With the sequestration of the original image by the Aglipayans during the revolution, the Catholics had to be contented with the replicas of what was identified as Nuestra Senora de la Paz (sometimes with an additional appellate, y Buenviaje) or our Lady of Peace (and Good Voyage). Countless miracles had been attributed to the said replicas one of them being made a Pilgrim or travelling image.
Elizabeth Almazan or Nana Masay heroine of San Narciso for saving many Filipinos when she served as interpreter for the Japanese was a visionary of Our Lady even when she was not a Catholic yet. Although dressed in a different manner, one can say that she was Our lady of peace as she gave Nana Masay great solace and peace when she saw her. Before the Americans landed in San Narciso, while she was with her friends; Mary Nakashima, a Japanese national like her and another heroine of San Narciso, American Elizabeth Stocks, the visionary saw a silver cross in the La Paz skyline. She interpreted it to mean that the war was coming to an end.
Indeed, on January 29, 1945, the Americans landed on the beach of La Paz village marking the penultimate times before the actual Japanese surrender. It was a peaceful landing with the Japanese evacuating already the San Narciso garrison and even inviting Nana Masay’s family to flee with them. What was clear to the San Narciso townsfolk then was the intervention of Our Lady of Peace against a possible cannonade by American battleships as reported by guerilla leader Numeriano Fabie who recounted that when the Americans were about to land they planned to bombard the town because of the reported presence of a Japanese garrison. He recounted; “I sent three of my men, Lt. Aureliano Tadena, Pvt. Casimiro Udarbe, and Pvt. Pablo Magno, on board a non-motorized boat (sibit-sibit) to approach the big American ships at night to inform their captains that La Paz was a friendly area. As they did, they saw a beautiful Lady hovering over the ships covering the guns with her hands…” it was only fitting that the village of La Paz is named in her honor.
After so many decades after the times of peace have brought many progressive changes in San Narciso town, a different story will be told about Nana Masay and the Lady who brought her peace. Paul Anthony Fontillas, grandson of Elizabeth Stocks-Fontillas figured in a grave motor accident. Abandoned on the road already close to his home, he was beyond recognition when brought to the hospital by the helpful neighbor, Christopher Fantony who didn’t even know that it was Paul he brought to the hospital. To make the story short, Paul by all vital signs was supposed to die but many people who knew him stormed heaven with prayers through the intercession of Nana Masay and Our Lady. Karen Fontillas, Paul’s sister at that time was in the U.S. Upon learning Paul’s grave condition, the first thing she did was approach the statue of Our Lady which Paul gave her and ask Nana Masay to pray for Our Lady’s intercession, too. She informed all the friends and relatives of the family to pray for Paul. The very next day, she went to the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace in Santa Clara, California.
At Ridon’s St. Jude Hospital ICU Paul’s life was ebbing despite the miraculous help pouring in. But there would be one outstanding miracle as he lay on his bed at the ICU; Nana Masay came with Our Lady behind her and told Paul that he will be going home. Paul thought it meant he was about to die but he woke up to find himself miraculously feeling better. He had a very remarkable fast recovery which surprised everyone at the hospital. Records will show that he should have not recovered that fast but he was really and literally going home. Today, it is not surprising that the Fontillas family is advocating that Nana Masay, who is trusted by Our Lady of Peace would someday be recognized as a saint because there are many other recipients of God’s grace when they asked for her help. Paul’s case is just one among many.
Let us therefore be reminded that Ina Poon Bato or Apu Apang is the same Lady who brings us peace, Our Lady of Peace-the Blessed Virgin Mary!
