THE FORT PILAR OF ZAMBOANGA CITY

The Forts: was build to stop the moros from constantly raiding the Christian coastal towns of Zamboanga and to protect the Jesuit missions, the foundations of a stone fort were laid in 1635 by order of the Spanish goverment. the construction was directedby the Jesuit Father Melchor de Vera. This fort was known as " the Fort of Saint Joseph" and served the double purpose of a fortress and a penitentiary. In 1662 the Fort were abandoned by the Spanish garrisons which sailed for Manila to help depend the city from the threat of the powerful Chinese pirate Kuesing. The forts were totally destroyed in 1663, to prevent it from failing into the hands of the moros.

The removal of the garrisons and the distruction of the Forts led to the increase in Moro raids in Christian towns which resulted in loss of shipping, the death and capture of thousands. The Spanish Goverment decided to rebuild the forts. The reconstruction began in 1718 and was finished onApril 8th 1719, under the direction of another Jesuit Priest, in the same site where the former one stood.

The newl rebuilt fort, which is the existing one was placed under the protection of the Blessed Virgin of the Pilar of Zaragoza,Spain and since then the fort is called " FORT PILAR".

As to how and when the present image of was carved in stone and happened to be whereit is actually seen thre is no attesting record to that effect except some testimonies of those who witness the miracle.

ON CERTAIN OCCASION ACCORDING TO THOSE WITNESS, ON OCTOBER 12, AN IMAGE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN OF THE PILAR WAS BORN IN PROCESSION TO THE FORTS. THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE FORT WAS LOCATED ON THAT SIDE OF THE FORT WHERE THE PRESENT STONE CARVED IMAGE IS TO BE SEEN. WHILE THE SERVICES WERE IN PROGRESS, THE ALARM WAS GIVEN THAT THE MORO FORCES WERE ABOUT TO MAKE AN ASSAULT. THE FRIGHTENED CONGREGATION RUSHED AND CROWDED INSIDE THE FORT. SUDDENLY THE ENRANCE WAS CLOSED AND SEALED WITH LIME AND STONE. IN CONFUSION... THE IMAGE WAS LEFT ALONE OUTSIDE ON ITS CAROZA. AS THE MOROS MOVE BACK THE CONGREGATION SEARCHED FOR THE IMAGE, FOR ONLY THE CAROZA IS FOUND, FEARING THAT THE MOROS HAS THE IMAGE. BUT AS THEY CHECK THE SEALED ENTRANCE, LOOKING UP THEY SAW A ROUGHLY STONE CARVED IMAGE ABOVE THE ENTRANCE WHICH WAS MIRACULOUSLY CLOSED, THE IMAGE HAS CHANGED HER HAND POSITION, BELIVED TO BE MOVING LIKE A LIVING PERSON AS IT FLOATS TOWARDS IT SPOT, SO ALSO THE INFANT JESUS, INSTEAD OF HOLDING A DOVE IT HOLDS A GLOBE, AS IF TO TELL THE ATTACKING MOROS THAT THEY RULE OVER THE LAND.

Up to now the image is still seen on its location well preserved even during Japanies wars and earthquakes.

The first Image is the original Image of Our Lady of Pilar of Zaragoza Spain. the nex image is that of Fort Pilar and the Fort entrance