MCAS Miramar, CA. The Bicol Region is known for many things: Religious piety being one, having produced so many priests, monsignors, bishops and cardinals; The pili nut and siling labuyo are two other icons that distinctly distinguish Bicol from the other regions. Of course, many are familiar with world famous Bicol cuisines: Bicol Express and laing (or in the vernacular, gulay na natong).

        This past weekend, the whole Bicol culture was in display at the two-acre Mills Park at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar where over fifteen hundred pilgrims and guests from all over San Diego and Los Angeles Counties and from other states converged for the 31st annual Peñafrancia celebrations. The two-day event capped a two-month religious celebration honoring the miraculous Patroness of Bicolandia, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.

        The weekend began with a penitential procession on Friday, September 14 at 7 pm around the park where barefooted female devotees in penitence recited prayers and sang Marian songs and carried the andas (carriage) of the image of Virgin loft on their shoulders amidst chants of “Viva La Virgen!”

        On Saturday, a fluvial procession was held at Miramar Lake – a huge county recreational park 10 miles east of the Marine Corps Base. Despite the early morning fog that covers the lake even at mid-morning did not deter devotees from holding the event. Nearly a hundred devotees gathered, prayed the rosary and sang Resuene Vibrante while voyadores (male devotees) rode motorized boats along with the image of the Virgin. Reverend Monsignor Ching Encinares, a Bicolano and chaplain at Loma Linda Hospital joined the procession and the voyadores as they repeatedly chanted “Viva La Virgen!”; “Viva El Divino Rostro (Holy Face of Jesus)!”

        After a short caravan back to the base, a foot procession ensued at Mills Park were a full capacity crowd awaited the return of their beloved Ina (mother). Four priests concelebrated the Eucharist Celebration: Reverend Monsignor Encinares, Rev. Fathers Chito Valenciano and Pio Yllana, all Bicolanos; and Reverend Father Michael Diaz, Hispanic and Pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oceanside . Monsignor Encinares delivered a beautiful Homily with a message centering on loving one another and staying united as one people of God.

        The large crowd that joined in the festivities was treated to a free lunch provided by the participating organizations comprising Pagiribang Bikolnon (United Bicol) – a coalition of Bicol organizations - scattered throughout the Bicol Village with a dozen colorful cabanas. Ginataang langka (jackfruit), laing (taro), marigoso (bitter melon), and Bicol Express were just a few of the Bicolano cuisines offered in addition to the traditional lechon (roasted pig).

        The afternoon delight consisted of a civic parade featuring street dancing groups from participating organizations including a group from the Bicol Association from Las Vegas , Nevada . Boa-Boan, Gayon Bicol, Maskarra, and Voyadores Festivals were just a few of the festivals featured in the afternoon not to mention Wowowee’s “bon tarat-tarat.”

        Just like any other Marian devotion, the story behind Our Lady of Peñafrancia is anchored in folklore. Devotion to the Virgin of Peñafrancia originated in Salamanca , Spain , where a young and devout Frenchman named Simoun Vela, following what he claimed was a divine voice, found an old image of the Virgin in a small Spanish village.

        A picture of the Virgin of Peñafrancia was brought to the Philippines three hundred years ago, in 1710 by the Covarrubias family. When the son, Fr. Miguel Robles de Covarrubias then a seminarian at the University of Santo Tomas became very ill, he made a promise to the picture of the Virgin he was clutching on his chest that he will have an image carved, a chapel built and processions held in honor of the miraculous image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia. His promise led him to Naga City where the devotion has taken roots and eventually spread throughout the Bicol Region and around the world. Devotees’ accounts of healing and favors received through her intercession are part of the reasons for the spread of the devotion.

        From a small nipa hut along the Bicol River where the traditional annual fluvial procession is held, this small chapel grew through the centuries, enduring typhoons and two World Wars into what is now the famous Peñafrancia Shrine at the Basilica in Naga City – the center of pilgrimage for six million Bicolanos and a popular tourist destination every year with the Peñafrancia Festival being the Philippines’ biggest and most popular religious festival. In 2010, the devotion shall mark its 300th year.

        For the nearly five thousand Bicolanos here in the Southland, the two-day annual Fiesta celebration on the third weekend in September is a time to bring everybody together for religious ceremony, thanksgiving and good will, as well as cultural awareness, dance and just pure fun. “Viva La Virgen!”

        NO LONGER A MAN’S DOMAIN: In Naga, the annual processions are dominated by male devotees numbering in thousands that normally participate in the annual Traslacion (foot) and fluvial processions. In San Diego , female Voyadores (devotees) Dr. Nita Largoza, Siony Romano, Talet Nierva and Arleen Valenciano carried the andas of the Divino Rostro. In the back ground is the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.