Four Brand-New Cars Destroyed Before Blessing in Manaoag
PANGASINAN — Four brand-new cars were damaged when a fallen acacia tree crushed them at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag.
The accident happened around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in the area where cars are usually blessed before their first use. The vehicles, including a commuter van and three SUVs, were brought to the church to be blessed by a priest, a common Filipino tradition believed to protect new cars from accidents and bad luck.
Fortunately, no one was hurt in the accident, but one brand-new SUV was badly damaged as it was directly hit by the falling tree. Local authorities, including the Manaoag Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, quickly responded and cleared the fallen tree. They confirmed that everyone at the scene was safe.
Mayor Jeremy Rosario personally went to the site to speak with the vehicle owners and assess the situation. Officials assured the public that steps would be taken to prevent similar accidents, especially in areas where blessings and gatherings are held.
In the Philippines, many car owners bring their new vehicles to churches like the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag or the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo to have them blessed. This tradition is believed to protect vehicles from harm and bad luck.
Unfortunately, in this case, the four vehicles were damaged before they could even be blessed, showing that accidents can still happen despite precautionary rituals. The incident serves as a reminder to always stay careful, even in places considered sacred and safe.
Related Post: Madam Inutz 1st Brand New Car Wrecked Due to an Accident