Story and Photos By Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga
Two opposite climes. One Mother protecting her people.
The devotion to Nuestra Señora de La Salud (Our Lady of Health) has now spread in different parts of the world. The image and devotion that originally came from the hands of the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Mexico have reached the tropical upland community of Sitio Ansulag, Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City and the icy North American settlement of Saskatchewan, Canada.
The Protectress of Them All
Last November 3 to 5, 2025, a large part of the Visayas was battered by Typhoon Tino (internationally named Kalmaegi). Several communities in Northern Negros suffered from heavy flooding and strong winds, including some villages in San Carlos City and Calatrava. Meanwhile, some areas in the vicinity of Mt. Kanlaon were destroyed by lahar.
But, the upland community of Sitio Ansulag, Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City, where a river also cuts across, was cradled in safety. The river water did rise but spared even the barns and pigpens that many residents placed near the river. The public elementary school atop the hill, overlooking the whole community, was not even touched by Tino’s strong winds, not one roofing was out of place, not one branch of surrounding trees was broken.
Hernan Balansag, school principal of Ansulag Elementary School, said that during the typhoon’s landfall, he feared that there would be damages at the school since it sat vulnerable to strong winds. But when the wind and rain died down, the principal, who had been the school’s administrator for at least two years now, received a report that all was well.
The Blessed Virgin, housed in the grotto of the school just below a mango tree, protected the community that welcomed, celebrated and is devoted to Her since Her coming in 2022.
Then, despite the class suspensions, the elders tasked to watch over the school when the teachers were not around pushed through with the Novena in Honor of Nuestra Señora de La Salud, beginning on November 8—a fitting homage to the Queen of Ansulag who watched over Her beloved people despite the super typhoon.
On November 19, 2025, Rev. Fr. Cristopher C. Maspara, OAR, president of Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos, Inc., visited Ansulag once again and led the people in celebrating the Thanksgiving Mass in honor of La Salud’s feast day. At the same time, the school and community also held the yearly Family Day. Pupils and their parents offered from the bounty of their homes—from flowers to bananas and even rice were brought at the feet of La Salud.
They all called Her “miraculous.”
La Salud in Canada
In 2024, Fr. Maspara brought an image of La Salud to Regina, Province of Saskatchewan, Canada and gifted Her to the Holy Rosary Cathedral where the parish priest is a kabayan, a Bicolano, Rev. Fr. Danilo Rafael.
The Filipino community of Saskatchewan had devoted to Her since. On November 17, 2025, Canadian time, they celebrated her feast day with the solemn Thanksgiving Mass and a fellowship gathering.
The same devotion from the Philippines to Canada united God’s people. In turn, La Salud granted Her protection no super typhoon could beat.
