Virgin Mary Statue at Boracay is back ...

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DOT installs new Virgin Mary statue at Willy’s Rock

The Department of Tourism (DOT) installed a new grotto and image of the Virgin Mary at Willy’s Rock on Thursday afternoon due to the clamor of residents and tourists to restore it.

The original image was removed by the owner of Willy’s Beach Resort after her family converted to the Born Again faith. The rock protruding along the wide expanse of the white sand beach was named Willy’s Rock since the owner reportedly rented it from the Malay local government.

In an earlier interview with Panay News, Socorro Ruchanie “Bebot” Gadon said she will replace the image with a tablet with the inscription of Exodus 20:1-5.

Gadon’s move gained the ire of the Catholic Church here that vowed to restore the image of Virgin Mary at the rock.

The Malay Sangguniang Bayan declared the rock as government property. This paved the way for the reconstruction of the grotto and the installation of a new image of the Virgin Mary.

Malay Vice Mayor John Yap carried the image since he donated it.

Around 3,500 Catholic faithful, residents and tourists witnessed the ceremonial re-enthronement of the two foot statue.

The rock was also renamed into Boracay Rock.

DOT officials vowed to promote it and its new name around the world.

Boracay parish priest Fr. Maglore Placer said tourists could now again take pictures of the rock with the Virgin Mary’s grotto.

The rock is considered a landmark the Boracay and is the most photographed scene.

Source: Panaynews

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