This document provides summaries of the histories and origins of several Virgins and patronesses of Cavite cities and towns in the Philippines. It describes when and how their images arrived in each location and some were declared as patronesses. It also provides pictures of some of the Virgin statues and artistic representations within churches. The information is sourced from historical documents and researchers on the religious histories of places in Cavite.

1. The Virgins of Cavite: Religiosity,
Arts and History
Teresita P. Unabia
Rosanni R. Sarile
Bernardo N. Sepeda
(Researchers)

2. NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL PILAR
(Imus)
History
The image of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar was brought to the
Philippines from Spain by Rev. Fr. Martin Lumbreras Sanchez
Perez Peralta, OAR, in 1623. It was first enthroned on a small
altar in the Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino at Intramuros,
Manila. On May 28, 1694, the Recollect friars transferred the
image of the Virgin of the Pillar to the Casa Hacienda de Imus.
A plan to construct a church in the Hacienda in honor of the
Virgin was approved on March 13, 1766. More than thirteen
(13) years after, on September 27, 1779, the new church was
finished and the image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar was
enthroned in the main altar.
Nuestra Señora del Pilar became the patroness of the Parish
of Imus when it separated from the spiritual jurisdiction of the
Jesuits of Kawit, the mother town, on October 3, 1795.
With the separation of the Diocese of Imus from the
Archdiocese of Manila on November 25, 1961, the Nuestra
Señora del Pilar was declared as Titular Patroness and
Protectress of the whole diocese and of the whole Province of
Cavite.
Source: Documents for the Request for the Canonical Coronation of the Image of Nuestra Señora Del
Pilar of Imus, Cavite, Philippines. Signed by Mr. Nestor Crisostomo Victa, Jr., coordinator, the Servants
and Handmaids of Our Lady of the Pillar; Mrs. Ellen Maluto Palma-Sosa, representative of the
caretaker family of the Holy Image; and noted by Rev. Fr. Allan C. Valero, moderator, Team Ministry,
Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, Imus Cathedral and president of the Parish Pastoral Council. November,
2010.

3. LA INMACULADA CONCEPCION1
(Dasmariñas City)
Source:
1
Historical Markers: Regions I-IV. National Historical Institute, 1993:48

4. History
The Royal Order creating the Parroquia De Perez-Dasmariñas was
signed by Queen Isabella II on October 21, 18662 under the
administration of the Order of Recollects of Saint Augustine.3 The
parish was placed under the patronage of the Immaculate Concepcion
whose image was sculpted by Esperidion Arevalo of Sta. Cruz, Manila. It
was installed in 1867.
On December 7, 2002, Most Rev. Bishop Emeritus Manuel Sobreviñas,
DD, led the Symbolical Coronation of the Blessed Virgin during a
concelebrated mass. The next day, December 8, Most Rev. Bishop Luis
Antonio Tagle, DD, was the principal celebrant during the Dedication of
the Church themed Si Maria, La ‘Purissima’ Inmaculada Concepcion,
Reyna ng Pamilyang Dasmarineño.
Sources:
2
Medina, Isagani R. 2002. Cavite Before the Revolution (1571-1896). Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press and Cavite Historical
Society. P. 259.
3
Bernad, Miguel A. S.J. 1972. The Christianization of the Philippines: Problems and Perspectives. Manila: The Filipiniana Book Guild, p. 237.

5. NUESTRA SEÑORA DE CANDELARIA
(Silang)

6. History
The image of the Nuestra Señora De Candelaria, patroness of the town of Silang, at the facade of
the church structure is described as a polychromed.1 On the other hand, the statue in the main
retablo is of hardwood sculpture. 2
Based on the origin myth, the image of the Blessed Virgin was found by Andres, a native, in the
mountains of Silang in 1640. 3 The beauty of the Lady captivated a friend of Andres and asked for
it. A temporary place of worship was built for her. People were awed. They gathered together
and prayed. One time, the man failed to observe the sacredness of a Friday as mentioned to him
by his folks. He went on a journey. Upon his return, the image of the Virgin was nowhere to be
found. He searched, found her and the faithful asked forgiveness. The Nuestra Señora was
brought home. After eight other disappearances, the image was placed on the retablo at the
gospel side.
Sources:
1
Javellana, René B. 1991. Wood & Stone: For God’s Greater Glory Jesuit Art and Architecture in the Philippines. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila
University Press. P. 75, #65
2
ibid. p. 119
3
ibid. p. 204. See also, Bernad, Miguel A. The Christianization of the Philippines: Problems and perspectives. Volume XX. Manila: Filipiniana Book
Guild, 1972.

