Monday, September 30, 2013

EL PUEBLO AMANTE DE MARIA



“My soul magnifies the Lord

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;

Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmade;

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;

Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is His name…”

 
                                                                            -    Luke 1:46-55

 

“Woman, behold your son.  Son, behold your mother”

 

               -            John 19:26-27







The Philippines is known as “el pueblo amante de maria” or the town in love with Mary.  The Blessed Virgin Mary, La Gran Madre de Dios, to whose immaculate heart the entire Philippines was consecrated.
 
On July 16, 1935, Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared by Pope Pius XI as the secondary patron saint of the Philippines, the tradition probably originated because of the ties of Spanish Manila with Mexico, another Spanish colony.  However on September 12, 1942 a Papal Bull was by Pope Pius XII declaring that the Immaculate Conception is the principal and universal patroness of the Philippines.  
 
The country had been united with Mary from the time the Philippines was Christianized by the Spaniards.  We all love the woman that Jesus gave us on the cross to be our own mother, and to her we seek maternal protection.
 
But many protestant or fundamentalist sects look down on Mary as if Jesus had became the “Word that became flesh that dwelt amongst us (John 1:14)” without Mary.  To deny Mary is to deny the divinity of Jesus, that our redemption would not be possible at the right moment if Mary did not say “Fiat”.
 
The protestant churches accuse Catholics of worshipping Mary and other Saints, and look at it as idolatry.  But we do not worship Mary but only honor her as the earthly mother of Jesus and her role in man’s redemption.
 
Non-Catholics may have rejected Mary but paradoxically non-purist Muslims do honor Mary.  The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mariam in Arabic, has a very exalted place in Muslim belief as the birth of Mary is found in the Quran, and the entire 19th Chapter of the Quran is named specifically after her (“A Muslim for Mary”, Washington Post, December 9, 2010).
 
Mary, the mother of Isa (Jesus) is to Muslims, as she is to most Christians, “the greatest woman who ever lived, one who never sinned, conceived herself without sin, a virgin impregnated by God, who was assumed into heaven after her earthly life.  August 15, the Catholic feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven is holy also to Muslims for the same reason, and is therefore a national holiday in Lebanon (Muslim Mary and the Hope for Islam’s Conversion, the Christians.com).”
 
“The Quran names no woman except Mary, and says about her than the bible does, much of it taken from the apocryphal Gospel of James (ibid)”.
 
“A woman of the house of Imran (Joachem) prayed: ‘O my sustainer! Behold. Unto Thee do I bow (the child) that is in my womb to be devoted to Thy service.  Accept it, then, from me: ‘O my sustainer! Behold, I have given birth to a female… and I have named her Mary, and verily, I seek Thy protection for her and her offspring against Satan, the accursed (3:35-36).”
 
In the Philippines, particularly in Zamboanga City in Mindanao, the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar) is venerated both by Muslims and Christians.
 
In fact it was a Muslim friend who took me to the outdoor shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar in Fort del Pilar (formerly known as Real Fuerza de San Jose) for the afternoon mass.  I attended the daily mass there during my entire stay in Zamboanga a few years back.
 
The veneration of Mary by muslims in Zamboanga is not only anchored in the Quran but from their own experience of Mary’s maternal protection.
 
Legend has it that she was the same Lady seen by many “standing in mid-air over Basilan Strait on September 21, 1897 with her right hand raised to signal the onrushing waves to stop, saving Zamboanga City from a tsunami (Josephine Darang, “Muslims and Christians Venerate Our Lady of the Pillar, Philippine Daily Inquirer).”
 
I first heard this story from my aunt many, many years ago.
 
So many children, both males and females, have been named Maria or their names preceded by Maria.  Similarly so many towns have Mary in her many titles as their patroness.   “The oldest Marian icon dating back to 1571, later known as Nuestra Senora de Guia (Our Lady of Guidance), now venerated in Ermita church in Manila (Jose Maria Antonio “Anton” Quintos Luat).”
 
The second oldest icon is that of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga, the Patroness of Cavite City.  The icon was “found in 1600s by Jose, a young Spanish Sentry, at the entry port known as Porta Vaga (Puertang Bago or New Door).
 
‘Another version of the story was that the icon was found in the morning after the supposed apparition of Our Lady to the soldier (Philippine Marian Website).
 
