Hundreds of devotees joined the first-ever grand maritime procession to pay homage to the miraculous image of ‘Ina’ or Nuestra Señora de Salvacion de Joroan, held on Wednesday, May 1.
Prior to the parade, a mass was held early in the morning on the shores of Sogod, Tiwi, Albay. With 12 boats carrying the devotees and the image of Ina, the maritime procession spent almost six hours traversing the sea of Tiwi, Albay, to reach Sawangan Park in Legazpi City.
For Kurt Zepeda, a local historian and one of the devotees of Ina, this sacred event not only strengthens the faith of Albayanos but also showcases the essence of the town, as a significant percentage of the population in the Philippines is Roman Catholic.
“May petisyon kasi ako [at] bilang isang deboto, may hinihingi rin ako na sana matupad. Nag start (‘yong faith ko) no’ng bagyong Reming kasi iba yung lakas ng Reming… Nagdasal kami kay Nuestra Señora De Salvacion na makaligtas kami,” Zepeda said.
“Nakaligtas naman kami no’ng bagyo at wala naman nangyari (na masama). Maliban doon, gusto ko rin makita ang topography from Tiwi to Legazpi at syempre, maging parte na rin ng cultural event na ito.”
Furthermore, Dirk Aldren Barrion, 17, a first-time devotee who joined the maritime procession, also shared his journey. He said that it all started the day he had his accident.
“Niligtas ako ni Ina. Tinuruan niya ako kung saan ako dapat (dumaan). Tayo ang nirerepresent niyang (hinihila) para sa mga kasalanan. Tayo ‘yong hinahawakan niyang anak sa [imahe ni Ina] para hindi tayo mahulog sa kasalanan (ng mundo),” Barrion said.
Fr. Joseph Salando, the parish priest and pastor of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Salvation in Joroan, Tiwi, Albay, expressed the success of the sacred event by highlighting the intensity of the devotee’s desire to help for the sake of the blessed mother.
“Bunga ito ng pagbabahagian ng mga ninanais ng puso. Bunga ito ng pagpa-pangarap na naka-ugat sa mahal na Ina at ‘yong pagmamahal na iyon ay bunga ng pagmamahal ng Ina sa atin. ‘Yong mga milagro na naranasan ng mga tao, ‘yong personal na relasyon nila sa mahal na Ina, bunga ito ng mga pag-uusap ng mga taong may ganitong karanasan,” he said.
Salando also encouraged everyone to pray and work towards the possibility of it happening again next year, hoping for everyone to experience and extend the presence of Ina in their lives.
“Dahil nakarating po ang ating mahal na Ina nang safe, so, masasabi nating maganda ‘yong daloy at masaya ‘yong pagdating niya. Dahil matiwasay, ‘yong paglalakbay niya. Ating ipanalangin at pag-ibayuhin na maulit pa ito,” he added.
The devotees attended the Grand Marian Procession, which included over 50 images of the Blessed Virgin Mary from different parts of the Philippines.
The Grand Marian Procession passed the route from Sawangan Park, Legazpi, to St. Gregory Church (Albay Cathedral) at 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
These blessed activities mark the beginning of the celebration for the Magayon Festival this year. | Lyzha Mae Agnote, Gabby Bajaro