Our Lady of Wawa

I was just actually bored and stumbled upon some image of the Our Lady of Wawa, and decided that it would be a great subject for editing. The original image of the Virgin Mary is very interesting since it is an important image left by the Spaniards to our culture. Honored by many miracles witnessed by the people of Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas, the image continuously bless the life of devotee around the province. I was actually there last May 10 to attend the feast and I was happy to witness the Caracol specially the devotion of the elders in dancing to pay homage to the guidance the our lady brings.

Tags: Nuestra Senora dela Paz y Buen Viaje de Wawa, Mahal na Ina ng Kapayapaan at Mabuting Paglalayag, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage of Wawa

Here is the original story, courtesy of Patrick Elvas from flickr

Nstra. Sra. de la Paz y Buen Viaje-Brgy. Wawa, Nasugbu Batangas

History of Veneration and Image:
 Barangay Wawa's image bears the same title as that of Our Lady of Antipolo. The story of how it came to Wawa. Pablo Bolintiam, an employee of the Ayala-Roxas Family in the late 1800's, served in the hacienda well. As a result, the daughters of Dona Margarita Roxas de Ayala, namely, Dona Trinidad and Dona Carmen, asked him whether he would like any land for his dedicated service. Instead of land, Pablo Bolintiam asked for the image of the Virgin Mary which the Roxas Family had in their hacienda home in Nasugbu. Two other hacienda employees chose tracts of land. The generous and religious daughters of Dona Margarita were very happy with Pablo's request and gladly gave the Roxas family imagen to Pablo Bolintiam's family. From then on Our Lady lived at the Bolintiam home. She was given the title Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje in honor of Our Lady of Antipolo.
 The Roxas y Cia family donated the land for the chapel to the Archbishop of Lipa. The pious residents of Wawa were able to build a modest chapel made of wood. After Sunday mass, the image of Our Lady returned to the safety of the Bolintiam home. When a stone chapel was built, Saint Francis Xavier Parish gave the old altar to Wawa. There Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje was placed in the altar.
 The patron of Wawa has always been attentive to the prayers of the people. In thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of fish, the fishermen hold a joyful procession at sea called the "karakol" which is Spanish for "snail" (because the boats travel slow). Every May 10th the faithful devotees travel from distant places to dance with her image to the Nasugbu Bay and back to the church.
 In times of calamities such as powerful storms, tidal waves, and natural disasters the people ask for the Virgin Mary's help so that God will aid them for their safety. And she never fails to ask God, because God answers all of her requests.
 

During the Japanese War, a canonball was fired towards the Bolintiam home. The wall where her altar stood was totally damaged but the image of Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje was not even touched. The canonball went through the wall and went pass through the other wall. When the Japanese confiscated Pablo Bolintiam's home, the residents fled to the mountains taking Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje with them for safe keeping. At the end of the war, she was returned home. Since that time, she was given a procession during every last day of the month. The practice only stopped in the 1970's. Nevertheless, she continues to protect Wawa.

Here is the image:

I have made he ocean as a reference to the Our Lady's voyage continuously throughout these years.