Papal Nuncio crowns Binangonan's 'Our Lady of Laguna Lake'
By Nel Andrade
Published Jan 17, 2026 11:15 pm
The Diocese of Antipolo now has eight images of the Virgin Mary that are crowned by virtue of the blessing from the Vatican.
This came as Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown officiated the crowning of the Nuestra Señora de los Angeles in Binangonan, Rizal, in a historic ceremony Saturday evening, Jan. 17.
(Photo by Nel Andrade/Manila)
The Pontifical coronation was co- officiated by Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos in the Nuestra Señora Delos Angeles Parish Church in Pilapila, Binangonan, a lakeshore community in the municipality.
The Nuestra Señora Delos Angeles is flanked by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown and Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos (photo from parish FB page)
(photo from Nuestra Senor Delos Angeles Parish FB page)
Hundreds of parishioners and local officials led by Rizal Gov. Nina Ynares, Binangonan Mayor Rhea Ynares and Vice Mayor Russel Ynares along with members of the Sangguniang Bayan witnessed the event.
Prior to the coronation rites, the Binangonan Municipal government tended a civic reception for Archbishop Brown, who serves as the Vatican's official representative of Pope Leo XIV.
The Binangonan Municipal government welcomed Archbishop Charles Brown and Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos in a civic welcome ceremony at the Binangonan Municipal ground (photo by Nel Andrade)
During the welcome ceremony, Brown thanked and blessed the local government and the people for the welcome ceremony.
Binangonan municipal government officials and Rizal Gov. Nina Ynares pose for a photo opportunity with Archbishop Brown and Bishop Ruperto Santos (photo by Nel Andrade/Manila Bulletin)
From the municipal hall grounds, the local officials led Brown and Bishop Santos to the Saint Ursula Parish Church where the Our Lady of the Angels was brought prior to the motorcade to the parish church in Barangay Pilapila for the crowning ceremony.
In his homily, Archbishop Brown highlighted Mary's obedience to the will of God during the incident when she and Joseph found their son in the temple in Jerusalem.
Archbishop Charles Brown and Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos join the procession to the church - photo by Nel Andrade
The Papal Nuncio also greeted the people as the country is celebrating the feast of the Santo Nino, a feast that is unique in the Philippines and among Filipino Catholics abroad.
Prior to the church ceremony, devotees danced and sang the hymn to their patroness as the Nuestra Señora Delos Angeles is carried on the shoulders of the men and women bearers
(Devotees gather around the Our Lady of Laguna Lake during the procession on Jan. 17 (Photo by Nel Andrade)
The evening celebration was capped with a grand fireworks display.
On Sunday morning, the devotees held a fluvial parade in honor of their newly crowned patroness, also addressed as the Our Lady of Laguna Lake and as the La Reina y Madre de Binangonan (The Queen and Mother of Binangonan).
With the Jan. 17 coronation in Binangonan, the Pilapila image became the 8th canonically crowned Marian image in the Antipolo diocese.
The other Virgin Mary images are:
- Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Antipolo)
- Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados (Marikina)
- Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu (San Mateo)
- Nuestra Señora de la Lumen (Cainta)
- Nuestra Señora del Santo Rosario de Cardona (Cardona)
- Nuestra Señora de Fatima de Marikina (Marikina)
- Nuestra Señora de la Annunciata de Boso-Boso (Antipolo).
Policemen led by Rizal Police director Col. Feloteo Gonzalgo and Binangonan chief of police, Lt.Col. Evangeline Santos ensured the safety of the even participants.
Police personnel led by Rizal Police Provincial Office director, Col. Feloteo Gonzalgo and Binangonan chief of police Col. Evangeline Santos ensure the safety of the visitors during the historic event on Jan. 17 (photo from Binangonan PNP's FB)