Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga

Our Lady of the Porta Vaga (, ) is a Roman Catholic Marian title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with a venerated Marian painting.

The oldest dated Marian painting in the Philippines and the Patroness of Cavite is permanently enshrined at the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Solitude of Porta Vaga, Parish of San Roque.

The image was ceremoniously crowned on 17 November 1978, though having been long disputed as illegitimate due to lack of official decree from Rome. On 27 September 2017, the image was designated as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. On 19 March 2018, new documents were submitted to the Holy Office and the image was granted an official decree of canonical coronation by Pope Francis.

Title and description

The image is known in its province as the "Queen of the City and Province of Cavite" and "Exalted Patroness and the Celestial Guardian and Protectress of the Province of Cavite and its Port" ( and ). The icon was used to bless departing trade galleons plying the route between Cavite and Acapulco, Mexico, earning her the title "Patroness of the Galleons", while claims of miracles associated the icon as ''"The Virgin of a Thousand Miracles"''. According to historical records, the image is sometimes called "Mother of Candles" (''"Ynang Magkakandila"'') due to her prayerful iconography of two candles, hundreds of bottles of candles was offered in front of the image in the weeks of her festival in Cavite. Accordingly, a separate feast was celebrated supported and funded by candle makers in gratitude for their income from the recent days feast. The youth also calls the image affectionally as "Nay Choleng" (Mother Choleng) using the name "Choleng" a pseudonym of "Soledad".

The Blessed Virgin Mary is depicted as garbed in black and white, kneeling before the instruments of Passion of Jesus Christ. The icon is painted on canvas and framed in carved wood. The painting itself is set in gold and silver accoutrements of precious gemstones donated as ''ex votos'' from devotees.

A Spanish inscription on the reverse of the icon reads:

Historical timeline

1600s

*1602 – The Spaniards constructed a massive wall protecting the port town of Cavite. With this wall was a main gate which gave entry to Cavite Puerto. This gate appeared on a 1659 map labelled as "puerta nueva que sales a San Roque". In chabacano dialect, it was called Puertang Bago. Later Bago which means new was converted to Vaga to be more hispanized. Hence, it was called Porta Vaga.
*Ca 1667 – Tradition says a miraculous lady appeared before a guardia civil. She claimed to be Mary, the mother of Jesus and sought entrance through Porta Vaga to Cavite Puerto. The next day, fisherman and workers at the Cavite Royal Arsenal found the image of the Virgen de la Soledad floating on the waters of Cañacao Bay.
*1669 – 1689 Tomas de Andrade was the rector of the Jesuits ''"Colegio de Cavite"''. He wrote a poem entitled ''"Himno a la Virgen de Cavite"''. Later, the poem became the lyrics of the hymn, Reina de Cavite.
*1692 April 12 – An inscription on the back of the painting states "A doze de Abril 1692 anos puso sima himagen Juan de Oliba haqui (''The most holy image was placed here on April 12, 1692 by Juan de Oliba'')". This is the basis of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad's Tricentennial celebration.

