CEBU, Philippines - Was it a miracle, apparition or mere solar activity when the sun “danced” before the eyes of some people here?
A fruit vendor said she was told by a retired teacher that the latter saw the sun appeared to be “dancing” when the Birhen sa Simala icon arrived in this city at past 5 p.m. Monday.
The “dancing sun” during the arrival of the image of the Virgin Mary of Simala from Cebu has become the talk of the town, but Church authorities could not confirm this yet.
The Birhen sa Simala image was carried in a fluvial procession along the narrow strait between this city and Panglao island.
The Birhen sa Simala had drawn thousands of devotees from afar, via buses and other vehicles, who queued for hours just to get near the icon that was eventually placed at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in this city.
The devotees, during the two-day vigil, believed the Virgin Mary’s image from Sibonga in Cebu has miraculous powers.
The Birhen sa Simala has been known for “shedding tears” on her birthday, September 8, as well as being “teary-eyed” in 1998 (August 17, August 22, September 8 and October 13)), as well as in September 8, 1999.
The petals on which the tears fell below the image were dried and made souvenir by the pilgrims, a devotee said. (FREEMAN)