Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of the Caracol, known locally as Mahal na Birhen ng Santo Rosaryo, Reyna ng Karakol or Nuestra Señora Virgen del Santisimo Rosario, Reina del Caracol, is the patroness of the Municipality of Rosario, formerly known as Salinas, in Cavite province, Philippines.
The icon of the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of the Caracol is painted on canvas and framed in wood with silver adornments of grapes and vines.
A plausible story was told by one of the most respected couple of Rosario – Don Catalino Abueg and Dona Rosa Ner - as to how the virgin came to the town.
Many years ago, in a date which remained unremembered, a strong typhoon visited Manila and the area.
It caused great destruction of life and properties especially to those who lived along the coastal areas of Manila bay.
A strong wind rocked the boat that made the frame swing to the point of almost being dropped in the water.
He beg the virgin to spare his life and that of his companions with the promise that they would build a chapel in her honor as soon as they landed on the shore.
With great joy and gratitude, they built a chapel on a ground which was said to belong to a certain Lieutenant Felix Suasa.
The crew of the boat left leaving a legacy, which became an undying tradition - the town fiesta in honor of the Virgin of the Most Holy Rosary.
On April 21, 1984, Tony Nazareno, the president of the Antique Dealers Association of the Philippines came to examine the painting of the Virgin Mary.
The festivities include the ritual dance-procession called "caracol" (also spelled "karakol", meaning "prayer through dancing" or "pasayaw na pananalangin"), also danced in other festivals within the province of Cavite and thus serves as the local equivalent of Manila's Buling-Buling of the district of Pandacan.
During the eve of the fiesta, the Virgin is placed on a float or andas during the dance-procession, which is then carried on the shoulders by her devotees (mostly male).
In December 1982, the Virgin and the people of Rosario were invited to participate in the annual Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros.
The Cofradia de la Nuestra Senora del Santisimo Rosario, Reina del Caracol (Confraternity of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of Caracol or the Kapisanan ng Mahal na Birhen ng Santo Rosario) is a church organization dedicated to the patroness.