Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document The Candelaria Mystique: History, miracles, and faith converge in Jaro By Neljoy N. Galigao -Monday, February 2, 2026 Devotees pause in silent prayer before the image of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria at her outdoor niche in the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, offering petitions and thanksgiving in an intimate moment of faith. AJ PALCULLO/PN Devotees pause in silent prayer before the image of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria at her outdoor niche in the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, offering petitions and thanksgiving in an intimate moment of faith. AJ PALCULLO/PN ALONG the quiet, slow-moving waters of the Iloilo River emerged one of Western Visayas’ most enduring symbols of faith. Carved from stone, the image of Our Lady of Candelaria carries a presence far larger than her size, anchoring centuries of belief, whispered miracles, and a devotion that refuses to fade. Her story begins humbly. In the early years of Spanish rule, a fisherman — idling by the river on what is now the La Paz side near today’s Forbes Bridge — came upon a small (barely a foot tall) stone image while playing in the water. What seemed an ordinary find quickly became extraordinary: the image was impossibly heavy. Transporting her to Jaro proved to be a trial of strength and will, but the community pressed on, united by an instinctive certainty that the image belonged among them. That shared effort sparked a devotion that would define generations of Jareños. The Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral is filled to capacity as the faithful gather for Mass, bearing witness to the deep-rooted devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria that defines the spiritual heart of Jaro. AJ PALCULLO/PN The Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral is filled to capacity as the faithful gather for Mass, bearing witness to the deep-rooted devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria that defines the spiritual heart of Jaro. AJ PALCULLO/PN Mist, Moonlight, and Morning Silence Local lore places the image most vividly in the hours before dawn. Old accounts speak of a soft, mystical mist that would envelop her niche on the pediment of the Jaro Cathedral. In these quiet hours, witnesses claimed to glimpse a beautiful lady with flowing hair — believed to be the Virgin herself — tending to her child by an artesian well nearby. The well is long gone, replaced by a concrete gazebo, but the stories remain, passed down like heirlooms of faith. These tales — drawn from the Archdiocese of Jaro souvenir programs, historical archives, and old articles — form a living oral tradition. They are not merely stories told for wonder, but memories that shape how a community understands protection, hope, and grace. War, Prayer, and Protection Perdon candles flicker as devotees light their prayers at the Chapel of Candles of the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, an act of faith symbolizing hope, protection, and unwavering devotion to the Our Lady of Candles. AJ PALCULLO/PN For many devotees, belief in the Candelaria was sealed not by legend but by lived experience. Jareña Candelaria Orleans recalls her uncle Cleto’s wartime account during World War II. As bombs fell near their air-raid shelter on Santa Isabel Street, panic gripped the families inside. Her mother cried out in Hiligaynon: “Mahal nga Birhen sang Candelaria, tabuni kami diri sa air-raid shelter!” When the bombing ceased, every member of the family emerged unharmed. For them, survival was not coincidence — it was intervention. A Stranger at the Shop Another oft-repeated story blurs the line between the earthly and the divine. A well-known Chinese store owner in Jaro once encountered a strikingly beautiful woman who came to his shop asking for precious oil for her child. Something about her stirred recognition. Only later did he realize she bore an uncanny resemblance to the image of Our Lady of Candelaria. Moved by the encounter, he placed a large image of the Virgin inside his store — a quiet, personal act of gratitude. A Virgin Who ‘Feels’ In the 1870s, as the new Jaro Cathedral neared completion, parishioners attempted to transfer the image from the old church. They failed — repeatedly. The statue would not budge from her niche. The people concluded that the Virgin herself resisted the move. Bishop Mariano Cuartero and the faithful turned to prayer. As thunder rolled and lightning split the sky, they pleaded for her consent. On February 1, 1874, after a solemn procession and fervent supplication, the image finally allowed herself to be transferred. To devotees, it was yet another sign that the Candelaria was not merely an object — but a presence that responded to reverence. Chains, Crowns, and Reverence More than a century later, in 1981, another challenge arose. Archbishop Alberto Piamonte prepared to lower the image for a special crowning by Pope John Paul II. Again, resistance — this time mechanical. The chains holding the image snapped repeatedly. It was only after Engineer “Tantoy” Locsin suggested proper reverence that the tone shifted. When Archbishop Piamonte donned full episcopal regalia, the chains finally held. The image was lowered safely, marking a moment many still recall with awe. The Growing Mystery Devotees often speak of another quiet miracle: the statue appears to grow — slowly, proportionately, almost imperceptibly. Rev. Fr. Arthur Ledesma, a true-blooded Jareño tasked yearly with preparing the image on the eve of the fiesta, attests to this mystery. “Kinahanglan sugponan ko kada tuig ang alambre sang corona kay indi na mag-igu,” he says. Whether miracle or mystery, each observation deepens the bond between the Candelaria and her people. From the Canary Islands to Jaro The devotion traces its roots to the original Virgin of Candelaria in the Canary Islands, Spain. Candlemas — celebrated every February 2 — commemorates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, traditions observed as early as 400 A.D. Candles blessed on this day are believed to offer protection from calamities, storms, and lightning. Legend records that the original image appeared in 1392 on the shores of Tenerife, discovered by two Guanche goatherds. From there, devotion spread across Spain, Latin America, and eventually the Philippines — finding one of its most fervent homes in Jaro. Faith That Endures Pilgrims stream into the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, reflecting the enduring pull of faith that continues to draw generations of devotees. AJ PALCULLO/PN Pilgrims stream into the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, reflecting the enduring pull of faith that continues to draw generations of devotees. AJ PALCULLO/PN Today, Our Lady of Candelaria is memory, refuge, and reassurance. In whispered prayers, candlelit processions, and stories retold across generations, she remains a beacon — proof that faith, once rooted deeply enough, can carry a community through war, doubt, and time itself. And as long as candles are lit every February, the story of the Candelaria will continue to glow — steady, resilient, and alive./PN Citation Citation of the article Galiagao, N. [ 2026, February 2 ]. The Candelaria Mystique: History, miracles, and faith converge in Jaro. Panay News, 4. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Candelaria Mystique: History, miracles, and faith converge in Jaro Description An account of the resource ALONG the quiet, slow-moving waters of the Iloilo River emerged one of Western Visayas’ most enduring symbols of faith. Carved from stone, the image of Our Lady of Candelaria carries a presence far larger than her size, anchoring centuries of belief, whispered miracles, and a devotion that refuses to fade. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Galigao, Neljoy Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/the-candelaria-mystique-history-miracles-and-faith-converge-in-jaro/" title="Panay News" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.panaynews.net/the-candelaria-mystique-history-miracles-and-faith-converge-in-jaro/</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 2, 2026 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Candelaria, Virgen de Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral