MANILA, Philippines — Church leaders, media practitioners, and representatives of religious and Marian groups gathered on March 25th at the Ramon Magsaysay Center in Manila for the official launch of the 2026 Philippine Visit of the Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a nationwide Marian pilgrimage that organizers described as both a spiritual event and a moment of hope for the country.
Held on the Feast of the Annunciation, the press conference formally introduced the pilgrimage’s vision, national scope, and pastoral significance ahead of the image’s scheduled arrival in Manila on June 13, 2026.
The event opened with an official audio-visual presentation by JesCom Productions, which introduced the distinctive devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and situated the Philippine visit within the broader global pilgrimage leading to the 500th anniversary of the apparitions at Tepeyac in 1531.
Ernest L. Escaler, chair of the Guadalupe Pilgrimage Committee, then recounted how the Philippine visit came about and how the initiative gradually took shape through collaboration with Church leaders and partner institutions. He underscored the scale of the undertaking and the desire to make the pilgrimage accessible to Catholics across the country.
Most Rev. Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, D.D., Bishop of Kidapawan and spiritual director of the pilgrimage, reflected on the deeper meaning of the visit for the Philippine Church and nation. He emphasized that the coming of Our Lady of Guadalupe carries particular weight at a time when many Filipinos are burdened by economic hardship, conflict abroad, and political and social unrest at home. In that context, he pointed to the enduring power of Our Lady’s words to St. Juan Diego: “Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?”
A detailed presentation on the pilgrimage route and timetable followed, delivered by Joel Layog of Gourmet Farms, Inc. He outlined the image’s journey to more than 40 cathedrals and shrines across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including its visit to the 132nd CBCP Plenary in Ozamiz City before its eventual permanent installation at the Manila Cathedral.
The media rollout was presented by Justin Pontino, station coordinator of Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM, who shared JesCom’s multi-phase digital campaign for the pilgrimage. Covering the period from March 26 to June 13, 2026, the campaign included official social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under @guadalupeph2026, along with short-form videos, hashtags, and other digital content designed to sustain public interest and devotion in the months leading to the arrival.
Source: TV Maria, Photos by: Jiggo Santos
Members of the press present included representatives from Radyo Veritas 846, TV Maria, CBCP Media, Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, CFC Ablaze Communications, and Limang Siglo. Also in attendance were Paterno R. Esmaquel II of Channel News Asia who joined via livestream, ACN (Aid to the Church in Need) President and DZXL News 558 AM’s Max Ventura, as well as representatives of religious congregations and lay Marian organizations.The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, followed by fellowship among guests. Ultimately, what remained in the room after the microphones were set down was a shared sense that this undertaking was more than a press launch. It was the beginning of a national invitation—to prayer, to renewal, and to finally welcome a Mother long beloved by the Filipino people.
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