Aug 4, 2012. We asked directions before leaving the Taal Market as we decided to drive instead of taking the tricycle. Going back down the rows of heritage houses, it is so clear to see that Taal reigns as one of the most culturally preserved sites of the Spanish colonial era. We turned right from Calle Agoncillo to Calle Noble. It was quite a tight squeeze. We arrived at the shrine at around 9:50am and it began to start drizzling again.
There was a young boy and a young girl who kept on following us, offering candles. My head was starting to ache again, and Abner was the one who entertained them. They were so well-versed of the story of The Our Lady of Caysasay. Hands down, boy were they very good! They offered to walk us to the Healing Wells - via a short-cut, not having to go up a hundred steps.
We were the only ones there plus our guides. We lighted candles, prayed and offered our petitions. After that, we were accompanied to the well. You'll see two wells there. You'll get to know kuya who fetches water for you to 'bathe'. I can't remember, but water drawn from a specific well determines which part of your body to can 'wash' with. It's all about faith healing. It was raining already, and we were wet. Both from the rain, and from the water drawn from the wells.
It was here in 1611 that the first apparition of Our Lady to an almost blind native servant girl, Juana Tangui and around 30 women, was recorded by the church ordinario. This was the first recorded Marian apparition in the country. From the miraculous cure of her eyes during the apparition, the well water, now known as “Balon ng Sta. Lucia” and the adjoining stream, now known as “Banal na Tubig” have been known to possess miraculous attributes of healing to this day. An arch you see here with pediment was constructed after 1611 over the wells, which generally marks the spot of her apparitions, and is today called “Banal na Pook”.
Before we left, we were given an envelope for an offering or donation, and was guided back to a small house near the church. We fond out that here lives the towns' healer. We said our pleasantries and gave her our help. She looked at Abner and I and asked for our birth months. "May", says Abner. "Ay, mag-aabroad ka!", says the healer. She then turned to me and I said, "March".
"Masipag kang mag-trabaho, iha.".
Aray ko. Kaya ako nagkakasakit. hehe.
There was a young boy and a young girl who kept on following us, offering candles. My head was starting to ache again, and Abner was the one who entertained them. They were so well-versed of the story of The Our Lady of Caysasay. Hands down, boy were they very good! They offered to walk us to the Healing Wells - via a short-cut, not having to go up a hundred steps.
We were the only ones there plus our guides. We lighted candles, prayed and offered our petitions. After that, we were accompanied to the well. You'll see two wells there. You'll get to know kuya who fetches water for you to 'bathe'. I can't remember, but water drawn from a specific well determines which part of your body to can 'wash' with. It's all about faith healing. It was raining already, and we were wet. Both from the rain, and from the water drawn from the wells.
Before we left, we were given an envelope for an offering or donation, and was guided back to a small house near the church. We fond out that here lives the towns' healer. We said our pleasantries and gave her our help. She looked at Abner and I and asked for our birth months. "May", says Abner. "Ay, mag-aabroad ka!", says the healer. She then turned to me and I said, "March".
"Masipag kang mag-trabaho, iha.".
Aray ko. Kaya ako nagkakasakit. hehe.
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