Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación de Calbiga - The Miraculous Patroness of Calbiga

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 Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación de Calbiga
In the quiet yet historical town of Calbiga, one of the ancient villages in Samar with historical importance. In its parish church enshrines the image of  Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación de Calbiga, the ancient patroness of the town, known for her loving protection and miracles that she wrought to the town.

 Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación de Calbiga
The altar image
The image

The image of Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación de Calbiga is that of the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the day of the Annunciation where St. Gabriel the Archangel announced to the Blessed Virgin that she will be the Mother of Jesus, the much awaited Messiah.

The tableaux image depicts the Blessed Virgin kneeling while the Archangel Gabriel is standing on a cloud. Both the Virgin and the Archangel wears dainty yet beautiful vestments and the Virgin sports the diagnostic doce estrellas. The Archangel Gabriel on the other hand holds a lily that is believed to be given to the Virgin.

The beginning

When the Jesuits established missions in the island of Samar in 1696, Calbiga was served as a visita by the Jesuit resident mission in Umauas. In 1768, the Franciscans took over the administration of Samar and. Soon after, in 1771, Calbiga was established as a parish appointing Fray Miguel Rico (de Jesus), O.F.M. as the first cura paroco. For lack of missionaries. Umauas was joined to Calbiga until separated by a decree on March 12, 1863, giving Umauas its present name, Villa-Real.  It was not only in the year 1772 when Calbiga was separated from Umauas and was served by one priest.

The present Parish of  Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación, Calbiga, Samar
The Church is under the patronage of Nuestra Senora de la Anunciacion. Fray Juan Caballero de Brozas built a church of wood in 1788 but was completely destroyed by a strong typhoon and rebuilt it in 1808. The church of Calbiga deteriorated and suffered huge damages.

In 1853, Fray Francisco Moreno de Montalbanejo built a new church. He prepared enough materials to build the church of masonry. In the year 1876, Fray Francisco Mendez built a beautiful stone church with a strong foundation measuring up to the height of three varas and rest made of wood with hierro galvanizado. It is said to be an exquisite church. Paintings were added by Fray Antonio Ibañez in 1887. Strong typhoons and heavy rains suffered great damages to the church of Calbiga. In 1891, it was restored by Fray Deogracias Montero, paintings were added later both inside and outside the church. The casa parroquia of Calbiga is made of wood and has a length of 28 varas, 14 in latitude and 8 in height built in a very good condition. The pueblo of Calbiga has a good cemetery with two schools built under the leadership of Fray Antonio Ibañez and Fray Deogracias Montero.

 Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación de Calbiga
The Patrona

 The Parish was dedicated to Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion. The transfer of the seacoast villagers to the upper part of the river, based on legend, was related to the miracles of the Virgin. Here’s a Portion of the report submitted to the Historical Commission by the Alcalde Mayor Perfecto Hacbang in 1938: “We also have a sample of unexplained happenings as follows: at the time when the town was still in the place of Binongto-an, the patroness would disappear from its site and was always found afterwards in the place where the town is located today. It was one of the main reasons why the people moved to this town.” This story was corroborated by historian-writer Atty. Filomeno Singzon in his article La Historia de la Virgen de la Anuncacion. The image had a special niche beside the altar even after the antique church was demolished and replaced by concrete structure in the mid-Sixties, but during the finishing touches of its interiors, the “miraculous” image, together with some precious relics, the other santos, the silver candelabra, the other intricate wood carvings and the other “antiques” disappeared, never to be seen again.

When Fray Juan Caballero de Brozas, O.F.M. built a strong wooden church in 1803, he dedicated it to Nuestra Senora de la Anuncacion (Our Lady of the Annunciation) whose feast day falls on March 25. Numerous miracles were reported through the intercession of Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación up to this day. One of the most notable miracles of the Virgin where she protected the town from Moro pirate raids  during the 18th and the 19th Century.

The Processional image of Nuestra Señora
de la Anunciación de Calbiga
The devotion 

The devotion to the Virgin of the Annunciation of Calbiga continues to be strong up to the present day. Her feast day was celebrated with much joy of the town with bands playing and other fiesta activities were held on the day of her fiesta.

Jesus, Mary’s son, came to reveal to us who God is, to become one of us, to teach us the meaning of life and help us live.  This could not have happened without her and her “yes” to God’s proposal, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary put a human face on God.  By cooperating with God through her faith, the Blessed Virgin set in motion the divine plan of salvation in Christ, the establishment of the Church and sanctification in the Holy Spirit.  This explains why Mary has such an important role in the life of faith.

 Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación de Calbiga, pray for us!

Reference:

Singzon, Filomeno (1938), La Historia de la Virgen de la Anuncacion, Calbiga, Samar.

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