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Since then, the Grotto has become a symbol of every Gonzaganian’s Catholic faith. Being a religious community,

the people of Gonzaga believe that the municipality has always been spared from strong calamities because of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Mt. Tabungao watching over the municipality with its arms wide-open, guiding
and protecting its people. For the fisherfolks of Gonzaga, the grotto of the lighted Sacred Heart of Jesus at CSU
is not only a symbol of their strong Catholic faith but also their beacon. It has served as their guiding light on

their way home from the ocean after a night of fishing. It is unfortunate to note that the grotto lost its light for
a couple of years but with the Faith & Farm eco-tourism, its light will shine again.

Looking into the symbolic significance of the Sacred Heart of Jesus grotto to the community, CSU-Gonzaga
has reestablished the grotto as part of the ecotourism park, faith, farm, and fun.

As an initial step to this plan, the ceremonial lighting of the grotto was held on October 12, 2018 with the

presence of the then Chair of the CSU Board of Regents, CHED Commissioner Lilian de las Llagas, University
President Dr. Urdujah G. Alvarado and the community of CSU-Gonzaga.

It was a timely activity especially that Gonzaga was still recovering from the devastation caused by typhoon
Ompong on the same year. For a Gonzaganian who was greatly devastated by the unforgiving winds of the
typhoon, the lighting of the grotto of the Sacred Heart of Jesus symbolizes a new beginning. This made the

event more significant as the light coming from the grotto is seen as a symbol of a newfound hope after the
ravaging storm.

At present, CSU Gonzaga continues to improve and promote Faith & Farm eco-tourism site in the campus.
With the support of the LGU-Gonzaga and the CSU Gonzaga Alumni Association, the Campus is about to
begin the construction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Grotto view deck at Mt. Tabungao. This will be integrated

with the Bamboo Sanctuary and demonstration farms which will be packaged as the main components of the
faith and farm ecotourism site in the campus.

A mountain is said to be the meeting point between heaven and earth. With Cagayan State University in
Gonzaga developing the Sacred Heart of Jesus Grotto as a tourist destination, everyone is surely in for a treat
when they experience both being closer to God and to nature at the peak of Mt. Tabungao.

Dr. Glyzelda H. Gonzales
Assistant Professor, CSU-Gonzaga

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