In the early 1600s, Spanish missionaries in Dumalag observed “beautifully worked stone-crosses that fall with lighting.” [1] The occurrence came in regular frequency on the foot of the hill called Panguilngalon (another version calls in Pamligaron [2]) (now Mt. Blanco). The hill took its name from the surprise that came with sudden thunder and lightning on its tip. When lightning strikes crosses fall from the sky, the natives claimed.
The mountain hosts a series of caves believed to be the abode of babaylanes. In the middle is an altar where natives from all around Panay Island frequent and place their offerings in exchange for the oracles and visions from the priestesses. Christian missionaries, though, alleged that these babaylanes were talking to the devils.
A certain Fr. Morales, unable to convince the natives of the devils residing in the cave, was already bent to abandon the town. One day he went up to the mountain accompanied by many parishioners. There he celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Hardly had the celebration ended when a furious storm broke out with torrential rainfall, accompanied by lightning and thunder. With the rainfall, many little white crosses fell like what the women used to wear around their neck. Some were light blue, others in darker hues. They were described to be “perfectly crafted, the four arms being in equal size, with four perfect corners throughout it all” [1] and seemed to be cut in diamonds.
Many miracles were associated with the white cross. One native who happened to pick the cross claimed his crops were never plagued by grasshoppers. He would secretly bury the cross in the middle of his rice field and unearth it after harvest. Another was healed from her asthma when she dipped the cross in a glass of water before drinking it. [1]
One cross fell near the Mapanag river and native, upon seeing it, picked it up and gave it to the Prior of Panay who in turn presented it to the convent of Santo Niño de Cebu [2]. The white crosses, however, got lost in time. (Image under Creative Commons license)
[2] Juan Fernandez . (1921, 1923). Monografias de los Pueblos de la Isla de Panay.
No comments:
Post a Comment