“Harubay: A Pilgrimage of Hope, Faith, and Love” ignites Peñafrancia 2026 celebration

By Lilette P. Manauis

NAGA CITY, Philippines — Members of religious organizations from parishes of the Archdiocese of Caceres gathered in the Pilgrim City on September 2, 2026, as Harubay 2026  signaled the start of the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia with a motorcade procession. 

Now on its 17^th year and bearing the theme "Harubay: A Pilgrimage of Hope, Faith, and Love," the event served as the spiritual drumbeat for the month-long celebration of devotion to El Divino Rostro and Our Lady of Peñafrancia. 

The event featured a motorcade carrying the sacred images of Ina and Divino Rostro from the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Minor Basilica through a designated city route. 

Narratives view the motorcade as a mobile blessing, directly reaching out to common people and their day-to-day lives in the streets of Naga and other districts of Caceres, signifying that Ina and the church go out to meet people. The religious caravan came from different districts of the archdiocese, such as Partido, Bay Area, Rinconada, and Central, and convened at the Minor Basilica grounds, where the highlight of Harubay 2026, the grand Eucharistic Celebration at 11:00 a.m., ensued. 

Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, DD, the Archbishop of Caceres, served as both the main celebrant and the homilist, accompanied by concelebrating priests from across the archdiocese. In alignment with the overarching pastoral focus, Archbishop Alarcon emphasized the community's responsibility to mentor new believers. During his homily, he thanked the members of the religious organizations for being present to announce the novenas and fiestas, most especially the presence of Christ in our midst. 

Then the Archbishop’s focus turned toward communal growth and spiritual hospitality, underscoring the liturgy's message. "May the celebration remind us of our call to live as one church—welcoming and nurturing the newly baptized and their families as they grow in Christ under the loving guidance of Ina,” he said.

Organized by the Apostleship of Prayer under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Wilmer Tria, Apostleship of Prayer Archdiocesan Director, and the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Association (OLPA), the event brought together various devotees from across the religious community of  Caceres, including parish-based organizations, altar servers, and a number of local voyadores. 

With the conclusion of Harubay 2026, the Archdiocese of Caceres sets the stage for the highly anticipated major events of the festivities, including the Traslacion Procession on September 11 and the grand Fluvial Procession along the Naga River on September 19.

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