Male devotees carry the image of Our Lady of Penafrancia during the Traslacion. Photo credits: Jorelle Tuvillo, Wikimedia Creative Commons
The Penafrancia festival held in Naga City, Camarines Sur is not just one of the largest religious events in the Philippines. It is also considered to be one of the biggest Marian celebrations held across Asia.
A Festival of Undying Devotion
This annual festival is held in honor of Our Lady of Penafrancia, fondly called by the locals simply as Ina (Tagalog word for “mother”). It is said that back during the time when the Philippines was still a colony of Spain, a young seminarian by the name of Miguel Robles de Covarrubias got very sick. He prayed to Our Lady of Penafrancia and vowed that if she spared his life, he would erect a chapel in her honor along the banks of the Pasig River in Manila.
The young seminarian did recover, and went on to become a priest. He was assigned in Naga City, Camarines Sur. When he arrived, the first thing that he did was to honor his vow to Our Lady of Penafrancia to whom he owed his recovery. He got the locals to construct a chapel made of humble materials in her name. Since he couldn’t erect the chapel along the Pasig River, he had the chapel built along the banks of the Naga River. He also had an image carved after the picture of Our Lady of Penafrancia he held close to his heart as he prayed for his recovery.
The image is currently housed in the Penafrancia Basilica Minore in the barrio of Balatas, located right in the outskirts of Naga City. Millions of devotees visit the basilica each year to offer their prayers to Our Lady of Penafrancia. Many of these devotees have reported that they have also experienced their own miracles as a result of their devotion.
Highlights of the Penafrancia Festival
Although the actual festival is held on the third Saturday of September, the celebration lasts for an entire week. Here are just some of the things to expect during this year’s Penafrancia festival:
The Traslacion
The Penafrancia festival celebration kicks off with the infamous Traslacion. Barefooted male devotees carry the image of Our Lady of Penafrancia and the Divino Rostro (Holy Face) from the Penafrancia Basilica Minore to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Naga City. This is where the images will stay throughout the entire festival.
Penafrancia Festival Wedding Photography Seminar and Workshop
The Wedding & Portrait Photographers of the Philippines will conduct a seminar and workshop during the festival. If you want to learn more on how to take pictures like a pro, this is something that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Fluvial Procession
A grand send-off is given to the image of Our Lady of Penafrancia and the Divino Rostro as they return to the Penafrancia Basilica Minore. Instead of bringing them home on foot, they are carried down the Naga River in grand and colorful barges while the crowds shout “Viva La Virgen” (Long Live the Virgin). Just like in the Traslacion, only male devotees are allowed to participate in the procession. Why you may ask? The locals believe that having a woman in the procession will bring bad luck. Whether it’s true or not, we will never know since the devotees would not want to risk it.
Click here for the complete schedule of events for this year’s Penafrancia festival.
Penafrancia Festival 2012: A Celebration of Undying Devotion,
About Adeline Yuboco
Twitter: citherrien
says:
You always find the most amazing places. You describe them well too.
Once day I will try to visit some of them. While I am waiting I will continue to read about far off places on your blog. 
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Hi Adeline,
in really you described a phillipines festival well.i don’t know about this festival because i am indian and glad to know about your festival detailed which you have defined well.
nice blog……………
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Twitter: gawaya
says:
There are lot of festivals, especially in Asia and this seems one of them. Thanks for a great read Adeline.
Be sure to check out Shamis’s most recent post…Finding Peace In Barcelona, Spain
Penafrancia is one of the more popular festivals and poor me haven’t seen the festival. I will do that one of this days.
It’s good that they have integrated several interactive workshop in the festival as this would liven up the festivities.
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I didn’t heard about the festive until the passing of sec Robredo. Your post have given me a glimpse of the festival.
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You’re welcome Bev!
Yes anshul same with me well i want to know about you festival thanks for sharing.
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my former house helper is a devotee of Our lady of Penafrancia, and we allow her to go home even before the festival. She bring us lots of native foods upon getting back
I received a postcard from a postcrosser depicting this scene. The photo shows a sea of devotees, one can see the dedication they have.
