Naga, Penafrancia

OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA

It was a short travel from Legazpi City about 2 hours in a van, very much decided and excited to witness the celebration of Penafrancia, it was a long plan before that now happens. Prior to my trip the company sent me for ocular inspection in Legazpi. I really want to go Naga City where we were scheduled exactly same date of the celebration. My jump off is in Legazpi and should be back after the celebration for the next day flight. It was expected that all hotels and lodging houses were already fully booked so i need to go back to Legazpi City for my accommodation, it's totally exhausting but the bottom line is I am happy for this timely opportunity of another travel adventure crossing by land in unfamiliar place.

OUR OWN PEÑAFRANCIA

Way back in the 17th century, a Spanish family from San Martin de Castañar happened to come to, and stay in, Cavite. They had a son called Miguel de Cubarrubias. From the time he began to study grammar in Sto. Tomas, until he finished Theology, Miguel was a victim of frequent illness. Fortunately for him, he possessed a picture of the B. V. of Peñafrancia, as found by Simon in Peñafrancia of San Martin de Castañar. To this he had recourse in moments of great pain, anguish and adversity. He would even place the picture of the Virgin on the part of his body that ailed him most. Thanks to this, according to him, he recovered always from his illness. Here are his own words: "So many are the miracles wrought on me by the Virgin of Peñafrancia, that I have no tongue to relate them, paper where to write them nor numbers to count them. All I could say is that I am the miracle of her miracles." While studying in Sto.Tomas, the Bishop of Nueva Caceres, Msgr. Andres de Gonzales, of the illustrious Dominican order, called him to Nueva Caceres. Obedient to the voice of the authority, he came. During his trip, however, a storm developed, so strong and furious, that the ship found itself at the verge of sinking. Everybody thought the worse had come. Miguel then invoked the help of his Patroness, the Virgin of Peñafrancia, and thanks to his prayer and devotion, the storm subsided and everybody reached the place safe and sound. Some months after his stay in Nueva Caceres, Msgr. Gonzales, O.P. conferred upon him the sacrament of Priesthood, and persuaded to stay, he was subsequently named Parish Priest of Nueva Caceres (now Naga) and Vicar General of the whole Diocese. Sensing perhaps that with his stay here it would be hard to fulfill his promise to build a chapel for the V. of Peñafrancia near the banks of Pasig River, he had the place commuted and decided finally to build it in Nueva Caceres, thou he was still at a loss with regards to the exact place. By fluke of Divine Providence, the cimarrones came to see the Bishop one day and asked for a chapel for their spiritual needs and religious practices, in a place easily accessible to them. This solved the problem. Words by: Rev. Dr. FLORENCIO C. YLLANA

It's my first time here in Naga City, as well as to attend the festivity. Every Filipino is already familiar for this celebration of Penafrancia, I've heard this before during my school days, but never been thought that it came to a time that I truly witnessed it. 

Very near as I shot it, thanks to a new friends that I have opportunity to cover the duration of mass and the entire celebration. Other photographers do need ID Pass to enter the premises, Bicolano photographers are very friendly and accommodating that they grant me to pass without the said ID, of course I do behave and follow the order of the celebration. Thanks also to my newly met friend Andrej a fellow photographer who lives in Naga City, accompany me from different places of his beloved City.

The celebration ends with a  mass honoring the blessed virgin mother Mary and the sky lights up with pyrotechnics.

THINGS TO KNOW

First thing before we travel is to know the place first by searching its background and what we have to expect, for the budgetary, transportation and places to stay please follow Here