SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A motorcade featuring 22 Marian images went around the major thoroughfares in this freeport and Olongapo City on Wednesday to highlight the week-long celebration of the birthday of the Blessed Mother.

The celebration, spearheaded by the San Roque Chapel and the chaplaincy of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), started September 1 with the arrival of the 22 images owned by devotees from different parishes throughout Olongapo City and the province of Zambales.

The images were part of the “Lakbay Dasal” (prayer pilgrimage) program organized by the local faithful, said SBMA chaplain Fr. Audie Mozo.
While in the free port, the images were adopted by participating SBMA departments, business locators and religious organizations, which held daily prayers and prepared colorful floats.

Fr. Mozo said that among the featured images were the Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Regla (Black Mother and Child), which was adopted by the SBMA Administrator’s Office; Our Lady of Expectation (the image of Mary as an expectant mother), adopted by the CFC Handmaids of the Lord; Our Lady of the Assumption, by Puregold Subic; Nuestra Señora de Esperanza, by Pier One; and Ina Poong Bato of Zambales, adopted by the Subic Montessori.