ILOILO City – Strong faith and sincere prayers. Devotees attest to the miraculous divine intervention of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) as they celebrate her feast day today.
The Jaro patroness’ image at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral balcony is flocked by people from the entire region and other parts of the country.
Among the devotees who attested to a have received favors from the Lady of Candles was Ma. Fe Villanueva Esquillo, 59, of Barangay Jibao-an, Pavia, Iloilo.
Panay News chanced upon Esquillo at the cathedral’s prayer room. She said she has been a devotee since 1995 and offered novenas to conceive.
“Ginpangayo ko gid nga pareho sa iya may baby man ako, so nag-novena ako. Indi lang isa kundi tatlo pa ka baby ang ginhatag niya,” said Esquillo.
Her faith faced further trial when her husband died in a motorcycle accident in 2012.
That year, she was also diagnosed with uterine fibroids, or myoma.
“Na-operahan ako sa myoma, ginhambalan ako sang doctor nga may cancer. Ti, amo to dasun nga nagsaka ako diri kag naghibi kag siling ko nga, ‘Lord, tani normal lang bala ang opera sa akon kag wala complication.’ Kay siling ko wala na tatay bata ko, wala pa nanay,” Esquillo recalled her struggle, teary-eyed.
The mother of three stayed in the hospital for just four days after her operation. And her in-laws helped her raise her children. She said Candelaria heard her prayers.
Her eldest son is now employed in a cruise ship, her second son is a graduating nautical student, and her youngest daughter a first year college student.
Esquillo considered it the biggest blessing to be able to wake up every day in good health.
Candelaria, she said, protected her family during the pandemic.
“Ginhatagan ‘ya kami sang maayo nga lawas tapos tanan nga masakit namon gin-ayo niya,” she added.
Esquillo urged Ilonggos to always pray to Candelaria and never forget to be thankful.
“Balik lang kita sa iya. Sia lang ang makabulig kay ang manggad naton agi lang man. Ang importante ang Diyos ari sa aton tagipusuon, ang gugma sang Gino-o nagapuyo kag nagapalibot sa aton,” she said.
Another devotee grateful for the miracles she received from Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria was Lydia Divinagracia, 82, of La Paz district.
Despite her old age and knee pain, Panay News saw Divinagracia kneeling on the cathedral’s nave, offering prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“Maski masakit tiil ko, nagakadto gid ako diri kay kadamo gid sang nahatag ‘ya sa akon nga blessings. Amo na nga matultol gid ako nga magkadto diri pirme maskin amo ni sitwasyon ko,” said the devotee of 40 years.
She considers it a miracle that a fire spared her house. When her neighbor’s house caught fire, she remained calm and prayed to Candelaria.
“Baw, nasunogan kami, pista gid sa Jaro nadumdoman ko. Abi mo ari kami sa likod kay sa likod naghalin ang kalayo pero naglibog ang ulo ko kay naglikaw ang sunog,” said Divinagracia.
After the fire, she said, she found Candelaria’s image at their gate. It was originally placed by her window, she insisted.
Divinagracia said her faith in Candelaria strengthened. She was also grateful for her good health despite her age.
“Basta faith mo strong ihatag gid. Indi plastic nga pagpangamuyo, dapat sinsero halin sa tagipusuon kay pamatian gid ang inyo pangamuyo,” she added.
Coming from Barangay Maralag, Mambusao, Capiz, devotee Arnold Lata is also joining the religious festivities in honor of Candelaria.
He prayed: “Ginapangayo ko nga i-palayo lang kami sa disgrasya, ang pamilya ko kag mga bata ko, kag makatapos lang ang mga bata ko sa pag-eskwela nga komportable man sila sa ulihi sa ila pangabuhi kay ako nagabakas para sa pamilya ko.”
His faith in Candelaria, he said, led him to a peaceful and blessed life.
The 47-year-old father heard stories of miracles through Candelaria’s intervention and did not hesitate to visit the Marian image and offer prayers in the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral./PN
