Winners of the 2nd Annual Peñafrancia Pilgrims’ On-the-Spot Essay Writing Contest

English Category Division 1 Winners

Mater Omnis

by Gerard Dean S. Villamil, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary

Our Lady of Peñafrancia reminds us not only of her title as the "Mother of All Bicolanos" but also of her deep identity as the "Mother to All". Her image by the river, carried and adored by thousands of faithful who cry, 'Viva la Virgen!', shows a mother's enduring love that never abandons her children. Ina embraces each one of us, no matter how broken or

how far we are. She gathers us and brings us closer to her Son."

Madre del Pueblo, Luz del Mundo (Mother of the People, Light of the World)

by Vallery B. Carique, La Consolacion College Baao, Inc.

When I call her “Ina”, something inside me softens. It is not just tradition, nor is it more than the echo of voices in a crowded procession. It is a cry of my heart, a longing for a love that does not fail. She is not just the Mother of Christ; she is the Mother of all. In her arms, every pilgrim, every person, every searching soul finds home. 

To call her Ina is to admit that I am a child—small, imperfect, and fragile. Yet, isn’t it the first thing she teaches us? That no matter how far we have strayed, how deep our wounds, there is a love that welcomes us without condition. Like a mother waiting by the door, she opens her arms wide. We run to her, broken and bruised, and still she whispers: “You are loved.”

• 

• 

English Category Division 2 Winner

Rivers and Roadmaps: How Ina inspires and mothers all in the 21st Century 

by Ralph Lawrence M. Pastor, Universidad de Sta. Isabel de Naga, Inc.

When I think of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, or “Ina,” I remember my childhood days standing in front of the Colgante Bridge, sitting on the shoulders of my father, amazed by how passionate and devoted Bicolanos are. Shouting, “Viva la Virgen!” waving their handkerchiefs, wearing shirts in different colors with their brightly hued bandanas. Despite the pouring rain or the scorching sun, they stay, relentlessly, just to show their faith. With this, as a young boy, I asked myself, “How does Ina inspire these people? Is there magic?” I did not get the answers that day, but as time passed by and as I grew old, the answers flashed in front of my eyes... Our faith and traditions are not just imprints of the past given to us by past generations. It is a memory in the river that will not pause, but flow with us.

• 

• 

Bikol Category Division 1 Winner

Pagpasa kan Pagkamoot

by Marieleth A. Bogho, St. Paul Academy of Goa, Inc

An pagcelebrar kan kafiestahan ni Ina kan Peñafrancia iyo sarong importanteng paglakaw paduman sa mga nakabukang kamot asin malumoy na paghiling kan satuyang Ina... Mainit man an agihan, taranglay man an satuyang mga bitis, saka nawawara man an mga boses kan kita pigkurahaw an saiyang ngaran, dae ta namati an saiyang pagkamoot na mauumayan. An satuyang Ina, sambiton man nyato an saiyang pangaran asin akoon an saiyang nakabukas na mga kamot. Huli ta siya an pirming yaon diyan, nagtatao kan saiyang pagkamoot. Miski kiisay, ngunyan asin sa masunod.

• 

• 

Bikol Category Division 2 Winners

An Mapinadangat na Ina Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia:

Ina Para sa Gabos

by Judilyn Aguila, Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, Casuray Magarao

Sa satuyang mga kaharungan, kun satuyang maiisihan, nagigin magian an satuyang pagmati kun yaon an satuyang ina. Dae kita naghahadit, dae natatakot o naghahandal... Arog man kaiyan an satuyang pagtubod. Si Ina, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, yaon pirmi para sato na nagpapagirumdom kun papano ta mahihimati o makukua an kaginhawahan sa satong buhay — asin ini sa paagi kan paggibo nin marhay. Magdulok kita sa satuyang Ina, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia — Ina para sa gabos.

• 

• 

Ina kan Gabos asin para sa Gabos

by Alberto O. Alarcon, Unibersidad de Sta. Isabel de Naga, Inc.

Si Ina, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, yaon pirmi para sato na nagpapagirumdom kun papano ta mahihimati o makukua an kaginhawahan sa satong buhay—asin ini sa paagi kan paggibo nin marhay. Magdulok kita sa satuyang Ina, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia—Ina para sa gabos."

• 

•