Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Piat — Attraction in Cagayan

Our Lady of Piat is a revered Marian image in the Philippines, specifically enshrined in Piat, Cagayan. Known as the "Black Virgin Mary", she is one of the most venerated images of the Blessed Virgin in the country and holds the title "Queen of the Valley", referring to the Cagayan Valley region.

History and Significance

The image was originally brought to the Philippines by Dominican friars from Macao in 1604.

It was first placed in Lallo, Cagayan, then transferred to Piat in 1622 due to its growing devotion.

Our Lady of Piat is known for miraculous healings and intercessions, drawing thousands of devotees yearly.

Our Lady of Piat Basilica Minore

The image is housed in the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat, which was elevated to a minor basilica status in 1997.

The church is a major pilgrimage site and is particularly crowded every July 2, the feast day of Our Lady of Piat.

Miracles and Devotion

Numerous miracles have been attributed to her intercession, including healings and answered prayers.

The devotion continues to grow, and Piat remains a pilgrimage center in...

On-going construction when I visited. Less hectic and crowded when it is non-church day.

How to get this church from Aparri: Ride Van (P250.00/pax) or Bus to Tuguegarao -Drop-off is Van station besides Robinson's Tuguegarao Ride tricycle (fare is (P60.00 for special ride) to Magno jeep station. For shared rides you can pay P25.00 until Plaza and then another P25.00 until Magno. Most tricycle drivers in Tuguegarao are so scheming and won't follow the fare tariff. They will insist that the distance is far so to the destination and will ask for special fare payment. You must be firm in refusing this unfair practice. There are vans to Piat at the Shell station in the early morning. You will have to try your luck finding one past 7 am as per the people in the area. Ride Jeep/Van to Piat Pay P100.00 if you take the jeep and if the driver drops you off at the church proper. Pay around P75.00 to P80.00 (jeep) or P100.00 (van) if you are dropped off at the Jeep and Van station at Maguilling. Take tricycle (P25.00/pax shared ride) to...

A beautiful church and pilgrimage site that has increasingly been ruined by the "touristification" of the grounds. Arbitrary rules being enforced by people not even associated with the church itself keeping people from even entering the grounds all in an effort to make even more money by directing visitors to the hordes of sellers right at the unguarded gate. A church should not be a tourist trap money making scheme. But that is what Our Lady of Piat has become.

The arbitrary rules penalizing the faithful are also quite discriminatory in nature and seems to have been implemented by people who are more interested in only welcoming a certain "class" of people (read: those well off and with money) rather than the everyday Filipino faithful merely wanting to pray and reflect in the presence of the Apo Baket image.

Really disappointing. And most will probably be better off praying and honoring your faith at home in your own time rather than at this once-amazing...