A combination of religious pilgrimage and sightseeing and physical rejuvenation for a complete well-being.

This is what the Department of Tourism (DOT) wants to accomplish by organizing the 2009 Marian Voyage of Peace in cooperation with the Cagayan North Convention and Visitors Bureau (CNCVB).

The Marian Voyage of Peace which gathers the biggest number of miraculous Marian images from the North begins with a fluvial procession of Our Lady of Piat from Aparri to Tuguegarao City on June 27 to June 29.

The Tourism Department said on Wednesday herds of local and foreign devotees and tourists are expected to attend the 2009 Marian Voyage of Peace.

“It’s a once in a lifetime event for Marian devotees all around the world as the different titles of miraculous images of the Virgin Mary will come together in one venue. Aside from being a religious ritual, this is also a spectacle for foreign tourists as it highlights our culture of spiritual fervor,” said Secretary Joseph Ace Durano. Tourism.

Touted as the Mecca of the Devoted Pilgrims, the Cagayan Valley is home of Our Lady of Piat which is known to grant miracles and divine interventions to Marian devotees.

The region will host the event wherein 10 images of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be brought from their parishes housed in different churches within the Vicarate of Tuguegarao City, Penablanca, and Iguig.

“Aside from the religious festivities, there will be tours of local attractions for foreign and local guests. Since there will be droves of people attending this big event, we don’t want to miss the chance to promote the unique sights in Cagayan Province,” shared Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions.

Blessida Diwa, DOT Region 2 Director added, “We have tapped all our partners such as the hotels and tour operators in host communities to prepare for our guests from all over the country and abroad.

“We have likewise reminded everyone our advocacy for fair pricing amidst the influx of tourists,” she said.

The CNCVB will offer tour packages that include an exploration of Callao Caves, a crossing of Pinacanauan River in Penablanca, a trek to Iguig Calvary Hills where life-size scenarios depicting the Stations of the Cross are found, and a heritage tour of Spanish colonial churches.

The Marian Voyage of Peace will include the following images of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
1. Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan
2. Immaculate Conception in Bulacan
3. Our Lady of Fatima in Valenzuela, Bulacan
4. Nuestra Senora de Caridad in Ilocos Sur
5. Our Lady of Charity in Agoo, La Union
6. Nuestra Senora del Mar de Cautiva in Sto. Tomas, La Union
7. Our Lady of Badoc in Ilocos Norte
8. Our Lady of Guibang in Isabela
9. Our Lady of Namacpacan in Luna,La Union
10.Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan

From Manila, PAL Express and Cebu Pacific flies to Tuguegarao City everyday.

Aircon buses of Victory Liner from Kamias, Sampaloc and Pasay, Florida Liner from Cubao and Sampaloc and other bus companies have daily trips to Tuguegarao City.

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