great Spirit, who alone knows the thoughts of butterflies. By setting the butterfly free, you are helping to restore the balance of nature, and your wish will surely be granted.”

Butterfly farming is one of the major industries in Marinduque. The Latin origin of the word “butterfly” is translated as “psyche” or “mind.” A plausible reason why butterflies flourish in this area is that the butterflies (mind) are in harmony with the heart of the Philippine archipelago.


When we visited the Marinduque Lepidoptera Farm in Gasan, Marinduque, we were given small triangular envelopes.  Emer Sevilla, the OIC of the butterfly farm, told us to pick one butterfly, place it inside the envelope, and say a little wish before we release it.  A few minutes before we boarded our plane back to Manila, I gingerly took the butterfly from the small envelope and whispered that one wish over and over (as if the chant has powers over the nature) before I let go of the tiny creature. 


Unknown to many, Gasan, Marinduque is responsible for 85% of the country’s butterfly and pupa export. Most of the butterfly breeders (approximately three-fourths of the butterfly breeders nationwide) are based in Marinduque. Furthermore, the industry is becoming one of the biggest businesses worldwide with an estimated Php100 million worth of exports.


The Marinduque Lepidoptera Farm started out as a hobby of owner Emer Sevilla and her late husband Dr. Carmelito Pe Sevilla. Born nature-lovers, the couple bought a small vacant lot near their house upon retirement.  They turned the space into a garden where grew and sold flowering plants, particularly orchids, and other ornamental plants.


By the year 1991, their daughter Sheila, whose academic research involved the butterfly farm industry, introduced to her parents her newfound knowledge about butterflies.  From their humble beginnings in 1991, they were able to replace their small garden with a bigger butterfly farm that turned out to be one of the biggest exporters of butterflies locally and internationally.


Marinduque Map (GASAN):

Gasan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Marinduque, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 33,772 people. The municipality is bounded by the provincial capital, Boac, to the north and east, by Buenavista to the southeast and by the Tablas Strait to the south and west. It is the second-oldest municipality in Marinduque, after Boac. Residents of Gasan are called Gaseños.


The Tres Reyes Islands off the coast of Marinduque are under the jurisdiction of Gasan, specifically under the jurisdiction of the municipality's Barangay Pinggan.

Marinduque, Home of Moriones

The term "Moriones" was concocted by the media in the 60s, but local inhabitants have kept the original term, "Moryonan". Many practitioners are farmers and fishermen who engage in this age-old tradition as a vow of penance or thanksgiving. Legend has it that Longinus pierced the side of the crucified 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. 

The Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The “Moriones” are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks – Morion means “mask” or “visor,” a part of the medieval Roman armor which covers the face.

Morion (Mask)

This is a folk-religious festival that re-enacts the story of Saint Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye. The festival is characterized by colorful Roman costumes, painted masks and helmets, and brightly-colored tunics. The towns of Boac, Gasan, Santa Cruz, Buenavista and Mogpog in the island of Marinduque become one gigantic stage. The observances form part of the Lenten celebrations of Marinduque.

The various towns also hold the unique tradition of the pabasa or the recitation of Christ's passion in verse. Then at three o'clock on Good Friday afternoon, the Santo Sepulcro is observed, whereby old women exchange verses based on the Bible as they stand in wake of the dead Christ. One of the highlights of this festival is the Via Crucis. A re-enactment of the suffering of Christ on his way to the calvary. Men inflict suffering upon themselves by whipping their backs, carrying a wooden cross and sometimes even crucifixion. They see this act as their form of atonement for their sins. This weeklong celebration starts on Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday.

Best Time To Visit, 

For most tourists who want to see the Moriones Festival, the best time to go to Marinduque is during the Lenten Season which usually starts in the Philippines at the last week of March or the first week of April. The height of the festival usually occurs around this time wherein all the six municipalities showcase their own version of the festival. After Lent, the months of April and May are also witness to other festivals such as the Kangga, the Gasang-Gasang and the May Flower Festival. History and culture appear more vibrant and colorful at this point in time. Also, airline and ferry fares usually go cheaper at this time of the year to cater to the influx of tourists.

Getting There,

BY AIR – Zest Air (formerly Asian Spirit) offers affordable flights from Manila to Marinduque four times a week with discounted fees ranging from almost P500-P1300 and regular rates for P1400-P4200. Travel time is around 45 minutes.

BY LAND AND SEA – From Araneta Bus Terminal in Cubao take buses that leave for Talao-Talao Port in Lucena City, Quezon. The fare should be around P140-P160. If you are bound for the eastern side of the island, take a ferry for Buyabod Port in Sta. Cruz. If you are bound for the western side of the island, take a ferry for Balanacan Port in Mompog. Fares should be around P350-500. If you plan to take a vehicle, you can load it up a roll on-roll off (RORO) ferry. Montenegro Shipping has a 4-storey RORO that leaves Lucena for Cawit port in Boac daily.

BY BUS (DIRECT ROUTE) – Jac Liner Incorporated, the biggest bus operator in Southern Tagalog offers direct bus routes from their terminals in Kamias, Quezon City and Buendia, Pasay to Buenavista, Marinduque. For reservations call (02) 404-2073.

COME, VISIT & ENJOY, MARINDUQUE-HEART OF THE PHILIPPINES AND HOME OF MORIONES!