TRAVEL WITH FAITH: Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City

Fort Pilar, the shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar, was built in the 17th century for the protection of Christian settlers against Moro (local Muslim) pirates. History says that Fr. Melchor de Vera, a Jesuit priest-engineer built the fort in 1635 to protect the city from invaders that include the Moros, the Dutch and the British. So its main purpose is to serve as a military defense fortress against the invaders.

The construction of Fort Pilar began on June 23, 1635. With Captain Juan de Chaves and Fr. Melchor de Vera who both arrived in Zamboanga, among them, the Spanish soldiers. When finished, it was originally called The Real Fuerte de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza (Royal Fort of Our Lady of the Pillar of Saragossa).

According to the locals, this fortress became a silent witness to many battles fought by the Spaniards against the Moros. A witness to the heroic courage of Zamboangueños in defense of freedom. More importantly, it is home to legions of devotees who pay tribute to the miraculous Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar.

Today, Fort Pilar is now an outdoor Roman Catholic Marian shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar, the Patroness of Zamboanga City. I found it interesting to see local Muslim residents who come and venerate the Lady. The original image was brought to Zamboanga in 1734 from Zaragoza, Spain where she is its Patroness. Our Lady of the Pillar of Zamboanga has her own beautiful legend which had been told and retold over the centuries. She was believed to be the woman standing in mid air over the Basilan Strait on Sept 21, 1897 who had her right hand raised to stop the rushing waves which could have been a tsunami and again on August 16, 1976 when she appeared at midnight when a killer quake and a tsunami threatened the city.

The fame of the devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar is also common to men as it is to women. I noticed men coming alone to find a corner to pray after lighting a candle or getting in the line for personal prayer and to touch her image. I learned from the candle vendors that most soldiers come here to ask the Lady’s protection before they go on missions.

The place also shared space for a regional branch of the National Museum of the Philippines. Inside and outside the fort are well maintained gardens. The Paseo del Mar, a reclaimed esplanade, protects the fort from the ravages of the sea. Within a short walk is a leisure park, a perfect place for strolling along the walkway or bask in the beautiful seascape in early morning or late afternoon. Indeed, visiting the Fort of Pilar is a spiritual experience. It is historic in nature and to complete the experience, a good dose of nature trip within the city. (Blaze Q. Cantaros | SJWP/SUGID)