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The festival, said to be one of the most unique Easter celebrations in the world, commemorates the martyrdom of St. Longinus, a Roman soldier who is said to have pierced Christ's side at the crucifixion. Legend has it that Christ's blood spurted to his blind eye and restored his sight. This miracle converted him to Christianity and consequently he was beheaded for betraying Pagan Rome.

Participants to the festival are called "morion" (Spanish for mask/visor). They wear huge painted masks and colorful Roman soldier inspired costumes. The act of donning this attire and roaming around town under the heat of the sun is done during Lent as a form of yearly penance by the locals of the province. Many of these penitents are farmers and fishermen.

The week long festival starts on Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday, with "Pugutan" (Tagalog for beheading), a local theatrical play reenacting the beheading of Longinus.

Marinduquenos have been celebrating this festival for over a century now.