The celebration for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 2023 saw over 8,000 devotees flocking to the Minor Basilica of Manaoag.

December 8 is a holiday in the Philippines.

In an early morning pilgrimage, Oscar Fonteblanca and his family traveled to Manaoag from Quezon Province to offer prayers and express gratitude to the Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag. This has become an annual tradition for Fonteblanca who attends Mass every Feast of the Immaculate Conception to give thanks for his recovery from two incidents of stroke.

"Importante na makahingi kami ng blessing para sa kagalingan sa aming mga sakit," Fonteblanca shares.

Delia Abellar, the wife of another stroke survivor from Balungao, Pangasinan, also went to Manaoag. Her faith has deepened since her husband's recovery. 

"Survivor ang asawa ko, malaking tulong sa amin ang kagalingan niya," she adds.

Father Felix Legaspi III, the Prior of the Minor Basilica, emphasized the importance of aligning with the will of God in his homily. 

"Ang ating Mahal na Ina, Imaculada Concepcion, ay napupuno ng grasya. Ibig sabihin, may tuwa, awa, tiyaga, at sana napupuno din tayo ng grasya at masasabi din natin na pinupuno tayo ng grasya ng Panginoon," Legaspi said.

The police also maximized its personnel on the ground to ensure safety.

"Ang PNP, naka-deploy maximum talaga para sa safety," PCPT Milubis Almoite, Deputy Chief of Manaoag Police Station, said.