7. Representations of the Virgin Mary
in the main retablo
of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Parish

8. The Immaculate Conception at the altar table

9. The magi

10. Presentation of Jesus at the temple

11. The coronation of the Virgin Mary

12. NUESTRA SEÑORA DELA ASUNCION
(Maragondon)
There are three statues of the Nuestra Señora Dela Asuncion in the Parish
of Maragondon. One is the original image with missing fingers1 and
enigmatic or engaging look because the Virgin Mary seems to be smiling
from its left side, but from its right, she appears solemn.2 The second
image is the Birheng Nakatayo.3 This standing Virgin Mary is in the
retablo of the church. The image looks up at the heavens. The statue was
carved out of kamagong. Its face and hands are made of ivory. Though
the parish was officially established in 1627, the image was purchased as
early as 1620 for seventy pesos (P70.00) by the faithful of Maragondon.
The third is the Birheng Nakaupo or seated Virgin Mary. 4
Sources:
1
Nuestra Señora Dela Asuncion. 2010:8, 15, 20.
2
ibid. p.16
3
ibid. pp. 8, 14, 15
4
ibid. pp. 12, 13

13. The image with her missing
ivory fingers
The original statue of Nuestra
Señora Dela Asuncion carved out
The seemingly smiling image
of kamagong.

14. Birheng Nakatayo or Standing Virgin
at the main altar

15. Birheng Nakaupo, the third image of Our Lady of the Assumption in
Maragondon, Cavite, Philippines

16. NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL ROSARIO
(Rosario)

17. Nuestra Señora del Rosario is the
patroness of Rosario, one of the
pueblos bajos erected at the turn of the
19th century. According to Medina
(2002), the Virgin was enthroned on
the same date that the town was
created by virtue of Narciso Claveria y
Zalduas’ decree on October 22, 1845.1
However, the date written by Fr.
Gilberto Urubio, present parish priest,
on his questionnaire was October 7,
1845.2 Furthermore, Kahapong kay
Yaman by Saenz Mendoza and Que, the
parish was established in 1846. 3
In spite of varying dates, Nuestra
Señora del Rosario had its coronation
on October 7, 1995, its
sesquicentennial.
Sources:
1
Medina, Isagani R. 2002. Cavite Before the Revolution (1571-1896). Quezon City: University of the Philippine Press and Cavite Historical
Society. pp. 46-47
2
Questionnaire retrieved from Fr. Gilberto Urubio, June 15, 2012. Also, interview with Fr. Urubio on June 15, 2012 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
3
Golden Jubilee Primer – Kahapong Kay Yaman: Isang Sulyap sa Makulay na Kasaysayan ng Simbahan Katoliko sa Cavite. Inihanda nina: Fr.
Virgilio Saenz Mendoza at Bro. Wilson Que. p. 23

18. NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GUIA
(Magallanes)

19. Magallanes was created by a Royal Order on September 10,
1880. 1 It was the last town founded in Cavite in the 19th
century.
Ecclesiastically, Magallanes was separated from Maragondon.2
A marker states “Parroquia De Magallanes Cavite Fundada En
El Año 1883.” Its patroness is Nuestra Señora de Guia.
Sources:
1
Medina, Isagani R. 2002. Cavite Before the Revolution (1571-1896). Quezon City: University of the Philippine Press and Cavite Historical Society.
p. 256
2
Pangilinan, Gervacio y Enriquez. 2001. The Historic Cavite (La Historica Cavite. Translated from Spanish by Lourdes Arespacochaga. Cavite: Cavite
Historical Society. p. 234