The image has miraculously survived and remained intact after a lightning bolt and other calamities hit its hermitage.  Many other miracles are attributed to it.
 
Coastal towns often have Señor San Raphael Arkangel (St. Raphael the Arch Angel, Feast day is October 24)) as patron saint while farming towns have San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore the worker or farmer whose feast day is May 15) as its patron saint.
 
But most other towns, barangays or cities have the Blessed Virgin as their patron saints, the most popular of which include Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima, Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) of Antipolo City, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, popularly known as Virgen de la Naval de Manila venerated in Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City, Our Lady of Manaog in Pangasinan, Our Lady of Perpetual Help with its national shrine in Baclaran, Or Lady of the Miraculous Medal also with a national shrine in Posadas Village, Sucat, Paranaque, and Our Lady of Peñafrancia (Patron Saint of Bicol Region) in Naga City whose feast day is celebrated on the third Saturday of September with a fluvial procession and the traditional “translacion” (transfer) from the Basilica Minore to Naga Metropolitan Cathedral procession a week before.
 
Sadly, only a few know of Nuestra Senora de Salvacion or Our Lady of Light as she is known in other places.  She is the Diocesan Patron Saint of the Diocese of Legazpi in Albay, or Albay province’s patron saint and her feast day is on every third Saturday of August.
 
Who would really know or be interested in a centuries old image housed in a small chapel on a hill in a remote barangay? 
 
One may find both spiritual and corporal solace in her shrine in a hill that overlooks Lagonoy Gulf.  Just sitting on the church’s front steps one could experience inner peace in the view of the tranquil sea below, with the cold winds from the east blowing your worries away, and the assurance of knowing that The Lady is watching from the altar behind.
 
Translating for this blog the history of Our Lady of Salvation from the old Bikol verse written by Fr. Lamberto S. Fulay is my limited capacity’s way for Our Lady of Salvation to be made known and encourage devotion to her. 
 
I intended this translation of the first part to be published on Mama Mary’s birthday on September 8, 2013 or on the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia on September 21, 2013 but I was unable to finish it.  I encountered difficulty with the typographical errors of the text attendant to auto corrections of computers and the absence of precise English words for the more specific words of the early Bikol dialect of the first district of the province.
 
Only Part 1 was translated as the two other parts of the history deal more on how the image is finally enshrined in the barrio of Joroan rather than in the town of Tiwi.
 
Maybe it is Our Lady’s wish that this be published on the Holy Rosary month of October.





In the original 18th Century image, the Virgin Mary is portrayed as carrying the Child Jesus in her left arm. Her right arm on the other hand is gestured as depicting her saving power by holding in his wrist a man  who is about to fall to the devouring head of the devil. An angel is also portrayed as kneeling at the foot of the Blessed Virgin and can be seen as offering to the Child Jesus a basket full of burning hearts. The Child Jesus is also holding in his right hand a burning heart while his left hand is stretched out in the act of accepting the hearts offered by the angel (Wikipedia).



 






HISTORIA DE IMAGEN MILAGROSA DE LA

NUESTRA SENORA DE SALVACION



(Translated by the blogger from the original Bicol verses written by


Rev. Fr. Lamberto Solano Fulay, a native of the Town of Barcelona, Province of Sorsogon.  Installed on January 1926, he is the first Parish Priest of Joroan,
 where the miraculous image is venerated.)


 

 

FIRST PART
 
 



History of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Salvation, patron saint venerated
in the Parish of Joroan (Tiwi, Albay).
 
 
In time immemorial or in previous times, Barangay Joroan is named as Cagnipa  and is a part of Buhi, Province of Camarines Sur now it is called.
 
 
During that time there was in Buhi a well-known man named Don SilverioArcilla
and a vast property in Joroan or Cagnipa he owned
whose care taker is one Mariano Dacuba,  a salt maker he is.
 
 
One day, while the tenant Mariano Dacuba was clearing parts of the hacienda,
a big Calpi tree he chopped as firewood to be or a house to prop.
 
 
Although already cut off in the base for quite a time, the leaves did not wilt
and the tree’s maintained its life and freshness preserved.
 
 
The tenant to Buhi proceeded and about it Don Arcilla informed,
and the latter the Friar Pastor of Buhi consulted
 
 
 
The Calpi tree infront of the convent was brought and Bagacumba,
a sculptor, was summoned from the tree trunk an image to fashion.
 
