Rescuers were amazed after seeing the image of Virgin Mary in a waterfall while responding to villages ravaged by Typhoon Vamco in the Philippines.

Volunteer rescuer Myla Pazziuagan was assigned to bring relief goods in Baggao, Cagayan province when the bizarre image emerged on November 15.

The team, together with the residents, stopped the operation for a moment to gaze at the apparition forming in the gushing waterfalls.

In the video, the waterfall is seen taking the shape of a woman in a white veil and gown facing the landslide-struck village.

It formed the ghostly image of the Virgin Mary - sending devout Christian locals into a frenzy.

Myla said: "I was surprised when I saw Saint Mary’s face during our rescue operation. My hair stood up on my neck. I was in awe. It somehow gave me hope that we will surpass this disaster."

Religious locals believed it was the mother of Jesus, Mary, performing a miracle on them so they can survive the calamity.

Some of them prayed for guidance while others said they were "grateful for being alive" while facing the image.

Typhoon Vamco, known locally as Ulysses, killed at least 63 people in the Philippines before moving eastwards and making landfall in Vietnam.

The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia. More than 86 per cent of the population is Roman Catholic with a further eight per cent belonging to other forms of Christianity.

Catholicism was instilled in the country by Spanish colonisers who stayed in the archipelago for more than 300 years.