History
The original image of the Our Lady of Manaoag was brought by the Augustinian friars who were in charge of the spiritual administration of the Manaoag town from the year 1590 to 1613 in accordance to the sanctified decree of Spain. In 1614, the spiritual leadership was transferred to the Dominicans, under the patronage of Saint Monica.In the early 17th century, the ivory image was brought to the Philippines by Padre Juan de San Jacinto from Spain via Acapulco.
According to documented accounts dating back to 1610, a native man who was walking home heard a Lady's mysterious voice. He looked around and with great awe he saw the radiant Lady with a Rosary on her right hand and a Child on her left as she stood on a cloud veiling a treetop. The man fell on his knees. He told the people of the apparition. And soon right on the spot where the Lady appeared a chapel was built. A town quickly flourished around it and was called "Manaoag".
Tradition has it that the town itself was born from the Virgin Mary’s call, thus the term, "taoag" meaning "to call" was used to name the town. This is where the name Manaoag was derived from, which means "She Calls".
During World War II, the Church suffered moderate damage. 4 bombs were released on top of the church. 3 bombs landed on the plaza and the facade, destroying them both. One bomb landed in the sanctuary, but failed to explode.The church was rebuilt, and today, it is an active parish serving Manaoag and the surrounding area.
Miracles
Our Lady of Manaoag has a long history of renowned miraculous and pious events. Some of the earliest are replicated in the murals within the church to depict the original miracle that saved the town from a wildfire, the origin of the basilica and the parish, and to portray and document those miraculous events for the appreciation of the beholder, especially the pilgrims. Devotees, from all over the globe, have varied persuasions for visiting the shrine or imploring the vital and distinctively extraordinary intercession of Our Lady of Manaoag among which are pleas pertaining to good health, cure for diseases or afflictions, good voyage, posterity, the family, career, business, academic or professional examinations, surmounting challenges or trials, or any personal petition or thanksgiving.The original icon of Our Lady of Manaoag is considered priceless with its bejeweled crown. There have been several attempts to burglarize the Manaoag Shrine. Several golden crowns and halos are reposited at the Manaoag Shrine, which were donated by both Filipinos and foreigners. A large array of lavishly elegant perfumes is showcased at the Manaoag Shrine Museum. These were donated by devotees and pilgrims from across the globe as tokens of gratitude or presents to Our Lady of Manaoag.
The magnanimously miraculous Our Lady of Manaoag has brought distinctive honor and fame to the eponymous town in particular and to the province of Pangasinan in general.
One of the miraculous accounts regarding Our Lady of Manaoag dates back to the times when early pagans from the mountain tribes burn down newly converted Christian villages. The town of Manaoag was not spared from this. It was set on fire. The church with its thatched roof was the last refuge of the people. The leader of the pillagers climbed over its fence and shot flaming arrows to all parts of the church, but all in vain. It was not set afire.
Another miraculous event was nationally reported during World War II. The Japanese army dropped several bombs on the roof of the Manaoag Shrine but inflicted no damage to the roof and the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
