Thousands join pilgrims walk to Sulangan Island

GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR,  — Over 5,000 pilgrims from all over the country converged at the 16th century Immaculate Conception Parish church in this town last June 12 for a walk in prayer to Sulangan Island.

Sulangan is located at the southeastern tip of Eastern Samar surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Leyte Gulf. It is also a popular destination for windsurfers.

The pilgrims walked a total of 21 kilometers from the town proper to Sulangan as their offering to the island’s patron, Saint Anthony of Padua, which icon housed in a shrine has been renowned for its healing miracles.

Dubbed as Ruta Panaaran (pilgrim’s road) ha Sulangan, the event was the first organized pilgrimage to Sulangan where people flock to pray and say their petitions all year round.

Guiuan town Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan said she was surprised by the number of people who joined the pilgrimage. “People as far as Manila came all the way to join the pilgrimage to Sulangan. The number was unexpected but I’m thankful we were able to reach the pilgrimage site safely,” she said.

Kwan has eyed to hold another pilgrimage next year and have it done every year thereafter as part of the Vesper Day celebration of the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Among those who joined the pilgrimage were Eastern Samar Governor Conrado Nicart, Jr. and Vice Governor Christopher Sheen Gonzales, both of whom said the event was a way of demonstrating the Estehanons culture of devotion and faith.

Kwan was ecstatic over the turnout of pilgrims, prompting her to come up with plans that would capitalize the island’s potential on pilgrimage tourism. “The pilgrimage to Sulangan Island seems to revitalize our flagging tourism industry,” said the mayor.

Kwan said that since the pilgrimage was announced, the municipal government and the tourism office of Guiuan have been deluged with inquiries about visiting the miraculous image of the patron saint.

“The surge in tourists has revitalized the town. Interest in the pilgrimage saw early visits to Guiuan where some of them going to other historical and religious sites,” she said, announcing that the LGU will craft a program to transform Guiuan into a pilgrimage tourism site.

“Tourism is an important contributor to our economy and we are fully determined to tap the vast potential of pilgrimage tourism,” she said while admitting that Guiuan still needs to have better facilities for the pilgrims.