The Municipal Tourism Office of the Northern Philippine pilgrimage site Manaoag in Panagsinan reports that 3.2 million pilgrims made their way there between January and September of this year.

According to municipal tourism operations officer Brendon Natividad, arrivals hit their peak in May, the height of the Philippine religious festival season, with 623,616 visitors.

Natividad added that Manaoag expects to welcome more visitors in the upcoming long weekend for the observance of All Souls’ Day, the Christmas break, and during the Galicayo Festival in December.

Tourism office data show 623, 616 tourists visited the town in May or during school break.

What can be seen in town

Natividad said religious tourism, mostly in the form of group or individual pilgrimages in or out of season, remains the town’s biggest draw.

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag, believed to be miraculous, tops the tourist destinations in the town, with around 3.2 million visitors.

Other attractions include the Virgin’s Well in the village of Purago with 44,814 visitors in the first three quarters of 2024; Amber’s Paradise, a hotel resort, with 15,518; One Alo Resort with 7,912; and Baba’s Eco Farm with 433.

Natividad added that they are also excited about the upcoming Paskuhan or Christmas events in the town and the annual Galicayo Festival in the first week of December.

Galicayo is a unique celebration of faith, culture, and arts in honour of the Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag.

Natividad added: “We hope to even reach around six million tourist arrivals this year [thanks to these upcoming events.]”