Devotion to Lady of Piat

THE MIRACULOUS image of the Our Lady of Piat. VAUGHN ALVIAR

PIAT, Cagayan—Yena Tam Ngamin.”

This Ibanag term for “Mother of All” welcomed some 50,000 pilgrims who flocked to Piat, a town by the Cagayan River, on July 2 to ensure that the devotion to the Our Lady of Piat continues.

“Many miracles happened here,” said Msgr. Jose Othello Bartolome, referring to the basilica minore, which hosts the image of the Nuestra Señora de Piat, patroness of Cagayan Valley.

The image, distinct for its dark complexion, celebrated its 400th year in Cagayan in 2004.

Bartolome, who was assigned as rector to Piat in 2010, marveled at the deep faith and devotion of Cagayanos to the Lady of Piat. “They are very devoted … Many come more than twice a year,” he said, noting that many offer prayers for good health and success in business and other endeavors.

Pilgrims and tourists start arriving in Piat, which is about 40 kilometers from the capital Tuguegarao City, as early as two weeks before the Sambali Festival, which is celebrated on the first day of the Novena Mass on June 23 and culminates on the Our Lady of Piat’s feast day on July 2.

Devotees Elimor Andrada and Gabriel Turo, who live in Barangay Fugu in nearby Tuao town, said they were acting as citizen patrols during the feast and procession to thank the Our Lady of Piat for their good health.

Andrada and Turo said they were brought up by their parents believing that the image saved Tuao from floods in the early days.

Luz Agcaoili, 50, traveled from Buguey town to continue her 20-year devotion. She has been praying for good health and wishing for a bountiful harvest.

“She has given us much already,” said Agcaoili, who hired a bus so she could bring with her 40 of her townmates to Piat.

Hipolito Mamauag, 63, said their great great grandparents passed on the family’s devotion to the Our Lady of Piat. “As long as we’re alive, we will continue coming here yearly, just like our elders,” he said.

Fray Julian Malumbres O.P., in his book “Historia de Cagayan,” said the statue of the Our Lady of Piat was created by a sculptor in Macau in 1600. Historical accounts showed that the image saved Cagayanos from a severe drought that killed farm animals and devastated farmlands in 1624.

Pilgrims have also started visiting a spring in the town, called “Ubbug” (Ibanag term for spring) or “Bukal ng Buhay” (Spring of Life), whose water, they believe, has healing powers.

“I am neutral on this issue. I am not endorsing it (referring to the supposed miraculous spring water) but I am not saying [that the pilgrims’ belief that they would be cured] is right or wrong,” Mayor Leonel Guzman said.

Bartolome said the Catholic Church was taking a “wait and see” position on the issue, saying miracles attributed to the spring should be documented and studied before it is endorsed as a holy place.