Nuestra Señora de La Paz "Apung Maria de Manila" - A Symbol of Unity

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Nuestra Señora de La Paz "Apung Maria de Manila"
In the simple barrio of Barrio Santa Maria, located in Paco, Manila, a community of Kapampangans resided in the area since the Japanese occupation. This simple group of Kapampangans of Macabebe brought with them a devotion that is very dear to them - the devotion to Nuestra Señora de La Paz, better known to the residents as "Apung Maria de Manila". 

This special devotion to Apung Maria de Manila serves not only as a beacon of faith of the Barrio in Paco, but also, the Virgin also serves as a link between two cultures, that of Manila and Pampanga.

The image

The image of Apung Maria de Manila is that a "de Vestir" (vested image) of the Blessed Virgin Mary where she is presented as a Sovereign Queen to her people. She has a vast number of vestments made from different materials that were given by devotees over the years. 

She holds a scepter, wears a beautiful crown and the diagnostic "doce Estrellas". The facial features of the image is that of a sweet gaze to her devotees and has a folksy charm to the beholder. 

The origin of the devotion

The origins of the devotion to Apung Maria of Manila is traced back to its origin in Macabebe, Pampanga where the image of Apung Maria is enthroned in her Visita (Chapel) where her devotees flock to her abode to ask for intercession. For years, Apung Maria of Macabebe gained much popularity in the area that her feast day is one of the most attended in the province. The feast of Apung Maria of Macabebe, Pampanga is celebrated every Last Saturday and Sunday of April.

The devotion in Manila

An old photograph of Apung Maria de Manila
When the people of Macabebe, Pampanga moved to Manila during the end of the Second World War, the people built a community in Paco, Manila and the area was then known as "Barrio Santa Maria", later known as "Barrio Kapampangan". Through the efforts of Pedro Manansala, a faithful devotee of Apung Maria of Macabebe, the devotion was successfully carried over to their settlement in Manila and her devotion became stronger and served as a link to their beloved lady in Macabebe. The people immediately have an image commissioned to the likeness of their patroness in Macabebe.

The origin of the image Apung Maria de Manila has an interesting story. According to local tradition, It is said that a Bicolano artisan was commissioned to carve the image for the new settlers in Paco, Manila. However, it is said that the image that was given to the barrio folk was the carver's acquired antique image that needs to be refurbished and what was left to the carver was the commissioned image. 

Some years later, the carver decided to take back the image, however, due to the numerous miracles that the Virgin wrought to the people, the barrio folk refused to return the image and devised many means to keep the image by hiding it in different houses until the carver conceded to let the image stay to her chosen throne.

Her Feast day is celebrated every First Sunday of May, a week after the Feast of the original Apung Maria of Macabebe, Pampanga. Devotees from Macabebe goes down to Manila annually to honor the Virgin of their fellow Kapampangans in the Barrio in droves. A colorful celebration in the barrio is always the scenario of the feast day where the "Batalya" procession of Apung Maria and its companion image, the Apung Jesus, is held twice a day - one in the morning and the other in the evening. 

Miracles

Numerous miracles were recorded were attributed to Apung Maria de Manila over the years that the residents of the town. Miracles of physical cures, financial woes, and other necessities were persistently recalled and duly recorded. One of the most memorable miracles of Apung Maria de Manila is that when a raging fire threatens to destroy Barrio Sta. Maria, all of a sudden, the fire strangely ended in the premises of the chapel without harming the altar where the image stood at that time. When the fire was put out, they also noticed a shadow of a lady at the altar which was visible for days until it disappeared when the whole barrio was fully recovered from the fire.

The undying devotion

The devotion to Apung Maria de Manila continues to be strong in Barrio Santa Maria in Paco, Manila and recently, devotees outside from other places, aside from Macabebe, Pampanga, are growing over the years. The miraculous image of Apung Maria de Manila received the honor of a Symbolic Coronation on May 5, 2013, on the day of her feast day, attended by her devotees from Manila, Pampanga and other parts of the country.

The devotion to Apung Maria is a true testament of the role of Our Lady as the Queen of Peace. She is the unifying force of two cultures, that is of Manileña and Kapampangan, who come together to honor her and her Son. May the devotion Our Lady leads us to that elusive peace that we've been longing for and live as her children.

References:
_________ (2017), "Nuestra Señora de La Paz: The loving Virgin Mary "Apung Maria de Manila", Nuestra Senora de la Paz Chapel, Barrio Sta. Maria, Paco, Manila.

Special thanks to Mr. JM Domingo.

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