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[av_heading heading=’The tale of a devotee’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’16’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
By Grazeel Gindap, Intern
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February 3, 2018
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THE rustle of footsteps, cars honking. It was a busy day for the people of Jaro, Iloilo City on Friday, as guests flocked to Jaro to witness the feast of Our Lady of Candles (Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria). Each year, every 2nd of February, a feast is held in her honor.
The town is packed with different spectacles and events prepared by devoted people to showcase their culture to visitors. After a procession, devotees then attend a mass and offer their thanksgiving and prayers.
“Being a devotee is really worth it.”
Traveling from northern Iloilo, Nida Alarcon Mendoza comes to Jaro to attend the feast of Our Lady of Candles to express her gratitude to the “señora.” Every year she makes sure that they can attend the feast since it’s only a once-a-year event. She believes that when you commit yourself to the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, everything that you wish for will come true in time – just couple it with prayer, faith and hard work.
“Yes, I believe in miracles.”
Nida Alarcon Mendoza’s child was once in critical condition, pushing her to the point of putting her child’s fate onto God’s hand. No doctor could help their child so they prayed hard and approached an “albularyo.” Now, her child is even healthier than before. She revealed that they are also a typhoon “Yolanda” survivors as their house was really near the seashore. She also said that their place had to endure the worst impact, but luckily there entire family made it through the storm unscathed. Amidst everything that’s happening in her life, she was thankful to God for keeping them safe and healthy.
She said that they only wish for three things: These are guidance, safety and god health. Every time that there is a feast like this, they would always come and express their gratitude, no matter how far their homes are. She revealed that to do so, they spent the night with her sibling just so they could attend this feast without the hassle of commuting. The feast of Our Lady of Candles is the only reason why they came here – thanking the Virgin Mary for the blessings she’s bestowed on her family. She also stated that she is more than ready to serve the Our Lady of Candles and our God anytime, when she is needed.
She ended her story by saying: “Sa mga kaupod ko nga devotees, amu na e padayunon lang namun ang pagsalig sa iya kag lada tuig, gakadtu gid kmi di. Bisan amu ni ya kasako, tagaan mo gid ya tiyempo sa once a year lang man ni.”/PN
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