April 14 to 15: Capiztahan
The hardworking farmers and fishermen of Capiz province and their bountiful harvest in the past year are feted in the founding day celebration of Capiz held in Roxas City. Activities include a food festival, wherein local delicacies are featured, job fair, agroindustrial trade and tourism fair and a concert.
April 15 to 21: Moriones
The weeklong Lenten tradition observed in all six municipalities of Marinduque province starts with a grand parade of the morions, people imitating a Roman soldier wearing a centurion mask and a body armor.
Began in the 1800s, Moriones is one of the oldest religious-themed traditions in the country.
Residents believe that wearing the heavy wooden mask and armored costume is an act of penance or vow.
Other activities are the “senakulo,” or the reenactment of the life and Passion of Jesus Christ, morion mask painting activity and film showing.
April 17 to 21: Healing Festival
Healers and herbalists from the Visayas and Mindanao come together to perform healing sessions in the annual Holy Week celebration on the island of Siquijor.
As early as March, different kinds of herbs are gathered known as “pang-alap.”
On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the gathered herbs are chopped, also called “pag-adlip.”
On Black Saturday, the herbal medicines are cooked or brewed for use or are then bottled and sold.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, officialgazette.gov.ph, malacanang.gov.ph, nhcp.gov.ph, coa.gov.ph, pia.gov.ph, Siquijor Tourism Facebook page