1700s

*1739 – The first time that the Ermita de la Virgen de la Soledad was mentioned in the map of Cavite Puerto.
*1739 – The Chaplain of the Ermita de la Soledad was Nicolas Melo.
*1739 (October 5) – Marcos Zamora was appointed as administrator f the ''Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Soledad''. He was asked to submit an inventory of the properties of the said chapel.
*1742 – ''Soledad Patricenante de Maria, Oracion Evangelica de Nuestra Señora de la Soleded apellidada de Puerta Vaga'' was printed. This was based on the preaching given by the Dominican preachers Fray Juan de la Cruz in the Ermita de la Soledad in 1741.
*1747 (December 16) – Viente de Segueyra was appointed as chaplain of the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Soleded.
*1748 (January 22) – Vicente de Segueyra asked Don Patricio de Mena Rear Admiral of the ship, Principe de Asturias, to ask for alms in his trip to China and Canton for the said sanctuary, the Ermita of the Soledad. This was approved by the Archbishop of Manila.
*1751 (January 16) – De Sousa was granted permission by the Archbishop of Manila to ask for alms from passengers aboard the ship Santisimo Rosario bound for Acapulco for the greater glory of the cult and adornment of the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.
*1752 (July 7) – de Sousa solicited alms for the image of ''Nuestra Señora de la Soledad'' aboard ''Nuestra Señora del Rosario y San Juan Bautista.''
*1755 (November 21) Antonio Gil Adriano was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1757 (November 6) – A document mentioned the existence of Obras Pias de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad under the administration of Don Miguel Cortes de Arrendenio y Oriosolo, Vicar General of Manila.
*1768 (January 17) – Joseph Aranzana was appointed chaplain of the Ermita de la Soledad.
*1768 (July 20) – Aranzana was given permission to ask for alms for the Virgen de la Soledad aboard the Frigate San Carlos.
*1768 (August 11) – Joseph de Jesus Diaz Vardona was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1768 (October 1) – Vicente Hipolito was assigned as mayordomo capella of the Ermita.
*1769 (July 19) – Vicente Hipolito was given the permission to solicit from the galleon San Carlos.
*1770 (March 1) - Thomas Nazario Benitez was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1771 – The sanctuary of the Ermita was painted floors, leaks and windows were repaired.
*1773 (March 1) – Raphael Ochoa was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1774 (April) – Dionicio Vicente Esguera de Leyba was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1775 – Archbishop Sancho of Manila approved the rebuilding of the retablo with gold and silver leaf imported from Canton.

*1775 – 1792 – Don Mateo Joaquin Rubio de Arevalo Bishop of Cebu granted 40 days of indulgence to devotees of the Virgen de la Soledad. During this time, estampas printed on silk was a popular one. Devotees adorn the copies with gold and silver embroidery and ivory.
*1776 – 1788 – Don Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa y Rufina was Archbishop of Manila. He granted 80 days of indulgence to devotees of the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.
*1787 – inventory of the Ermita described four altars; much silver vessels and decoration and curtains of different colors hanging in the Ermita.
*1830 (June 2) – Lighting struck the altar of the Ermita, fire razed the altar to ground but the image of the Virgin remained intact amidst he ashes and debris.