 
 
Out of tree were three images made, that of Our Lady of Salvation now in Joroan and St. Anthony of Padua in Buhi, 
the Virgin of Solitude in Tambo is the third.
 
Through Don Silverio’s dispositions, a chapel was built in the Barangay’s center where people can converge on Sundays and fiestas. 
Designated as “hermana” or caretaker of the precious image
was Sotera Cababag, a widow of age.
 
 
During those times, when Christians are common targets
of Muslim marauders from Mindanao, the Virgin of Salvation became famous because of miracles attributed to it.   When the Muslims came to attack
the barangay and the chapel, the residents in fear
to the image of the Lady for protection they flocked.
 
 
Indeed the might of the Virgin was truly great that nobody was captured
neither the chapel or houses were burned  it failing to ignite.
 
 
Deliverance from the hands of the Muslim marauders
was the first miracle for the people of Joroan,
it was here that the  fame of the miraculous image started.  
 
 
Deep faith of the people, of the residents of Joroan specifically, 
this miracle followed, the month nor the year was not known
as to when this great wonder occurred,
but it was during the tenure of Monsenor Grijalbo as Bishop.
 
 
 
 
 
Again, the Muslim raiders  came in big ships and in the Barrio of Joroan landed
for the purpose of abducting anyone they see,
the people in panic to the hills they went.
 
 
During this time the caretaker was the widow Sotera Cababag still,
a devotee of their patron Virgin of Salvation
and to watch over the image was the only one left.  
It was perhaps God’s will that into the hands of the raiders she fell,
though the image was left unharmed.
 
 
When Tiray was taken aboard the ship, it was but the image that was in her mind, and also of her companions that know not to her has happened.
 
 
Her whole life to the Blessed Virgin she offered
and thought that what happened to her is in accordance with God’s will.
 
 
When they reached the land of the Muslims, Sotera or Tiray
before the Chieftain was presented who immediately ordered
that a place be given where she can stay.
 
 
When she was separated from the rest of the captives,
she found comfort in a small garden in her dwelling place maintained 
But the tears that flowed freely down in her face cannot be retold,
Each time she recalls devotion to the image of the Virgin that she delights.
 
 
A year passed when the magistrate ordered that all captives
in one place be gathered and those to be made slaves will be chosen.
 
 
This is when the widow was truly alarmed, that her whole body trembled,
and to her beloved Lady of Salvation help she asked,
that from the hands of the enemy she be spared.
 
 
 
It was in prayer and submission to God and the Virgin  that she fell asleep,
and in deep slumber her head on the house’s walls rest.
 
 
All the people of Barangay Joroan thought  Hermanang Titay has died,
that Dominga del los Reyes, in all her gentleness,
was chosen Sotera Cababag to replace. 
 
 
When Sotera  or Hermanang Tiray opened her eyes,
a white deer that she saw she followed.
That she followed when it walked away over mountains while it is still visible.
 
 
So strange, so difficult to believe through mountains she followed
but in a short time that deer she trailed
she came to realize in the town of Legazpi she was .
 
 
In the locality of Legazpi came to vanish
 From the land of Mindanao the deer she pursued,
and dry she remained in spite of the waters of the sea---- so it was said
 
 
Rightly it cannot be described the jubilation of all the people of barrio Joroan
with Tiray’s astonishing  return, that as the Virgin’s keeper again she was chosen .
 
In this miracle, Tiray the Hermana’s phenomenon was the second
since the year the Virgin of Salvation became Patron of Joroan’s chapel.
 
 
In fear that again the muslim people would come,
 in Joroan a new chapel was erected on the hills from the plains.
 

In this place Tiray had died, a few years after the virgin she  again cared.
Weakness out of old age she suffered, last sacraments she received
before later she breathed her last.
 
 
Dominga, who in Joroan is prominent, a devotee too of the Blessed Virgin
 and once a Hermana , was named as replacement.

 
In 1853, a treaty was made by the leaders, the principals and heads of Joroan,
and so with the authorities of Joroan.
 
  
During this time, Fr. Antonio Guardalajara, the Parish Priest,
and Mariano Buenaflor, the Gobernadorcillo holds command
in the  Church of Buhi and the municipality.
 
 
In the Tribunal of Buhi the decree was made,
 on the 21st day of the month of January, Sebastian Quebral,
Agrabaule Jacintowere witnesses to the documents signed.
 