I agree, Marie. Their level of devotion is quite admirable.
I admire people who made devotions to Penafrancia and grace this event annually.
Twitter: GreenDei
says:
My granny hails from Bicol, although I haven’t yet to experience Penafrancia and the rest of Bicol region. Your post made me realized that I together with my family needs some future plans in visiting our roots.
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Twitter: RickyBernardin1
says:
Although my hometown is also celebrating Fiesta of Penafrancia we don’t have that kind of festivities. Hoping I will be able to visit Naga so I can also witness this =)
Twitter: blogandme
says:
The devotees just don’t stop praising thee Image of Our Lady of Penafrancia. That is their belief even if it is consider idolatry , pagsamba sa rebulto instead of the real God.
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One festival worth visiting, almost all places in the Philippines have a festival to offer…
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Twitter: tauyanm
says:
gosh! the photo looks amazing~ its nice and good to see those devotees! xx
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I respect the devotion and faith of Roman Catholic to their saints.
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True enough, Philippines is a very diverse country when it comes to culture! Napakadevoted talaga ng mga Pinoy! Amaaazing photos! Woot woot!
Thanks so much, Renz.
i hope I could attend one penafrancia festival.. truely every filipino must experience at least once in their lifetime
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With a lot of festivals here in the Philippines, one has to enjoy and bask in its experience. ^_^
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Twitter: iamwaterLiLy
says:
Filipinos really celebrate so many festivals… I think this is the first time I’ve learned about this one though…
I’ve heard of Penafrancia Festival before. This is the first time I’ve read an article about it though. Great job on the photo too! I enjoyed it a lot.
Thanks so much, Rizza.
Twitter: lovemindanao
says:
i have never witnessed a religious festival ever since .. and i think its time to make some changes on the track to include this on my travel plan … at least for next year … love the post … thanks for sharing
You’re welcome, Dennis. Glad you like it. Yes, it can be quite intriguing to take part in a festival like this.
Thanks for giving your description a historical context. I enjoy reading about history of places.
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You’re very welcome, AJ. Thanks for dropping by. Glad you liked it.
I know Penafrancia eversince I was a kid. My great grandma told me stories about it. The passing of Sec.Robredo will greatly affected the mood of the festival.
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That must be a very nice festival.
The place must be so crowded with people from different regions who wanted to witness the event.
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Twitter: islandgirltrave
says:
thanks for the details. i am hoping to attend this festival. But i have heard it is very crowded
Thank you for sharing this post. Some of the places you have described are great and I would love to visit them one day. I think it is excellent how people come from different places for the festival and I bet the atmosphere is amazing.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Cherryl. I agree. That’s what I love about festivals. It’s a great way to share your own culture to other people.
Hi Adeline,
What a GREAT blog you have ! I enjoy reading about places I have never benn because it’s amazing to read about places other people live in. I have not traveled much. Years ago I did have the experience of visiting Italy, and Austria which was incredible. Someday I hope to travel again. I am looking forward to getting to know you better through Network Superstars!
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Thanks so much, Lesly! Perhaps I can convince you to travel here to the Philippines when you start traveling again. See you at the next hangout!
Hi Adeline,
this is a very interesting ritual. I have only been to the Phillipines once, but I enjoyed the people and the culture very much. I would love to experience something like this, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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It sure is, Mariella! Thanks so much for dropping by. I really appreciate it.
Twitter: bihar
says:
The Penafrancia festival looks like a grand festival. Seems as if its somewhat similar to some of the Indian ones where people would gather in the street with great pomp and show. The Philippines has a great cultural heritage and this festival makes it a unique place to visit.
Be sure to check out Shalu Sharma’s most recent post…Corruption in India
Thanks, Shalu! I’m glad you like it. Yes, I’ve seen some of your festivals there in India, but only on TV. Would really love to try to visit soon and take part in the Holi festival, and anything else you may recommend.
I’ve heard of this feast many times since my aunt lives there and our househelp for a long time hailed from Bicol. Indeed everytime they tell the story of how they celebrate this feast always interest me.