31/08/2026
🇬🇧 English
"Early morning, before the sun even fully rose, I was already on my way up the upland path, carrying our flags with me. I chose to come through the fields because the water there was calmer, safer, and more peaceful compared to the rough, open sea where the waves were wilder. I wanted everything to be ready, simple but meaningful. When I reached our small boat, I carefully placed each flag, making sure they stood tall and proud — not for show, but as a sign of welcome, honor, and faith.
This was for the Dalaw Maria 2026 — the visit of our beloved Mother, Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The wind was strong and the sea was rough, the waves were high and the water was choppy, but we did not turn back. We made the sacrifice. We prepared. We went out. And do you know what touched my heart the most? Out of all the boats gathered along the shore, out of all the people watching from the safety of the land — we were the only ones who sailed out to meet Her. Only our small boat went out into the open water to welcome our Mother.
It did not matter that our boat was small. It did not matter that we did not have fine clothes or expensive things. It did not matter that the waves were against us. What mattered was our heart — sincere, humble, and full of love. We sailed through the waves, flags waving against the wind, carrying our faith across the sea, until we reached Her, until we could welcome Her home.
We escorted the image of our Lady all the way to our chapel here in Sitio Palaypay, Barangay Inapugan, Pilar, Sorsogon — so that our community, our families, and our children may also receive Her blessing and grace.
If only one boat goes out, let it be ours. If only one heart truly believes, let it be ours. Simple people, simple boat, great faith.
Long live Nuestra Señora del Pilar! Viva la Virgen! 🙏💙🌊🚩⛪
— Jerome Miguela Trestiza
🙏🌷❤️"
🇵🇭 Tagalog
"Pagkagising ko pa lang sa madaling araw, bago pa man lubusang sumikat ang araw, dala-dala ko na ang aming mga bandila at naglakad ako pataas patungo sa bukid. Doon ako dumaan sa landas sa itaas dahil alam kong mas kalmado ang tubig doon, mas tahimik, kumpara sa malawak na dagat sa harap kung saan maalon at malalaki ang alon. Gusto kong maging maayos ang lahat — simple man, maging tapat at makabuluhan. Pagdating ko sa aming maliit na bangka, isa-isa kong inilagay ang mga bandila, tinitiyak na nakatayo nang tuwid at mataas — hindi para magyabang, kundi bilang tanda ng pagtanggap, paggalang, at pananampalataya.
Ito ay para sa Dalaw Maria 2026 — ang pagdalaw ng aming minamahal na Ina, Nuestra Señora del Pilar. Malakas ang hangin at magulo ang dagat, mataas ang alon at malakas ang hampas ng tubig, ngunit hindi kami tumalikod. Nagsakripisyo kami. Naghanda kami. Lumabas kami sa dagat. At alam mo ba ang pinaka-tumatak sa puso ko? Sa dami ng bangkang nakapila sa pampang, sa dami ng taong nanonood mula sa ligtas na lupa — kami lang ang lumabas sa laot upang salubungin Siya. Aming maliit na bangka lamang ang tumawid sa alon upang salubungin ang aming Ina.
Hindi mahalaga kung maliit lang ang aming bangka. Hindi mahalaga kung simple lang kami at walang mamahaling kagamitan. Hindi mahalaga kung maalon at mahirap ang dinadaanan. Ang tunay na mahalaga ay ang aming puso — tapat, mapagkumbaba, at punong-puno ng pagmamahal. Lumayag kami sa gitna ng mga alon, nakawagayway ang mga bandila sa ihip ng hangin, bitbit ang aming pananampalataya hanggang sa makarating kami sa Kanya, hanggang sa maihatid namin Siya nang ligtas pauwi sa amin.
Isinama namin ang imahe ng Mahal na Birhen hanggang sa aming kapilya dito sa Sitio Palaypay, Barangay Inapugan, Pilar, Sorsogon — upang pati ang aming komunidad, ang aming mga pamilya, at ang aming mga anak ay makatanggap ng Kanyang pagpapala at pagmamahal.
Kung iisang bangka lang ang lalabas, hayaan na kaming iyon. Kung iisang puso lang ang tapat, hayaan na kaming iyon. Simpleng tao, simpleng bangka, ngunit malalim at tapat ang pananampalataya.
Mabuhay ang Nuestra Señora del Pilar! Mabuhay ang Birhen! 🙏💙🌊🚩⛪
— Jerome Miguela Trestiza
🙏🌷❤️"
