Paete artists' Virgin installed in Fete des Lumiere
MANILA, Philippines - On Dec. 5, the Filipino community in Lyon will install the new image of La Naval De Manila and join the annual Fete des Lumiere in Lyon, France.
Through the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Paris and Consul Jean-Jacques Rinck, an icon of the Virgin Mary was carved by the best artisans of Paete, Laguna and artist Manuel Baldemor in 2009. Dressed with gold thread brocade from Roy Gonzales and shipped to Lyon by Tetta Agustin, it represents the finest in religious art the Philippines has to offer.
In October of 2010, a procession was held in Lyon in concurrence with the celebration of our Virgin La Naval in Santo Domingo Church in the Philippines. Our Lady under the title of the Virgin of La Naval de Manila saved the Philippines from the Dutch Invasion during the battle of Manila de Bay in October of 1646.
