The Philippines is referred to as un pueblo amante de Maria—a people in love with Mary. Such an appellation comes from the fact that the spirit of Marian devotion in the country is so strong, as evidenced by numerous churches, places and even public holidays dedicated to the Mother of God. While true for most parts of the country, it cannot be any more truer for the Bicol Region.

While Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia holds the title of being the titular of Bicolandia, the province of Albay is dedicated to a different title of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Nuestra Señora de Salvacion. Considered as the protectress of Albay since antiquity, the original image of Our Lady of Salvation is housed in a shrine in Jaroan, Albay. We were not able to go to the shrine due to time constraints, but we were able to visit a monumental reminder to the Virgin’s protectorate over the land.

Located in the middle of a rotonda share by barangays Dita, Pawa and Tamaoyan in Legazpi City, Albay, the 15–meter statue of Our Lady of Salvation was made in 2021. While the enormous rotonda image was just recent, the devotion of Albay to the Virgin Mother under the said title dates back as far as 1775. In 1975, Albay was placed under the heavenly patronage of Our Lady, followed by the canonical coronation of the original image in the year that followed.

We had to park at the side of the road for us to be able to approach the statue of Our Lady at the middle of the road. Only Mama, Ran and I went out of the car as exhaustion has already taken toll on our other companions.

The Salvacion Rotonda would be our last stop before finally heading back to our accommodation in Sipocot, Camarines Sur. It was a fitting end to the very long day that started in the home of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. We have gone full circle on our pilgrimage on a literal circle—a roundabout. It was as if we were being given a reminder of faith that as our lives go on a full circle, the Blessed Mother is always there, guiding us to her Son.

It was indeed a long day, but the day that would follow would be far longer. Turned out that we would be in an experience where we would appreciate all the prayers that we uttered during our trip to Bicolandia.