The Blessed Mother, The Virgin of Penafrancia (Ina) is the patroness of Bicol, the region located in the south of Luzon in the Philippines that is inhabited by approximately five million Bicolanos. And the Peñafrancia festival happens in the very heart of Bicol, once called Nueva Caceres, now known as Naga City.
In September 2010, Bicol has celebrated its 300th year of devotion to Ina (mother): Pilgrims came from all over the world! More than ever, the streets were brimming with color and sizzling with activities. Historical churches; The Naga Cathedral, The Penafrancia Shrine, and The Basilica Minore were packed with devotees, young and old alike. Shouts of VIVA La VIRGEN during the traditional traslacion and the fluvial procession were overwhelming.
Antiquity, they say, means credibility. Thus, for the devotion to have lasted 300 years, this event is stark proof of Bicol’s living faith and hope to the Blessed Mother of Penafrancia; our INA.
A look into The Birth of the Bicol Devotion to Ina
Back in the 17th century, in Cavite, a Spanish family had a son named Miguel de Cubarrubias. Miguel was a victim of frequent illness. And in times of great pain and anguish, he would place the picture of the Virgin of Penafrancia on the part of his body that ailed him most. He claimed that always he recovered from his illness.
While Miguel was a seminarian in Sto.Tomas, Msgr. Andres de Gonzales of the illustrious Dominican order, called him to Nueva Caceres. During his trip, however, a storm developed, so strong and furious, that the ship was at the verge of sinking. Miguel then invoked the help of his Patroness, the Virgin of Peñafrancia. Just then the storm subsided and everybody reached the place safe and sound.
Some months after Miguel de Cubarrubias’ stay in Nueva Caceres, Msgr. Gonzales, O.P. conferred upon him the sacrament of Priesthood and persuaded him to stay. He became the Parish Priest of Nueva Caceres (now Naga) and Vicar General of the whole Diocese.
And thus in Nueva Caceres he built a chapel for the Virgin of Peñafrancia.
Months later, Dn. Miguel went to Manila. There he lost the sight of his left eye. He consulted the doctors but to no avail. He then promised to come back to Naga to construct a stone church and to make the devotion to the Virgin more widely known among the Bicolanos. In a sudden he recovered his lost sight.
Months later, Dn. Miguel went to Manila. There he lost the sight of his left eye. He consulted the doctors but to no avail. He then promised to come back to Naga to construct a stone church and to make the devotion to the Virgin more widely known among the Bicolanos. In a sudden he recovered his lost sight.
While in Nueva Caceres (Naga) Dn. Miguel fell seriously ill again and many thought it was his end. He then promised to live permanently in the place where he constructed a stone church and after five months of stay in Naga he recovered.
Dn. Miguel makes mention of these miracles in his letters addressed to the chaplain of Peñafrancia of San Martin de Castañar, Spain, written in the years 1710, 1711 and 1717.
In 1723, Miguel de Cubarrubias passed away leaving the devotion he sowed amongst the Bicolano people animate!
Moving Stories of Miracles
The Lady of Peñafrancia or Ina has drawn pilgrims from all over the world because of the word of her miracles. Among the many, here are a few poignant stories that the team documented.
His Excellency Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP, D.D. Archbishop of Caceres claimed that he has been healed of his tumors by the Lady of Peñafrancia. He said he had been suffering from the tumors in his lungs but his physician was astounded to find no more traces of the nodes or tumors.
His tumors were first spotted in January of 2009. He was advised to undergo surgery in Manila. However, the doctors found him unfit for the operation, putting him under chemotherapy instead.
But a month after starting with his chemotherapy, he found them harder to live with. And he gave them up. He also completely dropped taking his pills and literally left all chances of healing to faith. He instead prayed to live long enough to see the tercentenary celebrations. Now it appears that he is still going to witness more Penafrancia Festivals to come.
Dr. Lilia Fuentebella Realubit is a Bicolana writer, a professor emeritus of UP Diliman. Their family is a devotee of Ina. She said she had a brother who is epileptic and maintenance medicine is that expensive…financially draining. But somehow money would always come when they need it. She said they believe it was their family’s faith in Ina that keeps them afloat…
Jose Maria Carpio is the writer of the book "Ina and the Bikol People: a Journey of Faith." This is a coffee-table book project that the Archdiocese of Caceres published in 2002. He too attributes to Ina the healing of unexplainable knee pains that he had to endure as a child and well into his college days. But the one and only time he was able to join Ina's fluvial procession as one of her image bearers, he prayed to her in the pagoda to take away those knee pains. Days and months passed, and he realized his knees didn't hurt anymore. To this day, his knees have remained good.
