NAGA City — Thousands of devotees accompanied the images of El Divino Rostro and Our Lady of Peñafrancia during the annual fluvial procession along the Naga River on Saturday, September 20, marking the highlight of this year’s Peñafrancia Festival.
The foot procession began at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral at 3 p.m. and made its way along the Naga River before the image was returned to the Basilica Minore around 6 p.m., led by church officials.
Among the participants was Josie Tolentino, 48, a longtime devotee who said she joins the procession every year as an act of gratitude.
“Since I was a child, we’ve been used to doing this to give thanks. It has become a vow of our family because it has been a big help to us,” she shared.
To ensure order and safety, city authorities deployed police officers and volunteers to manage the crowd, direct traffic, and monitor the riverbanks. Medical teams were also on standby for any untoward incidents.
The fluvial procession is the centerpiece of the Peñafrancia Festival, a centuries-old tradition that honors Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of Bicol.| Michael Josh Toledo
Photos by Allan Zulueta, Gianne Paula Cadag
