Ina Poon-Bato Shrine Houses a Wooden Statue Set on a Rock

INA POON-BATO SHRINE

Devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary gathered here once more to see the wooden image of Ina Poón Bato for some deep reflection or to seek miraculous cures on Friday (Jan. 24), her feast day, at a shrine hosted by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI or the Aglipayan church).

Aglipayan priest Fr. Rino Tristan Soliman was among those who led the Novena and Mass for Apo Apang (the other name for the image which means Little Queen) days before the feast.

According to some pilgrims, more and more devotees come here every year for the feast although no data were immediately available.

Accounts, both historical and mythical, say the Aeta had been worshiping a wooden statue set on a rock in the 17th century when Spain began its colonization of the country. The image was soon associated with the Virgin Mary, prompting the Catholic Church to dub the image as Ina Poón Bato (Mother of the Lord Rock). Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1220205/in-zambales-wooden-image-of-ina-poon-bato-continues-to-draw-pilgrims#ixzz6N0W6DWRJ

Photo from: http://pintakasi1521.blogspot.com/2017/01/ina-poon-bato-doting-queen-of-zambales.html

In 1607, shortly after the Augustinian Recoleto Missionaries arrived in Zambales, they heard stories of the Miraculous Lady of the Aetas. Thinking this to be part of their “anito worship”,the priest wanted to see the miraculous Lady. Upon seeing the image,the Recoletos missionaries were amazed. “This is unbelievable”,cried the young friar. “It’s our Blessed Mother! How can she be here ahead of us!”the older priest said, “She must have paved the way for our coming.”

The friars transferred the image to the Church. There She stayed until after the Philippine Revolution.After executing the Parish priest, Fr. Julian Jimenez, patriot rebels took the image to their newly established church, The Philippine Independent Church.

In 1976, a columban priest, Rev. Fr. Patrick Duggan ordered a replica made of the Ina Poon Bato image by the famous religious scultor, Maximo Vicente.

In 1981, moved by an inner prompting, Mother Therese Vicente H.F.J., Foundress of the Holy Face of Jesus, borrowed the image and brought it to Mrs.Rosellyn Enciso Magsaysay for her to promote the devotion. The diocese of Zambales,under His Eminence Bishop Henry Byrne,gave the devotion and the mission ecclesiastical approval. Then Fr.Duggan asked Rosellyn Magsaysay to replace his wooden Statue at the grotto that was damaged due to exposure to the rain and sunlight. Then restored by Mrs. Rosellyn Magsaysay. Fr. Duggan gave the wooden statue to her as a gift. Which is now known as the International Pilgrim Image that has been canonically blessed by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter Square,Vatican,Rome.

Since then Ina Poon Bato has been to nearly all the Dioceses in the Philippines.She visited various States in America,Europe and Asian countries. In Rome,accompanied by Archbishop Paciano Ancieto,D.D.,the image was blessed by Pope John Paul II. Read More: https://inapoonbato.webs.com/

Photo from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:09213jfNational_Shrine_Ina_Poon_Bato_Apostolic_Catholic_Church_EDSA_Veterans_Village_Project_42_Quezon_Cityfvf.jpg

In the remote province of Zambales were the Aetas lived for centuries comes a simple shrine where the Zambaleños flock for years who chose to live among them, and get this, even before the arrival of the Spanish missionaries. This is the wonders of the Nuestra Señora dela Paz of Zambales, or more popularly knows as Ina Poon Bato or “Apo Apang” to the Zambaleños.

Ina Poon Bato has garnered several devotees over the years from the locals of Zambales, it even reached its neighboring provinces, even reaching Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao even outside the Philippines and several miracles were reported through her intercession and it continuously happen up the present. Read More: http://pintakasi1521.blogspot.com/2017/01/ina-poon-bato-doting-queen-of-zambales.html