LAOAG CITY -- A marker of the pontifical coronation of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, Ilocos Norte’s patroness, is set to be unveiled in the historic town of Badoc on June 29.
Just like during the pontifical coronation of the Blessed Mother, Cesar Jade Raquel, Municipal Tourism Officer, on Thursday said the unveiling ceremony is expected to draw thousands of Catholic faithful from the different towns of Ilocos Norte and nearby provinces.
He said Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Grace Relucio-Princesa will grace the event.
With the unveiling of the marker at the St. John the Baptist Parish where La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc is enshrined, Raquel expressed optimism the number of visitors here will further increase in light of the so-called "faith tourism".
Gifted with heritage churches and natural landmarks, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte through its Ilocos Norte tourism office, acknowledged there is a growing interest in faith tourism here and several travel agents are offering some tour packages for this purpose.
Meanwhile, Raquel said the municipal government of Badoc has started preparing for the arrival of local and international pilgrims to the shrine and marker.
On May 31, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle led the pontifical coronation of La Virgen de Milagrosa de Badoc with the infant Jesus which paved the way to an increasing number of devotees visiting Badoc town lately.
Badoc town is also known as the hometown of the famous Luna brothers, Antonio and Luna. Located at the town proper, the Antonio and Luna Museum being supervised by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines is also attracting thousands of tourists here. (PNA)
