The statue of Nuestra Senora de Guia or “Our Lady of Guidance” is the oldest among all those venerated Marian image in the Philippines.
The image of the Our Lady is similar as to the image of the Nuestra Senora de Antipolo, which the Our Lady of Good Voyage.
On May 19 1571 (Saturday), Miguel Lopez de Legaspi envade Manila in honor of the King of Spain, Felipe II. On this occasion one of his soldiers roamed places and reached as far as the seashore (now the site of the Ermita Church) and witnessed the natives pagan worship to a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary placed on top of trunk surrounded by pandan. From that day, according to Anales dela Cathedral de Manila, the Virgen de Guia began to shed the rays of charity i never so many miracles which she wrought in behalf of the people especially the navigators. It is in this light that she was given the title Guia (guide).
Reynaldo de Leon
Santong Pinoy 