 
For the Image of the Lady of Salvation  
Fifty pesos was the contributions  in Joroan collected
with the complementary bell was twenty-five pesos, seventy-five pesos in all.
 
 
This decree was authored by the Friar Sr. A. Guardalajara,
which the entire town has consented
to that the Gobernadorcillo also had signed. 
 


The man entrusted with this document, representing the whole of the barrio,
was the chief obeyed by the people, who the contract made accepted.
 
 
Again I will say , the third miracle of the image of the Lady of Salvation
situated in the mountain, that this happened to one person,
a Catandugnanon and to the Virgin a devotee.
 
 
There is one man in Catanduanes , in a pilgrimage he embarked
to the Virgin that he is a devotee, and also to St. Anthony
which a miraculous saint is in the town of Buhi.
 
He was with three persons,
from a far place to the barrio of Joroan they came.
Wax candles to be lighted they carried.
 
 
They had luck in their voyage, from all perils they were spared,
that the wind was in the favor and the sea was calm
that their lives had been safe.
 
 
When in Joroan they arrived, the three went to Buhi as it was their wishes,
they have wax candles for St. Anthony to be offered,
with the remaining candles on their return to be lighted.
 
 The one person that was left to care
 the boat and candles to watch,
 in boredom in the seashore he walked, barrio of Joroan.
 
 
 When the afternoon became dark an old woman she saw,
a child so beautiful she bears and to him came near.
 
 
How would it be if one candle to me you lend,
in a dark mountain  to light in the night that to us nears?
 
 
His answer was, so sorry old woman,
the candle you ask me now my master has but entrusted,
that on their return this for the Virgin will be lighted.
 
 
Again the old woman to him  declared,
for that worry not so much  to you it will be returned
early next morning in the mountain that is our home.
 
 
With such plea, the man had pitied,
where in the mountain is your home
that when my master arrives in early morning  there I will go?
 
When you arrive up in the mountain to the Chieftain you ask,
as one with compassion my house so easy you will find.
 
 
When the old woman the candle took that the man gave,
she bid goodbye and again said,
may by God almighty you be repaid.
 
 
So great was the man’s wonder of the old woman’s trust in him,
 a fine woman, holy in her ways, 
that perfectly it will be proclaimed like a river said.
 
 
That because of that conduct her name to ask he forgot
Of the lady that appeared.
And when in the west the sun was gone, 
of loneliness his person was filled.
 
 
More was his awe when he looked up
  Marvelously the woman walked he see
with the candle burning so bright,
more intensely than any torch its light.
 
 
If not for distress of that man for the candle
that his master has entrusted be lost,
early next morning he seek
the wonderful woman he had met.
 
 
When up the hill he came
 in the hill’s central is the chieftain’s house he asked,
if the woman there was well known.
 
An old woman said the chief, it seems,
there is nothing I can advise
but in the Hermana there you can ask
 if this old woman she knows.
 
 
 
This man immediately he went
to Hermanang Ingga her name,
whose answer to him was she knows not who
this old woman that he pursue.
 
 
If you choose, you come first
in that small chapel across my home
 that in the Virgin’s compassion 
a miracle you might find.
 
 
In the Virgin’s chapel he came
 the candle entrusted to him he seek,
but fear came to him that he wanted to flee,
 when the candle in Virgin’s fore  he see.
 
 
It mystified him no end
that the candle borrowed  was still unspent,
 it’s length at least
 is the same before it was borrowed.
 
 
He knelt unable to speak
in their conversation he recalled,
the old woman that he was amazed,
in the image it was her face.
 
 
He stopped and dared not the candle take,
forgiveness  for transgression he asked
and from all evil he be spared.
 
 
 
 
For so long he was unable to speak
of that incident so confounding ,
that when his master arrived
of these miracles he informed.
 
 
So great were his companions’ regret
that it was the Lady of Salvation that was neglected
when it was but proper to first visit
 and  the idea to go to Buhi was a mistake.
 
 
They hasten to go up the image
known for miracles to see,
for God’s forgiveness they asked 
and lighted all the candles they have.
 
 
After thanks they have given 
they embarked the boat out to the sea
to Catanduanes sailing swiftly they will go, 
as coming from the south-west is the wind.
 
 
A fourth miracle attributed
to the  image of Salvation in the mountain  so true,
one great wonder to be exact,
peace started in barangay Joroan.  
 
