NEWSFLASH

VIRGIN MARY’S STATUE ‘DANCING’ IN VALENZUELA CHURCH

Valenzuela City, Feb. 10, 2000 - A church in Pulo, Valenzuela City has been the object of curiosity seekers, religious groups and sick people seeking miraculous cures, after word went around that a stone statue of the Our Lady of Lourdes inside the church was seen "moving" as if dancing.

Hundreds upon hundreds of the faithful, reporters, and the plain curious kibitzers had been trekking to the San Diego de Alcala Church to see for themselves the "miraculous" statue since Tuesday night.

The incident was started by some churchgoers who claim to have seen the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which were clasped in front of her, moving slightly to the left and the right.

Residents said the "phenomenon" was first noticed by young elementary school students of the adjacent San Diego de Alcala Parochial School last Feb. 1 who reported it to school authorities. However, the children's claims were dismissed as illusions of "highly-imaginative" children until a number of mature churchgoers noted the "movement" for themselves while praying to the statue over the weekend.

A resident and regular churchgoer, Rose Trinidad, a city hall employee, confirmed this "miracle" to The STAR during an interview yesterday.

Trinidad said she had noticed that the clasped hands of the statue had indeed moved slightly to the right when she saw it the other day. Earlier, Trinidad said the statue's hands were more noticeably moved to the left. Originally, the Virgin Mary’s hands were clasped in front of her body.

The crowds at the church multiplied today after local television stations featured the “miracle” int heir newscasts.

Other residents told TV reporters that they saw the feet of the statue move forward and backward, “parang sumasayaw.”