Hi Rappler! Hundreds of Catholic devotees gathered to participate in the annual Grand Fiesta Motorcade in honor of Saint Augustine, the town's revered hardwood patriarch affectionately known as "Tata Usteng." The vibrant procession of vehicles escorted the miraculous image through the town's major streets, drawing crowds of faithful believers seeking blessings and expressing gratitude for answered prayers. The motorcade officially signals the beginning of the intensive spiritual preparation for the town's upcoming fiesta. Church organizers announced that this kicks off the traditional four sets of Novena masses in honor of San Agustin de Tanza, which will run continuously from July 17 until August 27, 2026. This month-long religious devotion serves as a spiritual countdown for the community and pilgrims from neighboring provinces. The grand celebrations will culminate in the highly anticipated feast day of Tata Usteng on August 28, 2026.

Makinabang Parish Ready for Historic Spiritual Affinity Declaration With Rome Basilica

BALIWAG CITY, Bulacan — The Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish – Makinabang is set for the Solemn Declaration of the Special Bond of Spiritual Affinity with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, Italy, on August 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

The historic celebration will be presided over by Most Rev. Charles J. Brown, D.D., Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, marking a significant milestone in the parish's history and strengthening its spiritual communion with one of the four papal basilicas in Rome.

In preparation for the event, the parish completed restoration and beautification works inside the church, including improvements to the sanctuary, ceiling, murals, and doors, alongside liturgical and pastoral preparations.

Parish officials have invited the faithful to take part in the celebration, describing it as a moment of grace that deepens devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and strengthens communion with the Universal Church. The celebration will also be livestreamed through the parish's official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/virgendemaquinabang

Paraiso de Avedad’s “Litania de Maria” Grand Marian Festival Opens in San Pablo City.

SAN PABLO CITY, LAGUNA - A spectacular Marian activity has begun at Paraiso de Avedad as the “Litania de Maria Grand Marian Festival” blessedly opened with a grand event that brought devotees, families, and visitors together to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.

More than 70 images of the Blessed Mother were on full display, providing the faithful with a striking visual representation of the many titles, devotions, and forms of Marian worship. The Marian Exhibit is open to the public from August 10 to 15. Meanwhile, the grand celebration is set to have its highlight on August 16 with a Marian Procession, during which the images of the Virgin Mary and the Marian devotion on display will venture outside the exhibit to mark the closing ceremony of this year’s Marian Festivities.

Offering a spectacular backdrop for the event, San Antonio I in San Pablo City, Laguna, is the perfect place to relax and unwind. This renowned leisure resort destination has a lot to offer in terms of restaurant, café, and food venues, so it’s no surprise that it draws in droves of visitors every day. If you want to enjoy nature, eat delectable meals, have fun, and bond with your family and friends, you should definitely check out Paraiso de Avedad.

The Regional Director of the Department of Tourism – CALABARZON Region 4A, Ms. Marites T. Castro, the Guest of Honor and Speaker on the event’s opening program, gave their sincere appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of the grand Marian celebration as they acknowledge the significance of the cultural and tourism potential of the city as well as its strong faith and devotion throughout the region.

As the exhibit continues, Paraiso de Avedad not only opens its arms to leisure tourists but also to those who seek to experience devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in all its splendor.

Hello, Faith 🛐 chat room! Sharing my latest Rappler column on lonely Filipino youth, in the context of the Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting incident. I hope you can read and let me know what you think: https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/the-wide-shot-lonely-youth-filipino-families/