Fairy-bluebird

In old Tagalog mythology in southern Luzon (Philippines), the fairy bluebirds were known as the tigmamanukan omen
birds. All of which were the omen birds of Bathala, the supreme god of the Tagalog people prior to the arrival of the
Spanish. According to legend, Bathala ordered a tigmamanukan bird to crack in one peck the bamboo which let out the
first man, Malakas, and first woman, Maganda. In another legend, Bathala also sends the tigmamanukan bird
(sometimes the tigmamanukan snake or lizard as there are three tigmamanukan forms) to aid mankind if they need to
proceed or halt a journey. If a traveler sees a tigmamanukan omen, and it passes from right to left, then it symbolizes as
labay (Bathala's approval to proceed with the journey). If the tigmamanukan omen passes from left to right, the traveller
should not proceed, or else he or she will never return. All tigmamanukan omen birds are said to live in the mythical
Mount Batala (a sacred mountain of Bathala)
Ancient settlements were built along the river banks as historic modes of transportation were primarily water-based.
Such was the case of Lal-lo, Cagayan. During the Spanish colonial era, Lal-lo was called as Nueva Segovia, a bustling
settlement along Cagayan River. At that time, it was the Seat of Roman Catholicism in northern Philippines.
In fact, Lal-lo was one of the first four cities (the others being Cebu, Manila, Naga) that the Spanish authorities
established. The first bishop of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia was Fr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P., the founder of
University of Santo Tomas. Interestingly, Fr. Benavides wrote the Chinese version of the Doctrina Christiana, the first
book printed in the Philippines.But for some reasons, Bishop Juan de la Fuente Yepes moved the Diocese of Nueva
Segovia to Vigan on September 7, 1758.In former times, Lal-lo had three parishes. The Parish of the Cathedral was
served by the secular clergy up to 1788. The Parish of Bagumbayan was entrusted to the Dominicans by Bishop Diego de
Soria in 1913. The Parish of Tocolana was completely administered by the Dominicans in the Dominican Hospital of
Tocolana. The Rev. Francisco de Capillas, O.P., ministered to the spiritual and corporal needs of the natives of Cagayan.
An encased cross is conspicuously seen in front of the Lal-lo Church. It stands in solitary distance but an eloquent
monument of faith of the missionary activities of the Dominican fathers who planted this venerable cross on these
hallowed ground to seal the stamp of possession of the cross of the people for Christ. This cross is believed to be more
than 300 years old and has weathered the elements of nature.
History
The history of Our Lady of Piat dates back to 1604 when a black image of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus on her
left arm was brought to the Philippines from Macau by the Dominican friars. It was originally called the Nuestra Señora
del Santísimo Rosario (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary).A small sanctuary for the religious image was built in 1604 by the
local Itawis.The image was brought to Lal-lo, Cagayan(then the Episcopal See of Nueva Segovia) to be known by the
Cagayanos. The image was also brought to Piat, and Tuguegarao in 1622. During the visitation, it was replaced by a more
beautiful image from Manila but the people demanded that the original image be returned to them so it was brought
back to Piat and was enthroned in the small sanctuary.
During the feast of St. Stephen, December 26, 1623, the image of Our Lady was solemnly brought to the Ermita from Piat
with the people following in devout procession. The people of Tuao did likewise marching in procession towards the
Ermita to welcome Our Lady with great rejoicing and happiness. The following day the Ermita was blessed and a very
solemn Mass was officiated by the deacon with an attendance of more than 10, 000 people ("pasaban de diez mil
personas") who came from all the neighboring towns. The priest noted that, it was amazing that such a large multitude
would have gathered there, considering that the area was no thickly populated, and that the work of evangelization had
been going on for only 25 years. The lady started the first Christians of Cagayan.[4] According to the same historian, Fr.
Aduarte, the crowd that attended the dedication of the new shrine of Our Lady of Piat was really impressive. Aduarte
adds to this effect, by way of an explanation "...So the holy Image moved the natives ("indians") to love, esteem and
revere her." An important woman from Piat (belonging to the "principalia." Or local aristocracy as indicated by the
honorific title of Doña) Doña Ines Magui'abbun took upon herself the responsibility of looking after the Ermita and
became the first camarera (caretaker of Our Lady). For this purpose, she decided to open up a new field ("sementera")
and built a house near the shrine so she and her servants could visit the sacred place often. Besides, she placed a votive
lamp, that kept always burning before the venerated Image and thus became the first shrine of the Lady.
In the 1700s, the people built a more spacious church of more durable materials on a hill about a mile from the parish
church of Sto. Domingo.A new sanctuary was built by Rev. Fr. Diego Pinero and later restored by Fr. Jose Gurumeta in
1875.On June 22, 1999, the sanctuary was elevated as a Basílica Minore (Minor Basilica) recognized by the Vatican.It was
the first basílica menor in the region and the fourth in the Philippines. The rites was officiated by the Vatican's
representative, Antonio María Cardinal Javierre Ortas.[3][6] A santacruzan was also sponsored by Department of
Tourism in celebration of the Basilica.[3] A week-long special prayers and services was also held in 29 parishes in the
province, a Marian choral contest at the St. Paul University Philippines in Tuguegarao, medical mission, grand
processionof all the images of patron saints and the Our Lady and a cultural show on the documented miracles of the of
Virgin Mary of Piat