R.

Mahinay

Section 1 Introduction
One of the many Catholic traditions is the Marian devotion.
We, the Filipinos, especially the Bicolanos, have that
extraordinary, exceptional, and devoted love for Mother Mary
the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, too. We believe that she
will intercede for us and will lift our prayers up to God. Thus,
there is strong belief and unshakable faith that our prayers are
answered through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.
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Considered to be one of the most popular religious events
in the Philippines, the Peafrancia Festival celebrates the
feast of the Our Lady of Peafrancia in Naga City, Bicol. The
climax of the nine-day feast is the procession of the Our Lady
on a pagoda or boat, escorted and protected by legions of male
devotees. The pagoda is flown on the Naga River in a delightful
display of flowers and candles. This procession is locally known
as Traslacion.
The Traslacion recreates a time in 1981 when the image of
the Our Lady disappeared and caused a major commotion in Naga.
After many false leads and futile searches, the image was found
in the Metropolitan Cathedral a year later. Traslacion then
celebrates the return of the Our Lady, together with the Divino
Rostro (Holy Face), from the Metropolitan Cathedral to its
original pedestal in the Peafrancia Basilica Minore. The
festival also includes civic and military parades, float and
R. Mahinay

street dancing competition, agro-industrial bazaars, cultural
shows and exhibits, and the annual search for Miss Bicolandia.
The Penafrancia Festival begins on the second Friday of
September, when the Our Lady is transferred to the Metropolitan
Cathedral. The nine-day novena follows, which then culminates on
the third Saturday of September, when the Traslacion takes place
and the image is brought back to the Basilica. The image of the
Our Lady of Peafrancia is a replica of the Madonna of Pea de
Francia, now known as Salamanca, Spain.

During the festivities, people attend church services,
followed by parades on the streets, fireworks, and feasting. The
ninth day, usually falling on the third Saturday of September,
is marked by a fluvial procession. The image of the Virgin Mary
is carried on a barge which is trailed by thousands of devotees
in boats gliding alongside. People who line the river banks
shout Viva la Virgen! as the Virgin passes by.

This research will help us understand the significance of
this festival to the people and their culture.

Purpose of the Study
To make people aware of the significance of the festival to
the life of Bicolanos.

R. Mahinay

Research Questions
1) Is Penafrancia Festival really important to the people?
2) What are the reasons why Bicolanos celebrate it?

Definition of Terms
1. Traslacion marks the first day of the Novena Mass in the
lead-up to the week-long festivities beginning Sept. 15.
2. Voyadores- chanting "Viva la Virgen! "(Long live the
Virgin!) formed an almost impenetrable sea of men that
guarded and pushed the platform carrying the images
of the Divino Rostro and the Our Lady of Peafrancia.
3. Fluvial Procession- procession which takes the image of
Inang Peafrancia back to Basilica Minore.
4. Devotee- a person who is very interested in and
enthusiastic about someone or something; a strong believer
in a particular religion or god.
5. Peafrancia- rocky (Pena) mountain along the Via Frances
(de Francia) in the village of San Martin de Castanar,
Salamanca, Spain
6. Divino Rostro- Holy face of Jesus.

Significance of the Study
The study has significance to the following:
R. Mahinay

Children- To be a way of introducing to them what Penafrancia
Festival is.
Parents- To be a guide in assisting their children in knowing
this festival.
Students- To be aware of the importance of the said festival
Future Researchers- To be use as reference for research study in
the future.