REGION 5- BICOL REGION

THE BICOL REGION. The

Bicolanos observe an annual festival
in honor of the Virgin of Penafrancia
every third Sunday of September.
The towns of Naga comes alive.
During the celebration, a jostling
crowd of all-male devotees carries
the image of the Virgin on their
shoulders to the cathedral, while
shouting Viva La Virgin! To the
Bicolanos, this affair is religious and
cultural, as well. Every night, shows
are held at the plaza the year's
biggest cockfights take place,
bicycle races are held and the river,
a lively boat race precedes the
fluvial procession.