Abdon Victor R. Alanis is the father of Athena, a grade 5 student of NCS 1. In 2002 he was diagnosed with some rare case of a heart condition. His heart was barely functioning; its ability to pump blood regressed down to only 29 percent. His mother, a devotee of the Lady of Penafrancia borrowed Ina’s “manto” from the parish. One holy night, as he was deeply asleep, his wife swore she saw some semblance of rays pouring down on him. It was like those rays which one sees from the hands of the image of Ina… To this day Don is well and happy with his family. A sworn loyal Ina devotee.
Mrs. Senena Perida is a teacher at NCS1. In 1990, her sixteen-year old son suffered from 5 major stab wounds while watching the band showdown at plaza Quezon. He was confined at the hospital for days. Mrs Perida claimed that it was the “manto” of Ina and the family’s deep prayer to the Virgen of Penafrancia that saved the life of her son. Now, he and his family venerate Ina and worships God for His wondrous deeds.
What could the common devotees be saying about Ina?
Devotees’ faith to “Ina” is strengthened further as they experience what they believe are miracles.
The countless miracles of Ina spread from people’s tongue and flew to different parts of the region and farther.
On October 6, the teachers guided the team to a tour in Basilica Minore, one of the historical churches in Naga. There the pupils were encouraged to talk to people… those who attended the mass, those selling candles and flowers, some passers-by, the those who attended the mass, those who did the novena. The team’s objective was to gather stories about the common peoples’ experiences of faith and the presence of Ina as they face their daily challenges in life.
Here are a few of what they have documented, what the common devotees say about Ina and their experiences of miracles.
Maria Dela Cruz, 27 “Ina is the mother of God, of Bikol Region, and all her devotees. She makes miracles and gives graces. When my child got sick I prayed for her to get well and she answered my prayers. Truly, she helps in times of need.”
Althea Sta. Rosa, 51 “Ina is our guide. My faith in her started when I was young and it is rich until now. She saved me when I got an accident few years ago. She is my inspiration as I sell candles in front of her church.”
Bernardo Castillo, 31 “Ina is our savior. I always pray to her to spare me from any danger. She saved me when I was about to die because of an illness. She gave me a new life.”
Teresita Putol, 49 “Ina is the mother of all. I always teach my children to be devoted to her. She is a powerful protector fighting away evil spirit.”
Mikaela San Jose, 28 “Miracle reminds me of the lyrics of a theme song in an animated movie. It goes like this….There can be miracle when you believe….Yes that’s really true. Miracles of “Ina” can happen anywhere, even at a most unexpected time. Miracles…good things happen when you believe.”
Maria Nerie Claire Conde 22 “Ina is my strength. I always attend the Sunday mass at the Basilica as my promise to her for all the good things that she has done for me. I passed all the trials in my studies and the board exam for engineering. I believe it’s all because of her help.”
Conclusion:
There are reasons for the ever-increasing number of INA’s devotees. These are the miracles and graces she showers upon her faithful children.
“Ina is always present in our lives, wherever we are.” His Excellency Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP, D.D. Archbishop of Caceres said in his sermon.
This research only confirms something that is already known to Bicolanos. It is that indeed…
Ina, The Virgin of Penafrancia, is the Bicolano source of hope. Amidst all the problems: relentless poverty, the moral difficulties of the times, catastrophes happening almost everywhere in the country and the world; despite all these, through the intercession of Ina, the Bicolano believes that all will be well and good.
The team prays that through these stories of miracles, the Bikolano may be further inspired to translate their faith and religiosity to concrete acts of responsibility and common good; that the Bikolano trust that they can counter not only the material but also the spiritual poverty they see around them.
The team prays that through the intercession of INA, HOPE for the best and FAITH in the good is strengthened specially in the hearts of people especially among the local community.
The team prays that this region may be kept safe from the threats of catastrophe, and that its people be blessed with plenty.
