Thousands join pilgrimage walk to Sulangan Island

GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR— Over 5,000 pilgrims from all over the country converged at the 16^th century Immaculate Conception Parish church in Guiuan on June 12, 2012 to solemnly walk together in prayer to Sulangan Island.

The pilgrims walked a total of 21 kilometers as an offering to the island’s patron, Saint Anthony of Padua.

Dubbed as Ruta Panaaran (pilgrim’s road) ha Sulangan, the event was the first organized pilgrimage to Sulangan, renowned for its miraculous and healing patron saint.

Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan said she was surprised by the number of people who joined in the pilgrimage walk.

“People as far as Manila came all the way to join the solemn walk to Sulangan. The number of pilgrims was unexpected but I’m thankful we were able to reach the pilgrimage site safely,” Mayor Kwan said.

Mayor Kwan hopes to hold another pilgrimage next year and plans to have it on a yearly basis in consonance to the Vesper Day celebration of the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua.

The pilgrimage walk was also participated in by Eastern Samar Governor Conrado Nicart, Jr. and Vice-Governor Christopher Sheen Gonzales.

Both Governor Nicart and Vice-Governor Gonzales said the pilgrimage is one way of demonstrating the Estehanons culture of devotion and faith.

Sulangan Island has been famed for its miraculous patron saint and all year round people flock to the island to pray and say their petitions.

As this developed, the local government units is capitalizing its potentials on pilgrimage tourism on one of its islands.

“The pilgrimage to Sulangan Island seems to revitalize our flagging tourism industry,” Mayor Kwan said.

Kwan said since they announced the pilgrimage walk, the local government and tourist office of Guiuan have been deluged with inquiries about visiting the miraculous image of the island’s patron saint.

Sulangan Island is located at the tip of a peninsula off Guiuan which is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Leyte Gulf.

“The surge in tourists has revitalized the town. Interest in the pilgrimage saw early visits to Guiuan where some of them went to other historical and religious sites,” Kwan said.

Based on the outcome of the first organized pilgrimage, Kwan said the local government unit will craft a program that will facilitate the comprehensive development of Guiuan as a pilgrimage tourism site.

“Tourism is an important contributor to our economy and we are fully determined to tap the vast potential of pilgrimage tourism. But admittedly, we still need to provide better facilities to pilgrims,” Kwan said. (PR)