12/09/2024
The spin - off of July's Festivities is finally on its way; La Conmemoracion de Terremoto. A yearly tradition of the Catholic Faithful of Isabela de Basilan honoring its town Patron Saint, Santa Isabel de Portugal, whene she manifested her miracle during the September 21, 1897 earthquake.
The word "Terremoto" is a spanish word for earthquake. Historical accounts have said that on September 21, 1897, the movement of the Sulu Trench caused a strong earthquake and eventually followed by a tsunami. As the waves were approaching our coast, people at that time saw a woman standing on a hill (where the provincial capitol is currently located) and she was making a hand gesture, as if she was shooing the waves away. It was then that the people realized that it was Sta. Isabel, herself, when they noticed that her image installed in the old church, was wet and full of mud at its hemline. Since then, the faithful observe this day as a commemoration of her miracle, which serves as her second fiesta in the town.
