ILOILO City – Days before today’s February 2 feast of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, devotees from across Western Visayas began flocking to the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, driven by testimonies of prayers answered and a deep-seated belief in the miraculous intercession of Jaro’s patroness.
Long queues formed at the cathedral balcony where the Marian image of Our Lady of Candles is displayed, a familiar sight every year as devotees light candles, whisper petitions, and offer thanksgiving for what they believe are blessings granted through faith.
Among them was Cecil Hobrador, 67, a resident of Kalibo, Aklan who traveled to Iloilo City to pray with his family.
Hobrador said her devotion began in childhood, passed down by her grandmother, a longtime devotee of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.
“My sister had breast cancer and we prayed. Nag-ayu sia,” Hobrador said, describing what she considers a clear sign of divine intervention.
She added that their family continues to pray not only for healing, but also for good health, stability, and success in their respective pursuits.
“Ang mga prayers ko sa iya, when I lit a candle, nagaka-answer man. Very effective sia because of faith man siguro. Very close kami kay God ever since kay ang lola ko was a devotee of Candelaria,” she said.
The Hobrador family has made it a panata to join Holy Week processions in Jaro and to keep Candelaria candles at home, believing these offer spiritual comfort during emergencies.
Similar sentiments were shared by Monita Basa, 60, of Barangay Barrido, Ajuy, Iloilo who has been a devotee since 2002. She arrived at the cathedral a day before the feast to attend Mass and offer prayers, carrying candles she said her family lights during times of calamity or crisis.
“Daw kaayo lang sang amon pangabuhi kung makakadto kami sa iya kada tuig,” Basa said, adding that her constant prayer is simply for good health for her family. “Ang paghatag kanamon sang maayo nga lawas kag wala pagmasakit sobra-sobra na ina nga milagro. Importante daan subong ang ikaayong lawas kay kon magmasakit kaw, wala ka gid sang maobra.”
Basa also urged younger generations to return to faith, saying daily life becomes lighter when anchored in prayer: “Wala sang imposible kung magbalik ka sa iya kay kon indi ka magbalik indi ya ka pagtagaan sang maayo nga pangabuhi.”
Eva Borja, 59, of Lambunao, Iloilo, also visited the cathedral ahead of a scheduled medical check-up. Managing conditions such as high blood pressure and asthma, Borja said she prays before every laboratory test.
“Kon magpa-laboratory ako, nagakadto gid ako anay sa iya tapos nagagwa nga okay ang result ko,” Borja said, describing clear test results as a blessing she attributes to faith, coupled with discipline in taking medication and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
This year, Borja said her prayers go beyond personal health, asking for a good future for her children and relatives and a deeper closeness to God.
Today, church officials expect the steady stream of devotees to grow, underscoring the enduring role of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria in the spiritual life of Ilonggos and other faithful in Western Visayas./PN
