Photo Credit: Teddy Pelaez
Remembering the “Paglikas sa Colaique”: Antirpo’s 81st‑Anniversary Walk of Faith | On February 14, 2026, the streets of Antipolo once again echoed with the footsteps of history. In a heartfelt reenactment of the 1945 wartime exodus, devotees and longtime residents retraced the perilous route that led them, together with the beloved Marian image Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje, to the sanctuary of Sitio Colaique.
Photo Credit: Teddy Pelaez
The original “Paglikas sa Colaique” unfolded amid the chaos of World War II. As Japanese forces occupied the Philippines and Allied bombings scarred the town, Antipoleños lifted the statue of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage from the cathedral, fleeing to the remote sitio for safety. The image, they believed, was more than a relic—it was a living shield, offering hope and protection in the darkest hours. After the war, the Virgin was returned to the cathedral, but the memory of that night endured, woven into the city’s religious identity.
This year’s commemoration, organized by the Antipolo Cathedral and local parish groups, invited families, parishioners, and history buffs to walk the same dusty trail, carrying a replica of the Marian statue while chanting prayers that have resonated for eight decades. Social‑media feeds swelled with photos of solemn faces, children clutching rosaries, and elders sharing stories of the original flight. Hashtags such as #PaglikasSaColaique and #AntipoloRemembers trended locally, turning the event into a digital pilgrimage as well as a physical one.
Beyond the ritual walk, the day featured a brief homily at the cathedral, reflections on resilience, and a communal Mass that emphasized gratitude for peace and safe passage. For many, the reenactment was not merely a nostalgic tableau but a vivid reminder that faith can guide a community through turmoil.
As the sun set over the rolling hills of Rizal, the echo of those 1945 footsteps lingered—affirming that Antipolo’s devotion to the Virgin of Antipolo remains a living, protective presence, ready to lead its people forward, no matter the storm.