1800s

*1832 – ''Novenario Consagrado a la Piadosa Vrigen de la Soledad llamada de Puerta Vaga'' printed by the Real Colegio de Sto. Tomas, Manila
*1848 (April 22) – Macario Goco was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1848 – The church was closed because of its ruinous state. The dome was in danger of falling down. The archbishop allowed the immediate repair of the chapel.
*1849 (April 6) - Clemente Custodio was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1851 – The chapel of the ''Nunstra Señora de la Soledad'' was reported to be well built. The interior is decorated with the paintings of the miracles of the Virgen.
*1856 – A terrible typhoon flooded Cavite Puerto, Houses and buildings in the whole Puerto went underwater except for the Ermita and its patio where Caviteños sought refuge and prayed to the Virgen de la Soledad the flooding subsided thereafter.
*1857 (June 30) – Cavite based Spanish frigate Lucero was caught between the shallow reefs of Rauis, Legaspi, Albay amidst a violent typhoon. The crew asked for the Virgen's assistance and she appeared before them. After 22 days, the frigate floated away from the reefs and sailed safely to Cavite.
*1859 (December 22) - Bernardino Tongco was appointed chaplain of the Ermita.
*1861 (August 31) – Candido Ureta Manzanares, chancellor of the Arcdiocese of Manila approved the Tagalog novena to the Virgen.
*1863 – A novena in honor of the Virgen de la Soledad printed by Imprenta Ramirez y Giraudier.
*1863 – A terrible earthquake destroyed the Ermita and the image of the Virgen de la Soledad was temporarily housed in San Juan de Diós Church.
*1865 – Another printing of the novena by the ''Imprenta de M. Sanchez Calle Anloage Binondo''. The ''stabat Mater'' in Spanish was added together with a prayer in Latin.
*1869 (July 6) – Timoteo Sanchez was appointed as chaplain of the Ermita.
*1870 (August 12) – Roman Pilapil was appointed as chaplain of the Ermita.
*1871 – The convent of the Ermita was repaired extensively. Some properties owned by the Ermita were sold to subsidize the expenses.
*1874 – A running balcony was constructed in the second floor of the sacristy, worked was initiated by Juan Dilag.
*1879 – A big bell was donated to the Ermita by various devotees of the ''Virgen de la Soledad''. This bell was recast in 1890. The bell exist to this day and hangs in the belfry of the San Roque church.
*1880 – The church was closed due to heavy earthquake damage; only the dome and presbytery were spared from cracks.
*1882 (October) Cholera epidemic spread in Cavite and many residents died. Even the politico military governor Don Juan Salcedo was afflicted. An old lady appeared to him and requested that the fiesta of the Virgen de la Soledad be celebrated with the greatest pomp possible. If the request is granted the epidemic will subside. After the governor agreed, he got well and the cholera epidemic was checked.
*1883 – 1886 – Height of Cavite Fiesta. The whole province participated in the affair. Streets covered by the route of the procession were carpeted and canopied and lighted with crystal lanterns.
*1892 – The fiesta of Cavite was featured in the Spanish newspaper, Manililla. The governor of Cavite Don Juan Francisco Rodriguez opened the ''Exposición Regional de Cavite''. The hymn Reina de Cavite was composed by Don Julian Felipe, the national anthem composer.Romanillos, Emmanuel Luis A. (2006). "Chabacano studies: essays on Cavite's Chabacano language and literature", pg. 125. Cavite Historical Society.Delos Reyes, Aloma Monte (1994). "Sto. Niǹo de Molino Bacoor, Canite 1984-1994: the making of a parish", pg. 139. Parish of Sto. Nino de Molino, Bacoor, Cavite.

20th century

*1909 (October 21) – the first American Archbishop of Manila Jeremiah James Harty granted 100 days of indulgence to those who will make pious devotion to the Virgen de la Soledad.
*1914 – The fiesta of Cavite was featured in the society magazine, "Cultura Social".
*1929 (June 13) – Pedro Lerena of Logroño Spain became the parish priest of San Pedro in Cavite Puerto. He was at the same time appointed as rector of the Ermita. Lerena took care of the Virgin until his death.
*1932 – Lerena beautified the Ermita. He opened new windows and widened the older ones. He installed a new communion rail made of narra and marble. He also installed electric chandeliers.
*1941 – 1942 – The Japanese imperial forces entered Cavite. The Ermita de la Soledad was sealed and the image was junked at Sangley Point. Lerena retrieved the image and brought it to Manila.
*1942 (November) – The fiesta of the Virgen de la Soledad was celebrated in Quiapo Church.

*1943 – 1944 (November) – The fiestas of the Virgen were celebrated at the Manila Cathedral.
*1944 – The Ermita was reduced into rubbles by series of American and Japanese carpet bombings. When the Archbishop's Palace in Intramuros was bombed, the image was kept in one of the values of the Philippine National Bank.
*1945 – What was lef of the Ermita was bulldozed. Lerena returned the image of the Virgen de la Soledad to Cavite and enshrined it at San Roque Church.
*1946 – A small carroza for the procession of the Virgen de la Soldead was made since the old carroza de plata was lost during the war. This new carroza is still used during the caracol of the Virgin.
*1951 – A miniature galleon was made a carroza of the Virgin for the procession. It is still used to this day.
*1954 – The image of the ''Virgen de la soledad'' was brought to Luneta for the Marian Year celebration. San Roque Church, the shrine of the Virgin became the venue for the vicarial of the Marian Year.
*1972 (May 25) – Lerena, the caretaker of the Virgin for 47 yrs. passed away.
*1976 – The new parish priest Baraquiel Mojica bought the replica of the Virgen de la Soledad to the different towns of Cavite province to promote the devotion to her.
*1977 – Exhibits of old souvenir programs of the fiestas of the Virgen and old photos of Cavite were displayed at the patio of San Roque Church during the fiesta.
:1978
:*(Jun 12) The Our Lady of Solitude Foundation was established from the proceeds of the safe of the Ermita lot.

