The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, Bicol Philippines. All roads and routes will lead to Naga City in Camarines Sur where six million Bicolanos from here and abroad will flock to that progressive city to pay honor to the Virgin of Peñafrancia, miraculous patroness of the Bicol Region.
Millions of Bicolanos will once again show to the whole Christian world their strong faith and loyalty to their Heavenly Mother. amongst triumphant sounding shouts of Viva la Virgen , Bicolanos and pilgrims, with lighted candles in their hands, will kneel on the ground and bow their heads in prayer as the colorful fluvial procession carrying the Virgin plows through the Bicol River in downtown Naga.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims, devotees, tourists come to Naga City, Philippines every September for a nine-day festivities in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of Bicol, endearingly addressed by Bicolanos as INA (mother). The festivities begin with the famous Traslacion procession during which the images of the Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro (Holy Face) are brought by barefooted male voyadores from the Basilica through the main streets of the city to the Cathedral. This procession, which usually lasts for 4 hours, is participated in by thousands of devotees from all over Bicol and other parts of the country.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims, devotees, tourists come to Naga City, Philippines every September for a nine-day festivities in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of Bicol, endearingly addressed by Bicolanos as INA (mother). The festivities begin with the famous Traslacion procession during which the images of the Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro (Holy Face) are brought by barefooted male voyadores from the Basilica through the main streets of the city to the Cathedral. This procession, which usually lasts for 4 hours, is participated in by thousands of devotees from all over Bicol and other parts of the country.
3 years ago, on September 13 2007, the Archdiocese of Caceres started the preparations for the upcoming tercentenary celebration for our beloved Ina. 3 years after, the long wait is over. The last 2 years were devoted to the history and appreciation of Ina. The historical devotion were revisited during the year 2007-2008 and appreciating the devotees was done on the year 2008-2009. Now it is only a month before the said celebration and we can see the promotion done by the Archdiocese. It is said that the theme for the event will be “Sharing the Future in Hope” which hopes to look forward in the future with confidence and to share the fruits of our devotion. Due to the reasons above, our group decided to help promote the said event as it is Bicol's pride. Hopefully, with the help of the video above, we can bestow some of our knowledge about Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia to the viewer thus engaging him/her to participate in the event.
Behind 300 Years
Chosen topic: The Celebration of 300 years of Devotion to Ina
Title: Our Lady of Peñafrancia: The Heart of Bicolandia
I. Background of the Story
In a span of short time, the celebration of 300 years of Ina will took place. In connection with this, our group has chosen this topic and would include:
1. The Countdown
2. A short scope or recap about the history of Ina for commemorating and introduction of topic
3. Interviews from people specifically Bicolanos on their view:
- About the celebration of 300 years of Ina
- On their experiences on how Ina has helped them on their daily lives, work, and studies.
- About their faith and devotion to Ina
4. Other things related with the topic.
Significance of the Story:
1. Commemorates on how Ina has helped a lot on those past years.
2. To prepare the minds of the people for the celebration.
3. How far are our devotion to Ina has come?
4. Early relaying of information of the activities.
5. Sharing of views and stories about Ina.
II. Community Profile
Naga City
The City of Naga is a city of the Philippines. Located in the Bicol Region, a peninsula on the southeasternmost tip of the island of Luzon, it is 377 kilometers southeast of Manila, the nation's capital, and about 380 kilometers northeast of Cebu City
It is the most densely-populated city in the region, and is locally known as the "Heart of Bicol". It is the commercial, financial, educational, religious and cultural center of the Bicol region. Residents of the City are called Nagueños.
Naga City is at the core of Metro Naga, an unofficial designation given the city and 14 municipalities in the area administered by the Metro Naga Development Council. MNDC covers the entire 2nd district of the province of Camarines Sur, and part of its 1st, 3rd and 4th districts.
Metropolitan Cathedral
One of the most impressive stone churches in Bicol, the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Caceres. Nueva Caceresis the old name of Naga City.The 400-year old cathedral has an impressive baroque architechure with its two large belfries attached to its sides.
Its interiors and noticed that its ceilings are not as old as its facade. The ceilings of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral was painted using the art technique known as Trompe L’oeil. This art technique makes the ceiling look like a 3 dimensional art peice.
During the feast day of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of the entire Bicol Reion, Her Lady’s image is brought from the Basilica Minore del Peñafrancia to the Naga City Metropolitan Cathedral.
Basilica Minore
Archbishop Pedro P. Santos noted that the devotees and pilgrims kept increasing through the years. In 1960 he dreamt building a basilica to give honor to Our Lady. Shortly after, through the meditation of the Archbishop Emeritus Teopisto V. Alberto, DD and the Association of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Mr and Mrs. Macario Mariano donated a three hectare lot at barrio Balatas. Bishop Concordio Sarte initiated the ground work of the construction. Blessing and laying of the cornerstone was held on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1976 having Church dignitaries led by Cardinal Jaime Sin and prominent Bicolano sponsors.
The Peñafrancia facade is distinctly neoclassical, decorated as it is with numerous Christian symbols. The Central doorway is crowned with a glass-enclosed niche in which stands the statue of the Blessed Virgin. Windows open to each side of the niche, both accessible from the choir loft. Plain and thick white pilasters rise to the pediment, dividing the church vertically. A decorative urn sit to the left of the triangular pediment, which is capped by a belfry.
III. Methodology
To start our project, we need to search for the information needed from several sources. We searched from books, from the web as well as from museums. After gathering the information, we classified them according to theme. Then our girls behind the words wrote the script from the gathered data. After the script was made, we videotaped the narration which will be a voice over, an introduction and will guide the viewer as to what is happening on the video.Then we will interview some adults and devotees regarding their view on the Tercentenary Celebration. Using YouTube Downloader, we will download 5 videos which will help us show the viewer what we wanted them to see. When all these are done, the wheels of motion will start running and edit the clips using Ulead Videostudio 11 and Windows Movie Maker to create a documentary video.Interview Questions:
a. ADULT
- Are you a devotee of Ina?
- Since when have you become a devotee and why?
b. DEVOTEES
- Are you a devotee of Ina?
- Since when and why?
- Have you experienced any miracles because of your belief?
IV. Conclusion
Based on our interviews, we can conclude that almost all Bicolanos are devotees of Ina. The Archdiocese of Caceres has put together an event that will be spectacular thus engaging millions of people to commemorate the celebration.
V. Recommendation
We recommend people to continue their faith and devotion to Ina and to witness the celebration because it is a once in a lifetime event.
VI. Reflection and Insights
Based on our experience, we felt proud to be Bicolanos. We were overwhelemed by the experience we gained by this topic. Our knowledge about this topic was expanded. We do not feel regret upon choosing this subject as our project because we learned more about Bicol’s pride as well as a bit about the culture of us Bicolanos which made our faith and devotion stronger.
VII. Bibliography/Credits:
- Basilica Webpage
- Our Lady of Peñafrancia Museum
- History
We wish to thank the following:
- History of Ina
- Additional Information
- Videos
- Ms. Jennylene Salinas (Curator of the Peñafrancia Museum)
- Mr. Nonito (Taho Vendor/Voyador)
- Peñafrancia Museum
