Tourism
Mt . Carmel Traslacion highlights PHL faith tourism
Secretary Wanda Teo welcomed the image of Our Lady of Mt . Carmel in Manila Bay
Credit : tourism . gov . ph
F ilipino religious traditions and devotional practices around this predominantly Catholic country are increasingly attracting international and domestic tourists , according to the Philippines ' Department of Tourism ( PDOT ).
This was demonstrated recently when over 7,000 Catholic faithful joined the 4-kilometer procession from the Quirino Grandstand to San Sebastian Basilica to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Our Lady of Mt . Carmel de Sebastian arrival to the Philippines .
During Friday ' s celebration , Marian devotee Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo welcomed the image of Mt . Carmel which arrived at 5:00 am on Friday at the Manila Bay .
The traslacion started at 8:30 am from Quirino Grandstand and passed through Quiapo Church before it was greeted with fireworks as it arrived at San Sebastian Basilica at 11:00 am .
The image was a gift from the Discalced Carmelite Nuns from San Jose
Monastery in Mexico City and was brought to the Philippines by the third group of Augustinian Recollect Missionaries on May 4 , 1618 .
The image was first enshrined at the Recollect Church of San Juan de Bagumbayan . Later , in 1621 , it was enshrined at San Sebastian Basilica .
According to Teo , the Marian celebration is a good indication that faithbased tourism destination contribute significantly in the countryâ € ™s tourism industry .
" Filipinos find comfort to the image of Mt . Carmel and it is a beautiful scene to witness . In addition to the scenic sites of centuries-old churches all over the country , our devotional practices are attracting more and more faith-based tourists ," Teo added .
Rev . Fr . Robin Plata , one of the event organizers , said that Filipinos must be reminded that we have a Mother , under the title of Our Lady of Mt . Carmel , who always guide us under her maternal protection .
" As a mother , she intercedes for her children and even gave a promise that whoever wears the brown scapular will not suffer hell at the hour of
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