In Zambales, devotees gather ahead of ‘Ina Poón Bato’ feast

MOTHER OF THE LORD ROCK | Devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary hold a deep reverence for the image of “Ina Poón Bato,” which they believe has healing power. In this photo taken on Sunday, the wooden image is venerated at the shrine run by the religious Iglesia Filipina Independiente or the Aglipayan church in Botolan, Zambales. (Photo by JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT / Inquirer Central Luzon)

BOTOLAN, Zambales, Philippines — Genoviva Navilla, 84, endured the physical challenges of ascending and descending a hill here to seek miraculous healing and guidance from a wooden image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday.

Accompanied by her daughter, Navilla, who came from Zambales’ town of San Antonio, was among the multitude of Marian devotees who went to the hill that day, which was three days before the actual feast day of “Ina Poón Bato” (Mother of the Lord Rock), to avoid the crowds.

Situated in the remote Barangay Loob Bunga, the shrine is run by the religious Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI or the Aglipayan church).

“Even though our knees hurt going up and down the hill, we really don’t want to miss this occasion that only happens once a year. We believe that she (Ina Poón Bato) gives us the strength to come back here,” Navilla told the Inquirer.

Navilla shared that she prayed for the health of her family and friends: “A healthy life for the whole family, that’s all. Of course, we are also thankful because we are still alive today,” she said.

Also known as “Apo Apong” (Little Queen) to locals, Ina Poón Bato is the patroness of this town, and its devotees would attend dawn Masses and participate in processions to pay tribute to her during her feast day every Jan. 24.

Every year, except at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021, people eager to touch or kiss the image would camp at the foot of the hill before joining the long line leading to the shrine.

Due to the crowds, some of the devotees would settle for a replica of the Marian image being kept at a Catholic chapel at the bottom of the hill.

Veneration

Based on historical and mythical accounts, the carved wooden statue appeared in the village of Poón Bato here centuries ago and was discovered by an Aeta.

According to elderly townsfolk, the province’s Aeta tribes had been venerating the wooden Marian image of Ina Poón Bato long before the first missionaries from the Augustinian Recollects arrived in Zambales in 1607.

In 1991, the village was devastated by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. However, despite the widespread destruction, the wooden image of the Blessed Virgin was found buried chest-deep in lahar, still intact and undamaged.

Since then, the Aeta tribe and nearby communities have been worshiping the image and attributing some miraculous events to her, describing it as a “source of healing” for various ailments.