:*(November 17) – Apostolic Nuncio Bruno Torpigliani placed an episcopal crown, donated by Arturo Mañalac.
*1981 – The story of the Virgen de la Soldedad was made into a movie entitled ''Ang Milagro sa Porta Vaga'' (). Sor Agustina Salcedo, the granddaughter of Don Juan Salcedo authored the script.

Theft and recovery

:1984
:*(March 16) – The image was stolen from her altar in San Roque church.
:*(August 15) – The image was retrieved by Antonio G. Nazareno and had it authenticated by church authorities.
:*(August 19) The bishop announced the recovery of the authentic image.

:*1990 – Preparatory stage of the Tricentennial Celebration initiated by Felix Perez. The image of the Virgin made a sentimental visit to Quiapo church.
:1991
:*April 12 – Solemn opening to the Tricentennial Celebration

:*May 12 First grand Marian Procession held in Cavite in honor to the Virgen de la Soledad. It was participated by more than 42 images of the Virgin.

:*June – July – The replica of the Virgin de la Soledad was brought to the United States to Visit the Caviteño communities.

:*September – Oct – the delegation from Cavite brought the image of the Virgin back to the United States upon the fervent request of her other devotees.

:*October – A Marian Congress was held in San Roque in honoring the Virgen de la Soldead. A perpetual Rosary Devotion was held before the image of the Virgen de la Soledad.

:*October 19 – Development Foundation was launched at the Manila Hotel with the Ambassadors of Spain and Mexico as guests.

:*November 1991 – The image of the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad in Barrio Soledad (now Camba in Binondo) was brought to Cavite City. The image must have been brought by the Caviteños who settled in that particular place in Binondo. It has been venerated in Camba since 1887.

:*November 1991 – The Historical Marker commemorating the Tricentennial of the Enthronement of the Soledad was unveiled by Bishop Felix Perez of Imus and Mayor Timoteo Encarnacion of Cavite City at the former site of the Ermita de Porta Vaga. The Marker was granted by the National Historical Institute upon the approval of Director Serafin Quiazon.
:1992
:*December 1991 – The century-old Maytinis of Kawit, Cavite representing the different personalities in the Bible through colorful floats was re-enacted in CaviteCity in honor of the Soledad. It is traditionally held in Cavite on the eve of Christmas.

:*February 1992 – The original image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno made a sentimental visit to the shrine of the Soledad. It was the first time that the said image was brought out of Quiapo to the place where it first landed over three hundred years ago. The most emotional part of the visit was when the Soledad met the Nazareno at the junction of Ronquillo Street. The Sorrowful Mother meeting the Suffering Son.

:*March 1992 – The Soledad Visual Art Competition was held. Many young Caviteño artists participated painting the Soledad.

:*April 1992 – A press conference was held in Cavite City on the Porta Vaga Festival in celebration of the Tricentennial of the Soledad. Over 30 press people from Manila were ferried to Cavite. Alter a tour to Cavite's historical sites, the members of the press were treated with a sumptuous Caviteño lunch and a press conference was followed.

:*April 12, 1992 – The Soledad Tableau was presented by high school students in San Roque Parish Church. The tableau re-enacted the apparition and the coronation of the Soledad.

