"Ave Maria, Viva Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria!"

Devotees chanted as they celebrated the Feast in honor of the Our Lady of Candles (Candelaria), patron of Western Visayas, on February 2, 2026.

The drizzle did not dampen the spirit of devotees who attended the religious activities in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Devotees queued up to get close to the image of the Candelaria at the balcony of the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral.

One of them is 73-year-old Myrnalyn Dunggon. Despite throbbing knee pains, Myrnalyn went to the Cathedral to enliven her devotion.

“Yan lang ang ipinapanalangin ko, na bigyan niya ako ng good health na makapag-serve ako sa Maykapal,” Dunggon said.

A family from Carles, Iloilo left the town early for their annual “panata” (solemn vow) to the Candelaria. According to Evirlyn Deopido, her devotion to the Candelaria made it possible for the delivery of her second child sans complications.

“Nang nagbuntis ako sa kanya, ang placenta baka hindi naano siya. Inialay ko kay Candelaria na ibigay niya sa akin, ganito na ngayon,” Evirlyn said. 

Other devotees were seen lining up for the traditional “palapak” (paapak) or the “gentle pressing of the image on the head, shoulders, or body parts of a devotee to seek blessings, healing, and divine intervention.”

Aside from devotees, tourists flocked to Iloilo City as well for the Solemnity of the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.

High school classmates Liza Fontelera and Nancy Kirby from Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon planned their reunion in Iloilo City that happened in time for the feast.

“I think we are very privileged today to be here and this is something that we will remember for the rest of our lives,” Liza said.

“I'm intrigued about the Miraculous Virgin. So, I think we have to have a look at that,” Nancy said.

In his homily for the Pontifical Concelebrated Mass morning on February 2, Jaro Archbishop Midyphil Billones said that the faithful must radiate light for each other just like the Candelaria.

“Madali lang manisi ng kadiliman sa ibang tao o sirkumstansya. Kung naiipit tayo sa bitternes and pain and darkness, she, the bearer of the lights brings us Jesus, the Light of the world,” Billones said.

On the evening prior to the feast day, the Coronation of the image of the Candelaria followed a Holy Mass to remind the faithful of the coronation of the image in 1981 by Pope John Paul II, now a saint.