 
One occasion that again
 the moros in the mountain all thought to climb,
but upon seeing a thousand armed men retreated
 and later never came back.
 
 
 
 
With this they became wary,
 the force of adventurous moors hindered,
as when in Joroan a famous point they entered
 there in the shore armed forces they said.
 
 
In this place Hermanang Dominga Reyes also died
so full of grace in illness the sacraments she received
 the whole barrio she was assisted.
 
 
The leader of the Barrio in this era
 of the Virgin’s image replaced as caretaker,
gave the authority to all people
 in chapel of the Virgin God be worshipped.
 
 
When Camarines-Albay was sought to be identified 
boundaries of two provinces were organized,
that was when from the town of Buhi the barrio of Joroan
now a parish was separated.
 
 
Because of this to Tiwi and Buhi a big question came,
which to this two belongs Joroan.
 
 
The right of Tiwi over Joroan
Captain Vicente Vera had the say,
because his property in this barrio
a land so vast to the town is near.
 
 
This happened in Spanish times
when Peñaranda was the magistrate in Albay,
that the consequential disposition
the barrio of Joroan to the town of Tiwi will belong.
 
 
 
 
Since Capitan Vicente has won
 in declaration that to Tiwi Joroan belongs,
 as it is his property Joroan the barrio
therefore all belongs including the Image in it.
 
 
The more that it was known,
miraculous Salvacion in barrio of Joroan,
in Albay and town of Tiwi
pilgrims in thousands to visit came.
 
 
Came peace in the barrio of Joroan
from the  hand of the moros free, 
the people have thought in the center of the barrio
  a church to be built to house the Salvacion.
 
 
When the chapel was raised in the barrio’s seat,
the image of Salvacion in the hill is seen, 
to the deceased Hermana to replace
was Doña Clara de Vera the people chose.
 
 
A great devotee this Doña Clara
a caretaker she swore to be,
of the Virgin of Salvation Patron of Joroan,
 so long as she lives.
 
 
Because that she is rich,
the body of Salvacion and of Sto Niño
 in silver with gold enfolded,
which expenses she voluntarily offered.
 
 
Words left by this Doña Clara  
that the succeeding caretakers would be,
 her children, grandchildren
and descendants so long as they live.
 
Since then and until now the pledge has been followed,
that to care for the Holy Image
 is her child or grandchild
 in the barrio of Joroan.
 
 
Much of the desire of Doña Caday that a church be built,
Saturnina de Bavot of the town of Tabaco
she pleaded if she can be of help.
 
 
To the plea to refuse she did not,
straight away she gave a great sum
 as endowment to the Virgin
as both of body and soul a devotee she is.
 
 
During this time in Manila, there was a man of wealth renowned,
to Hermana Doña Clara was acquainted,
Don Manuel Casas he is known.
 
 
One day in his abode to his mind he should go out, 
 in the serene weather outside
it was a woman from the stairway that he saw.
 
 
What is it that you wish
in my house at this time oh woman.
 I am here to listen to what you will say
and be assured that I will obey.
 
 
Have pity if you please to help me
that in the barrio of Joroan my house being built,
at this hour is not yet complete, poor as I am.
 
 
In no time he answered, yes oh woman
worry not to the concern that you said,
it is my disposition that I will give.
 
 
This Don Manual Casas wasted no time
 to obtain what can be sent,
to the Barrio of Joroan the destination was,
a master worker and galvanized roofings he sent.
 
 
His architect he sent,
as the master commissioned was unwell, 
he has paralysis and rheumatism as well.
 
 
That when the barrio of Joroan he reached
and saw the house promised to be built,
he was certain that it was a Church
that the measurements  to his master he sent.
 
 
Maybe the result of his trip,
extreme illness he suffered,
at times to walk he was unable
that he has to be carried when the works started.
 
 
For three days he was carried,
relief on his body he has felt
 that on the day exactly the ninth,
 from all infirmities he was freed.
 
 
This was the fifth miracle that happened
truly on that time,
in this small place barrio of Joroan,  
Virgin of Salvacion she has done.
 
  
When the church of Joroan was erected,
of medium size with zinc roofs it was
then the Miraculous Virgin
 to the town was brought.
 
 
Later will I speak
when this image of the Virgin Mary was brought,
the sixth miracle first I will say
of Salvacion in the sanctuary made.
 
