The sacred image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia being carried by devotees.
By GERALD O ENGUERO
NAGA CITY: Almost two million devotees trooped to this city to join the weeklong celebration of the Peñafrancia fiesta, considered the biggest Marian devotion in Asia, according to an estimate by the city hall-based Joint Operations Center.
Joselito Del Rosario, Naga City public safety officer and member of the
JOC, made the observation after boarding a chopper and saw the mass of people
on the ground during the Traslacion procession held last September 13, 2013 and
saw more visitors coming for the 9-day novena that ran up to the climactic
fluvial procession last Saturday, Sept 21.
Devotees from all corners of the country and even from abroad formed a
portrayal of stars in the sky as they lighted up candles along the banks of the
historic Naga River during the fluvial procession that brought back the sacred
images of Divino Rostro and Our Lady of Peñafrancia from Naga Metropolitan
Cathedral to its shrine in Basilica Minore.
People that lined the river banks shouted “Viva la Virgen” and threw
confetti of flowers as the Virgin’s pagoda cruised the one kilometer fluvial
route.
The pagoda, with about 200 male devotees and priests on board was
tugged by hundreds of oarsmen popularly called voyadores who maneuvered some 40
wooden boats. Speedboats, inflatable vessels, and other small seacrafts also
joined the procession to assist the pagoda and guide the oarsmen.
Fr Louie Occiano, head of Caceres Commission on Communications of the
Archdiocese of Caceres said the devotees were organized
through their color-coded shirts to maintain order and each group’s role in the
procession.
Peaceful and successful festival
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga last Tuesday approved Resolution
Nos. 2013-245 and 2013-246 expressing the city’s appreciation of the efforts
extended by the JOC and the Solid Waste Management Office to ensure the city’s
peace and order situation and cleanliness before, during and after the
Peňafrancia festival.
According to Vice Mayor Legacion, the members of the JOC showed their
utmost devotion and love for Ina by working hard even during wee hours just to
ensure that the festivity will be celebrated by the millions of devotees in a
solemn and orderly manner.
“There were even volunteer groups from as far as Sorsogon and the
province islands of Masbate and Catanduanes who helped us during the
Peňafrancia festival. Indeed, in the name of faith and love for Our Lady of
Peňafrancia, all the Bicolanos are being
bound into one family with her as our mother,” Vice Mayor Legacion said.
The JOC, led by Mayor John G. Bongat, implemented various changes in
this year’s Peňafrancia festival that beefed up security and safety in the
areas affected by the Fluvial procession.
For one, no vendors were allowed inside the premises of the Basilica
Minore and the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral.
First time
Andrew Cost, a consultant from Melbourne, Australia, said
that he participated in the Fluvial procession as a friend of his was very
enthusiastic in inviting him to witness the said event.
“This is my first time in the Philippines, and I expected the Bicol
region to be quiet, because it’s so far from Manila. However, I have been
pleasantly surprised by the thousands of people visiting for the Peñafrancia
Fiesta! I’ve been to many religious festivals in Europe, but nothing compares
to this event,” said Cost.
Horacio Jongko and his wife, Angelina, shared that it was the first
time they were able to watch the Fluvial procession together as a couple.
Angelina, former resident of Barangay Sta. Cruz of this city, but has
been residing in Cavite for over 30 years now, said she wanted to share the
experience of Peñafrancia festival with her husband who is on vacation in the
Philippines.
“I am working as a seaman abroad, and because it is not often to have a
quality time with my family, I’m making sure that I will spend it in worthwhile
activities.
“Seeing now the massive spiritual experience here in the Peňafrancia
festival, I decided to return back next year, not only with my wife but also
with my children,” said Horacio. – Bicol Mail
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