A LOCAL priest, Reverend Father Joemar Solano, initiated the construction of the "Payag ni Padri Pio" inside their family's property in Purok 6, Barangay Alangilan as a show of his personal devotion to the saint.
The area has a ragged landscape, thus only bikers, motorcycle riders and those with pick-up trucks can visit there.
The local community who lives closer to the chapel made only of nipa huts and bamboo frequent the area to tighten their devotion to the saint, who is recognized as a man of charity and piety being the patron saint of civil defense, volunteers, adolescents and stress-relief.
Fr. Solano said it all started when Covid-19 first broke out in March and he often drove to their property in Alangilan, which is a secluded area, as his preventive measure against the deadly virus.
As Alangilan is known for its devotion to the Holy Rosary, he would lead the praying of the Holy Rosary where they walk from the Alangilan proper down to the Chapel, which is more or less two kilometers in distance.
"So every afternoon, we pray the Rosary. And the idea to put up this chapel out of my devotion to Padri Pio crossed my mind. The community also supported the idea and we helped each other in building this chapel. This chapel came about as a private initiative," he said.
Nenita Solano, the aunt of Fr. Solano, said she is also a devotee of Padri Pio. She has experienced a great relief out of her devotion to the saint.
She was diagnosed with aneurysm. But she continued to pray to God with the intercession of Padri Pio until her physical condition improved.
The neighborhood usually comes to the chapel to pray and light a candle.
Some people who are devotees of saint Pio but are not residents of the barangay also visit the chapel to say their prayers.
Bikers who engage in trail rides also visit the place.
Fr. Solano has put up signages that will help lead other people to the chapel. At the entrance, there is a huge tarpaulin showing the picture of Padri Pio with his prominent passage: "Pray, hope and don't worry."