 
So amazing what happened then
as there was a boat from Partido came,
 that really with so many people was packed,
the fiesta of Salvacion  was them to attend.
 
 
The story had happened
on the month of May in eighteen eighty-four,
vesper day of the barrio’s fiesta,
the weather was good and sea so calm.
 
 
When said boat reached opposite Mayong,
a barrio now part of the Parish of Joroan,
 unexpectedly as they were sailing
so swiftly the craft they were riding
with water was flooded.
 
 
The cause of the accident it was told
 a squall it was  that came,
that when the boat tilted to counter it quickly they failed
and at midpoint waters had entered.
 
 
All the people were drenched
and thought even the clothes they have packed,
but when their clothes they opened all were dry as if ironed just now.
 
All those who sailed have said
that what has happened is astonishing,
they were spared from death or danger
and clothes in the boat were not even wet.
 
 
A seventh miracle or again a phenomenon was,
of two of those cows that was begged
during those times
for the Virgin of Salvation in barrio of Joroan.
 
 
The story was that there in Tigaon
was an affluent man with many a cattle,
Gregorio Baduria he is called that in this town he is well-known.
 
 
One day when the hour was in the afternoon
an old woman with a child so delightful,
 to him speak and requested that a cow be donated
in Joroan be butchered.
 
 
Have pity she said to him that to me a cow you give,
as my house being repaired
 in the place named Joroan is full of people you see.
 
 
This Don Gregorio did not refuse
 two cows he had pledged,
to Joroan all were sent
even if that person is to him a stranger.
 
 
As he know not the name of the old woman
 to the Hermana the cattle were sent
 there of the Virgin’s image was the caretaker
and of the church of Joroan she is charged with the repairs.
 
 
 
I will also narrate the gladness in honoring the image of Salvation,
that was done in the town of Tiwi and also in the barrio of Joroan.
 
 
In honor of the image of Salvacion as the fiesta in the town nears,
the image is taken from the barrio of Joroan
with all the priests attending.
 
 
Then it was said during those times
if in the town would be a novena for the Patroness
the image of Salvacion from Joroan is taken,  
the people so joyous and so many.
 
 
If it is sailed, and so it is walked
when taken and the Virgin to Joroan returned,
with musical band and the way so many people filled.
 
 
Again I will state that in eighteen ninety-five
a great typhoon came,  
the Church of the Virgin in the barrio’s heart
 in absence of strength was completely destroyed.
 
The eight miracle all were  astonished
that when this church was ruined,
outside of the altar image of Salvacion
was not even drenched not damaged.
 
 
If it is but observed  it seems
everything in church was ravaged,
but when the Holy Image was seen
in the morning all truly they were amazed.
 
 
True that the image before the typhoon to the sea it faced,
but in the morning to the back of the barrio it faces.
 
 
What was left to be rebuilt
was half of the church that only the Virgin will be housed,
 which in no time this too was gone.
 
 
This was when in the town of Tiwi 
the image of Salvacion was placed,
 Father Francisco Borondia gave the condition
that only after a church had  been built
that the image will be returned.
 
 
Wonders that happened in Tiwi
that in this story may have failed to include,
but time will come that all these will be known
as the facts many men have witnessed.
 
  
In those time when there was no church
the people of Joroan the  image of Salvacion  has borrowed,
as the fiesta they agreed was in May.
 
 
For so long Joroan has suffered
 as the image of Salvacion soon was not returned,
that of losing it completely was even a possibility. 
expenses and grudges as well they incurred.
 
In great desire of the people of Joroan
 that the Holy Image they get back, 
 in the middle of the barrio a chapel was built
Patroness Salvacion there to stay.
 
All miracles cannot be retold in a single tale 
but to be passed on one by one,
however all of these  can only be proved
but by the thousand Christian who witnessed.
  
Now it can be said in the second part
Joroan to be a parish to Salvacion will be a great help,
for so long to God it was asked
that the image will be returned and a priest be given.
 
 
 
 
End of part 1
 

 
 
 
“Resuene vibrate el himno de amor

Que entona tu pueblo con grata y emocion

Patrona del Bicol Gran Madre de Dios

Se siempre la Reina de Nuestra Region…”

 

 

-      Himno a la Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia (ResueneVibrante)

-      by Fr, Maximo Hueguera, 1924

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
In

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