Dawn of reunion: Pagbalyo ni Ina and feast of Divino Rostro open Peñafrancia 2026
By Lilette P. Manauis
NAGA CITY, Philippines – The transfer of the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia from the Minor Basilica to the Old Shrine on the feast day of the Divino Rostro took place early this morning, September 11, 2026 through a solemn dawn procession known as Pagbalyo ki Ina.
At daybreak today, around 4:00 a.m., thousands of devotees walk through the streets of Naga City accompanying the sacred image of Ina, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, as she is transferred from her permanent home at the Basilica Minore to the historic Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish (the Old Shrine). There, the image of Ina is reunited with the image of El Divino Rostro (the Holy Face of Jesus), whose separate novena concluded yesterday.
Fr. Jene Lois Sarmiento, assistant rector of the Basilica Minore, celebrated the send-off Mass of the Pagbalyo ki Ina. He also led the devotees, religious, and voyadores in the solemn procession which proceeded through the stillness of the morning and its drizzles. Upon arrival at the Old Shrine at the Peñafrancia Parish where the image of Ina was officially received, a Mass was led by the Archbishop of Caceres, Most Rev. Rex Andrew Alarcon alongside the parish priest of Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish, Fr. Bernie Ramirez, and other concelebrating priests.
In his homily, Archbishop Alarcon emphasized today is particularly significant because it is the feast of El Divino Rostro. A feast that marks a high point of faith and devotion and traces back to an 1882 cholera epidemic in Naga.
“Ngonian na kafiestahan kan Divino Rostro, guiraray pinapangapodan kita na hilingon ta an mukha kan satuyang kapwa, kan satong mga tugang. An lalawgon, and pandok kan kapwa, nag aapod sato, nagpapaguiromdom sato, nag aagyat sato na tabangan ta sinda o igalang ta sinda; bakong gadanon, bakong lingawan,” (“Today on the feast of Divino Rostro, once again we are being called to look at the faces of our neighbors, our brothers. The face of our neighbor calling us, reminding us, asking for our help, even our respect; not for us to kill them, not for us to forget them.” Archbishop Alarcon encourages.
This meeting of the two images sets the stage for the traditional Traslacion Procession, where both sacred images are carried together later during the day to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. The Traslacion Procession is a highly anticipated event that is the foundation of the Peñafrancia Fiesta. It usually begins at noon at the same day of the Pagbalyo ki Ina. Both sacred images are carried from the Old Shrine through the streets of Naga City and ends at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. This celebrated transfer officially marks the start of the novena in honor of Ina.
Photos courtesy of CCCom Media
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