A 385 years old town from the province of pangasinan Philippines. Consist of 26 barangays. Has an area of about 9600 hectares and a population of 57 thousand. It shares a common boundary with pozorrubio in the north; Binalonan in the east; Urdaneta and Mapandan from the south; San Jacinto and Sison in the west and northwest. It is traversed that 3 narrow rivers and severals streams that wind thier way up west. The chief industry of people is farming and the main crop is rice and sugar cane. Other crops are tobacco, vegetables, root crops and corn. Minor industries are handicrafts ,animal raisings, and quarrying.
One of the well known tourist spot is the church, everyday thousand of tourist, both locals and foriegners. Come along to visit the church. History tell us that a rude chapel made of light materials of nipa on the spot where the Virgen is said to have appeared. On its altar was placed the Spanish statue of Our Lady of the Rosary. At the start of the 18th a very well known Spanish caballero and a member of Dominican Third Order, Don Gaspar Gamboa and his wife Dona Agatha Yangta came out and promise to shoulder whatever the cost of the construction.
The Miracles
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According to documented accounts dating back 1610, A native man who was walking home heard a Ladys mysterious voice. He looked around and saw the radiant Lady with a rosary on her right hand and a child on her left as she stood on a cloud, veiling a tree. As soon right on the spot where the Lady appeared a church was built.
During World War ll, the church suffered moderate damage. 4 bombs were realesed on top of the church. 3 bombs landed on the plaza and facade, destroying them both. One bomb landed in the church but failed to explode. The church was rebuilt, and today is an active parish.
Some miraculous accounts regarding Our Lady of Manaoag are barbaric times when early pagans from the mountain tribes used to burn down newly converted christian villages. The town was set on fire. The church with thatched roof was refuge of the people.
The hill top location of the Our Lady of Manaoag shrine stand up to this day where thousand continue to flock every year. Huge crouds attended the day. The image was canonically crown by His Holliness Pope Pius XI on april 21, 1926. She celebrated the diamond jubelle of her coronation on january 1, 2000. And on february 17, 2015 was formally proclaim Minor Basilica. The proclamation rites were lead by the archibishops of the phillippines.
Come and visit the church to experience the love and hospitality of the town people, for sure you will understand the true meaning of miracles.
Photo credits by Municipal of manaoag sites..