Vito Church in Sagay City is the Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer. Barangay Vito is a bustling fishing village along the coast of Sagay City facing Molocaboc Island. Its old name was Narvaez.
Vito Church and the Palapak
Vito church was established during the religious administration of Negros by the Recollect Friars. The first Recollect missionaries were assigned in Vito in 1898 but the church and convent were constructed only in the 1930s.
The religious tradition of palapak is still being practiced at Vito Church. The base of a small statue of St. Vincent Ferrer is lightly pressed on the head of a devotee. Thus it’s called palapak, taken from the word lapak, Hiligaynon meaning “to step on”. A devotee who receives a palapak is said to receive healing through St. Vincent Ferrer’s intercession.
Below is a video of the palapak.
History of the San Vicente Ferrer Image
According to the book Handurawan: Visita Iglesia Negros y Recoletos, a fisherfolk named Juan Barco found a driftwood in Molocaboc Island. He originally wanted to use it as firewood but after several signs and miracles given to him by a saint, he decided to carve an image out of the driftwood. This image was later identified to be St. Vincent Ferrer.
The old wooden image of San Vicente Ferrer at Vito Church is said to have miraculous healing powers. This is the reason why every Friday, especially the first Friday of the month, devotees flock to Vito Church to pray for healing or as part of their panaad (religious vow).
How to Get to Vito Church
The best time to go to Vito church is on the first Friday of the month so you can witness the old tradition of palapak being practiced.
Sagay is approximately 82 kilometers northeast of Bacolod City or approximately 2-hour drive by private vehicle. If you opt to take a bus and Vito, take a Ceres bus at the North Terminal in Bacolod City. If you are not planning to stop by Sagay City proper, take a bus plying north such as Escalante, Toboso or San Carlos City because Barangay Vito is located after the Sagay City proper. Inform the conductor to drop you off at Crossing Vito. From Crossing Vito, ride a tricycle to take you to the San Vicente Ferrer Church or popularly known as Vito Church.
Here’s the location map of Vito Church for your reference.
