Craziest Holy Week in the Philippines! - Moryonan

In the town of Boac, Philippines, Moryonan is a religious observance held annually during Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, the heart of the Philippines (puso ng Pilipinas). Moryonan is also known as the Moriones Festival. The tradition dates back to 1807 and is not observed anywhere else in the world!
The Moriones refers to the penitents who march around the town in Roman Soldier masks and costumes for seven days searching for Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye. According to legend, Longinus pierced the side of the crucified Christ. The blood that spurted out touched his blind eye and fully restored his sight. This miracle converted Longinus to Christianity which angered his fellow centurions. The Filipinos who wear the masked helmets, armor, and robes in the heat of the sun the whole week do so as a form of penance or thanksgiving.
In this video I’ll show you some of what goes on in Boac during Moryonan with one of the biggest events being Via Crucis which is a re-enactment of the suffering of Christ on his way to calvary. There is also the Marinduque Expo which also goes on during Semana Santa.
Jesus and the 2 robbers carry their crosses for over 2 kilometers around the town. They are surrounded and flogged by many Roman soldiers. Some men follow the parade of Biblical costumes and inflict suffering upon themselves by whipping their own backs and limbs while covered with red paint. They see this act as their form of atonement for their sins. After walking over 2 kilometers in the scorching heat, they finally arrive to Calvary where they act out the crucifixion.