⚔️ Pugutan: The Beheading of Longinus – A Holy Week Highlight in Marinduque

👁️ Behind the Mask: What Pugutan Really Means to Locals Like Me

Growing up in Marinduque, the Pugutan was both terrifying and fascinating to me. I remember being a child—clutching my mother’s hand, heart pounding—as a man screamed through the town, claiming Jesus had risen. That man was Longinus, the Roman centurion who regained his sight after piercing Christ’s side. And what followed? A chilling reenactment that still haunts and humbles me today.

---

🎭 The Dramatic Reenactment of Longinus’ Fate

On Black Saturday, after the somber crucifixion dramatizations of Good Friday, a sudden shift in energy overtakes the town:

• A man portraying Longinus runs through the town, loudly proclaiming Christ’s resurrection.
• Men in Morion masks—representing Roman soldiers—chase him.
• The drama unfolds in the town plaza, where Longinus is caught and beheaded in front of a gathered crowd.

It’s a staged beheading, of course—but when I was little, it felt real. The fake blood, the intense expressions, the silence before the final moment—it all made my knees wobble. Kids my age either watched in fear or hid behind their parents. But for many locals, this scene is the soul of the Moriones Festival.

---

✝️ What Pugutan Represents

🔹 Faith and Forgiveness – Longinus, despite being a Roman soldier, witnessed the truth and was converted. His death symbolizes the cost of truth.
🔹 Repentance through Drama – The actors, especially the one portraying Longinus, often take this role as a personal act of panata (devotion).
🔹 Community Participation – From costume makers to actors, almost everyone plays a role. The plaza becomes a sacred stage.

---

📌 Travel Tips if You’re Witnessing Pugutan:

🕗 Be Early. The crowd builds fast. Arrive at the plaza by 8:00 AM to get a good viewing spot.

👦 Prepare Children. The reenactment can be graphic. If traveling with kids, explain ahead that it’s all dramatized.

📸 Take Photos Respectfully. Flash photography during dramatic scenes is discouraged. Ask permission if close to performers.

🙏 Respect the Sacred Vibe. This isn’t a tourist show—it’s a spiritual tradition. Dress modestly and avoid loud conversations during the act.

🎭 Don’t Miss the Costumes! The Morion masks are hand-carved by locals and often passed down in families. Each one is unique and filled with symbolism.

---

❤️ Even as an adult, I still get chills whenever I hear Longinus’ cries echo through the town. The reenactment reminds me that faith isn’t always gentle—it can be loud, raw, and even frightening. But that’s what makes it powerful.

This isn’t just a play. It’s a legacy. A living piece of history we carry through generations.

---

📣 Come and Witness Pugutan in Marinduque
Step into a town where faith wears a mask, and tradition walks through the streets. Witness one of the Philippines’ most intense Holy Week traditions — and leave changed.

👉 Plan your visit this coming Holy Week 2025 and see how one small island keeps history and faith alive with every beat of the drum and every cry of Longinus.