:*April 24, 1992 – the commemorative stamps issued by the Philippine Postal Services office on Apr 12 1992 was formally presented to Mayor Tim Encarnation and Pedro Arigo, the Diocesan administrator of Cavite. The stamp was designed by Rafael Asuncion and approved by the Postmaster General Jorge Sarmiento. Four hundred thousand stamps were issued under two denominations.
:*April 24, 26 – The closing ceremonies to the Tricentennial celebration dubbed as Porta Vaga '92 was held at the former site of the Ermita de Porta Vaga. It was a 3-day religious-cultural celebration honoring the Soledad.

21st century

:2017
the 350th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Original icon in the shores of Cavite.
*July 21- Nomination of the image thru a letter address to Director Jeremy barns of the National Museum.
*August 30- Stakeholders meeting and Public hearing for the Nomination of the image as National Cultural Treasure.
*September 28 – The panel of Experts unanimously approved the NCT nomination.
*November 19 - the four venerated images of Our Lady of Solitude of Buhi from Albay, Nueva Ecija, Camba Manila and the Estampa image From the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Seminary in tagaytay was brought together for the first time in cavite and graced the streets of Cavite City in a grand Procession
:2018
:*18 November – Canonical Coronation of La Virgen de la Soledad de Porta Vaga officiated by Gabrielle Giordanno Caccia, Nuncio to the Philippines. The solemn ceremonies enacting the Papal act was jointly presided by Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, and Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D., Bishop of Imus, on 18 November 2018.

:*24 November – Public declaration of the image of La Virgen de la Soledad de Porta Vaga as National Cultural Treasure. Hon. Gemma Cruz Araneta give the keynote speech.

:*12 April 2019 – Unveiling of the Marker of the image as NCT. According to Gemma Cruz-Araneta, former director of the National Museum, this was the first time an ecclesiastical artifact was declared a national cultural treasure.

Miraculous claims and apparition

According to local legend, a Spanish ''carabinero'' Soldier on sentry duty on the Rosario isthmus one stormy night saw a halo of bright light amongst storm clouds above Canacao Bay. Thinking the light to be coming from Islamic pirates intent on sacking Cavite, the sentry shouted a challenge to the lights as they approached him. When the light did not stop, he again called out. A calm and soothing voice replied from the light:

The soldier, struck with awe and confusion, replied:

The morning followed the stormy night. The early risers, mostly fishermen and workers at the Cavite Royal Arsenal usually passed through the Porta Vaga gate in entering the puerto. Along the beach of Cañacao Bay, they found a framed image of the Virgen de la Soledad lying on the sandy shore. It was close to the spot where the Virgin appeared the previous night. Others claimed it came with the debris of a Spanish galleon that sank during the fierce typhoon. They brought the image to the parish priest, who temporarily installed it in the parish church. Later, a small chapel was built near the Porta Vaga walls and for three centuries it became the shrine of the Virgen de la Soledad.

An inscription was found at the back of the painting, ''"A doze de Abril 1692 años Juan de Oliba puso esta Stsma. Ymagen Haqui."'' This inscription says that "this sacred image was placed here on April 12, 1692 by Juan Oliva" but it does not clearly tells us the exact date of the Virgin's arrival. It is possible that it is the date when the Virgin was enthroned at the altar of the Ermita de Porta Vaga in the 17th century. Devotees of the Virgen de la Soledad were not satisfied in placing her in one of the seven churches of Cavite Puerto. They decided to build for her the Ermita de Porta Vaga, a small chapel near the gate of the Porta Vaga, the fortlet guarding the entrance to the Puerto de Cavite. For three centuries, it became the shrine of the Virgin. Text was copied from this source, which is available under
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Philippines
(CC BY-SA 3.0 PH) license.

* During the typhoon in 1830, a fire caused by lightning bolt hit the wooden altar of the Ermita and razed the chapel to the ground, but the image of the Virgin remained intact among the ashes.
* In 1856, another terrible typhoon flooded the houses, churches and public buildings within the Puerto but the Ermita, as well as its patio were found dry so the people took refuge in the Church.
* On 30 June 1857, a Spanish frigate based in Cavite and named ''Lucero'' was caught by a violent typhoon off the coast of Albay