DIOCESAN SHRINE OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LAS SALERAS 4.42

Before Aliaga was founded as a town, she was a vast forest. Few people inhabited the area and it became a dumpsite of humans skeletons so it was named “Pulong Bibit”, “Pulong” meaning an island or a place and “Bibit” meaning ghost.

Aliaga used to be a part of Pampanga which is vast land extending from Cagayan to Manila. In 1848, Gapan, San Antonio, Cabiao and Aliaga were segregated and made part of Nueva Ecija. It was on the 8th of February 1849 that Aliaga was formally erected as town. The first gobernadorcillo was Aniceto Ferry who changed “Pulong Bibit” to “Aliaga” named ater his hometown in Teruwl Spain.
According to the old books of the church, the parish was established in 1849 under the control of the Augustinian Missionaries; Valentin Garcino Payad became the first priest of the parish. The town of Aliaga was place under the guidance of Blessed Virgin Mary named as “Nuestra Señora de las Saleras”.

The name “de las Saleras” was associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary because of the miraculous event.

The Spaniards in search of new colonies in the pacific usually affix a holy image in their shipping vessels. The image of the Blessed virgin or the “Sto. Niño” were commonly placed to serve as a guide and a patron, and also to introduce the Roman Catholic Religion. In one of their voyage, the ship carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary met a fiery storm and the ship slowly sank into the water. The crew prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary to save them and miraculously, the ship floated back to the surface. When the weather was clear, they noticed that the edge of the Blessed Virgin gown was filled with Saltwater, which eventually dried up, became salt and so, she came to be known as Nuestra Señora de las Saleras.

Aliaga is also known as a town of which is frequently is flooded. This may be the reason why the Augustinian priests placed Aliaga under the protection of Nuestra Señora de las Saleras. Aliaga’s first years were described to be progressive and active. She was known then as “Maynilang Munti”. Licab, Quezon and Zaragoza were only barrios of Aliaga before.

The first of parish church was made of light materials. After few years church made of “tisa “ was constructed to house the virgin’s image. The church also bought a land called “Lupang Mitra”to allot resources for the church future growth.
At the end of 19th century several historical events affectedthe hole nationand the church. Revolts against the government of Spain created distraught even among the peace loving people of the town. Augustinian priest were replaced with secular priest. The first one was Fr. Benito Cebrero. The church made of tiles was burned by suspected members of the “Himagsikan”. Several sects such as the “Katolika Indipendiente National”, “Iglesia ni Kristo” and the “Protestante” were founded. Inspite of the challenges,the Roman catholic faith pursued its efforts to spread the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ so in 1926 the “Apostolado ng Panalangin” and “Hijas de Maria” were enacted.

One unforgettable calamity was the great flood in 1936, which submerged almost 100% percent of the town. It was aid that that the raging waters which could have killed hundreds was restrained by a lady described as having a long hair and believed to be the miraculous Nuestra Señora de las Saleras.

Also in the 1960’s the head of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus was stolen. On February 16, 1963, Nueava Ecija was established as a Diocese. It was also during this time whwn the Vatican Council II decreed that the Holy Mass will its prayers and songs be translated to Filipino language from the usual Latin.

As time passed by, several developments were made through the efforts of the local government. Roads were cemented, irrigation projects started the towns you were give a chance for the education. Many townfolks ventured to the capital city and even to foreign countries. And made their mark. But always returning to the land of their birth, sharing their success to the town of Aliaga.

At present, the Catholic Church is journeying towards program as a People of God (to change and knowledge) through the Guidance of our beloved Nuestra Señora de las Saleras.