The PORTA VAGA and the APPARITION of the VIRGIN of SOLITUDE
The PORTA VAGA
In 1602, the Spaniards built the historical fortress of PORTA VAGA, a 20-foot high fort that guarded the entrance to the Spanish city. The name could have been suggested by the Tagalog puertang bago (“new door”). The massive walls of San Felipe were erected in 1614 to protect the navy yard against incursions by Moro pirates, Dutch invaders and other groups opposing their rule. During the American era, it was used as a station of the US Marines. It was eventually destroyed during the Second World War. The city was officially baptized Cavite that year when it was established as a politico-military district and capital of Cavite province. The Isthmus del Rosario linked Cavite with the mainland.
A plausible legend narrates that many years ago, in a date which remained unremembered, a small detachment of Spanish carabinero was stationed at a sentry post called garitalocated at the end of the isthmus of Rosario. One stormy night, while a Spanish sentinel was on watch at his post despite the dangers brought about by thunderstorm and furious lashes of rain, he perceived a halo of a bright shifting and refulgent light. A dazzling apparition rose from the torrid current of Cañacao Bay startling the sentry with suspicion that it could be Moslem pirates from the south who were planning to ransack the puerto. At that time, Cavite was at the peak of economic prosperity because of the galleon trade. As the light flowed toward the guard, he stood ready and alarmed. Although filled with fear, he shouted “Alto! Alto!” However, instead of executing a halt, the light proceeded toward him. Still in a loud voice, he asked “Quien Vive?” (Who is there?) Then he heard a sweet and melodious voice saying: “Soldadito, porque el alto me das en noche tan fria? Dame paso. No conoces a Maria?” (Soldier boy, why challenge me on a night so cold? Let me pass. Don’t you recognize Maria?) The sentinel, struck with awe and confusion, humbly and repentantly replied: “Perdonad me Virgen Maria, Reina de mi devocion; pues solo soy un soldado fue cumplo mi obligacion!” (Forgive me, my Virgin, Queen of my heart; I am a poor sentinel abiding by his duty.”)
A plausible legend narrates that many years ago, in a date which remained unremembered, a small detachment of Spanish carabinero was stationed at a sentry post called garitalocated at the end of the isthmus of Rosario. One stormy night, while a Spanish sentinel was on watch at his post despite the dangers brought about by thunderstorm and furious lashes of rain, he perceived a halo of a bright shifting and refulgent light. A dazzling apparition rose from the torrid current of Cañacao Bay startling the sentry with suspicion that it could be Moslem pirates from the south who were planning to ransack the puerto. At that time, Cavite was at the peak of economic prosperity because of the galleon trade. As the light flowed toward the guard, he stood ready and alarmed. Although filled with fear, he shouted “Alto! Alto!” However, instead of executing a halt, the light proceeded toward him. Still in a loud voice, he asked “Quien Vive?” (Who is there?) Then he heard a sweet and melodious voice saying: “Soldadito, porque el alto me das en noche tan fria? Dame paso. No conoces a Maria?” (Soldier boy, why challenge me on a night so cold? Let me pass. Don’t you recognize Maria?) The sentinel, struck with awe and confusion, humbly and repentantly replied: “Perdonad me Virgen Maria, Reina de mi devocion; pues solo soy un soldado fue cumplo mi obligacion!” (Forgive me, my Virgin, Queen of my heart; I am a poor sentinel abiding by his duty.”)
A serene and sunny 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.
Legends do not satisfy the curiosity of a seeker. The heavy files of history prove to be an accomodating ally in the earnest search for the truth about the Virgin. In the past, numerous Caviteño writers attempted to give a definite date of Her arrival. Some said that it must be during the second half of the seventeenth century. Others would give a more definite year –1667.
Inspite all available data, the Virgin’s origins and arrival to Cavite is still shrouded with mystery. Perhaps this is one of the main reasons why many devotees have been drawn to Her aura all these years. One thing remains unchallenged even with the advent of changing lifestyles and revolutionary breakthroughs in almost all aspects of human life. Cavite will never be the same again without its Patroness. That, history will find improbable, if not impossible to write.
Legends do not satisfy the curiosity of a seeker. The heavy files of history prove to be an accomodating ally in the earnest search for the truth about the Virgin. In the past, numerous Caviteño writers attempted to give a definite date of Her arrival. Some said that it must be during the second half of the seventeenth century. Others would give a more definite year –1667.
Inspite all available data, the Virgin’s origins and arrival to Cavite is still shrouded with mystery. Perhaps this is one of the main reasons why many devotees have been drawn to Her aura all these years. One thing remains unchallenged even with the advent of changing lifestyles and revolutionary breakthroughs in almost all aspects of human life. Cavite will never be the same again without its Patroness. That, history will find improbable, if not impossible to write.
LA ERMITA DE PORTA VAGA
Pious devotees of the Virgen de la Soledad deemed it but proper to accord Her an abode of Her own where she could reign supreme. They were not satisfied to enthrone Her in one of the seven churches of Cavite puerto. A shrine befitting the unassuming majesty of the spiritual Mother is where the image of the Virgin should belong. So they built for Her the Ermita de Porta Vaga.
Ermita came from the Spanish word which means hermitage. It was called Ermita for it was such a solemn place where people could commune with God in prayer and silence. De Porta Vaga was added because it was built near the Porta Vaga gate. The fortlet guarding the entrance to the Puerto de Cavite was originally known as Puerta Vaga. According to Fray Joaquin Martinez de Zuniga, O.S.A., Vaga came from the tagalog word bago which means new. This gate was comparatively new as compared to the ancient walls of Fuerte Real de San Felipe. Thus, Puerta Vaga evolved into Porta Vaga.
A section in the Almanaque de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, mentioned that the Recollect Fathers, with Father Cenon Naya as its first curate, built the Ermita in 1612. However, the Recollect Fathers arrived in Cavite in 1616 and the Virgin was found in ca.1667. Thus, this date – 1612 is untenable. Others claimed that the Jesuits were the ones who built the Ermita. Up to this day, no one really knows the truth.
Pious devotees of the Virgen de la Soledad deemed it but proper to accord Her an abode of Her own where she could reign supreme. They were not satisfied to enthrone Her in one of the seven churches of Cavite puerto. A shrine befitting the unassuming majesty of the spiritual Mother is where the image of the Virgin should belong. So they built for Her the Ermita de Porta Vaga.
Ermita came from the Spanish word which means hermitage. It was called Ermita for it was such a solemn place where people could commune with God in prayer and silence. De Porta Vaga was added because it was built near the Porta Vaga gate. The fortlet guarding the entrance to the Puerto de Cavite was originally known as Puerta Vaga. According to Fray Joaquin Martinez de Zuniga, O.S.A., Vaga came from the tagalog word bago which means new. This gate was comparatively new as compared to the ancient walls of Fuerte Real de San Felipe. Thus, Puerta Vaga evolved into Porta Vaga.
A section in the Almanaque de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, mentioned that the Recollect Fathers, with Father Cenon Naya as its first curate, built the Ermita in 1612. However, the Recollect Fathers arrived in Cavite in 1616 and the Virgin was found in ca.1667. Thus, this date – 1612 is untenable. Others claimed that the Jesuits were the ones who built the Ermita. Up to this day, no one really knows the truth.