Ina goes home through prayerful cheers and ceaseless adoration

Lilette P. Manauis

The Bicol River flows in a mixture of colors while thousands of voyadores aboard boats paddle in kindred constancy, pulling Our Lady’s pagoda as it cruises its way back to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Year after year, riverbanks along several barangays in Naga City get clambered by still several thousands of devotees, while rooftops and terraces are cramped by collectively thousands more faithfuls. All hopeful and ardent to have just a glimpse of Our Lady’s image as it sails its way back to Her home.

Hours before the fluvial procession, serene warbles echo through the surroundings of the river while devotees of different ages, walks of life, and proximity adorn both sides of the river. They stay and wait, not minding the heat nor the threats of rain. They cling to their patience, eager to see the image of Ina, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, their mother in its journey back to the Basilica.

This year, Ina’s image was joined in the Pagoda by the Bicol Bishops headed by Archbishop Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, priests, and youth representatives from different parishes and religious and youth organizations in Caceres. While 172 registered boats, 20 skippers (“paratukon” in Bikol),  and the Philippine Coast Guard all pooled together not just their devotions but their expertise in ensuring the safety and success of the Fluvial Procession.

Neither the darkness nor the windings of the river delayed the pagoda’s sails. Nothing waned the cheering and chanting of the thousands of devotees from the moment Ina’s image traversed the waters of Naga River to the point where it was carried to the grounds of the Basilica. There was a welcome of unfeigned chantings of “Viva La Virgen!”, a louder singing of Our Lady’s hymn, an ocean of waving handkerchiefs, and a display of lights from candles held with hands of piety and faith.

All festivities in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia culminated with a Mass presided by the Most Rev. Bartolome G. Santos Jr, D.D. Bishop of Iba, Zambales, together with the Bicol Bishops, Bicol Clergy, and other guest priests at the grounds of the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.