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| Image of San Agustin of San Agustin, Magalang, Pampanga |
Magaleños are known for their deep religiosity and faith. That's why Magaleños religiously follow every beliefs and traditions which was entrenched to their faith ever since. If Angeles had the miraculous, Apung Mamacalulu, Magalang had also the miraculous San Agustin. The saint itself is one of the Doctors of the Church; and also, the patron saint of religious order, Augustinians; who brought Christianity to the Philippines and also, they are assigned and founded Magalang in April 30, 1605. The miraculous story of the image of San Agustin probably started during the Spanish period. According to a popular account, a group of tulisanes led by a certain Antero Dizon, encamped in the nearby forest of Mt. Arayat. One of his men carved a small image of San Agustin in a tree trunk. However, due to their notoriety to the Spaniards, they left the place and the carved image was also abandoned. Some of the barrio folks of the nearby sitio Dapa, found the small carved image and they brought it to Dapa. As years passed by, the small carved image was noticed to grow bigger and become miraculous. It was reported that through the miraculous image, it cured smallpox and other kinds of diseases. Sometimes, the image was too heavy and nobody can lift it. It can also roam around the barrio, if there is no candles are lit in front of the image.
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| Altar of San Agustin |
Due to growing number of devotees of San Agustin, the landowner of the barrio, Don Raymundo Feliciano donated a piece of land, and a chapel was built for the miraculous image. Many intercessions of San Agustin was also witnessed by the barrio folks; when the whole barrio was in danger. One account revealed that, some of the barrio men were pursued by the suspected Huks. They were able to hide themselves inside the haystack but, they were able to trace by the Huks. When the Huks reached the haystacks, they fired multiple gunshots on them. After they silenced their guns, the Huks eventually left the place. The barrio men noticed that they do not have any gunshots pierced on their bodies. Miraculously, they were saved by San Agustin from the danger! At present, many devotees are flocking to the small chapel of San Agustin in sitio Dapa every Friday and Holy Week. The devotees are offering prayers and seeking his intercession for their wishes. Aside from curing diseases and ailments; San Agustin is also believed, that he is granting wishes to those couples, who want to have a child. The miraculous image itself is only taken out during the barrio fiesta in August 28; and the misa de maytinis held during Christmas eve. The image itself was brought to San Bartolome Parish Church, together with other patron saints of barrios, who are under the pastoral jurisdiction of the parish.
Photo Credits:
The photos used in this article was personally taken by the author.
Source:
Cruz, Ceferina et. al., Historical and Cultural Life of Magalang, Pampanga; 1954, National Library of the Philippines page 18.