Pinoy Festivals: Peñafrancia Festival 2013 Schedule of Activities, How To Get There, Things To Do and Where To Stay

Marian pilgrims and Bicolanos from all over the world come home to Naga City every September to pay homage to "Ina". The celebration of Penafrancia Festival in Naga City is the unparalleled display of the Bicolanos' undying devotion to the beloved "Ina" and patroness of Bicol - the Our Lady of Peñafrancia. It starts with the traditional "Traslacion", where barefooted voyadores carry the images of Ina and the Divino Rostro from the Penafrancia Basilica Minore to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral.

After 9 days novena at the cathedral, a fluvial procession along the Naga River will be done with the Our Lady of Penafrancia and the Divino Rostro carried on a pagoda that will take them back to the Penafrancia Basilica.

Peñafrancia Festival 2013 Highlights

This year's highlights are:
September 13, 2013 (Friday) - Traslacion Procession
September 21, 2013 (Saturday) - Fluvial Procession

Peñafrancia Festival 2012 Coverage

You can read my coverage on Peñafrancia Festival 2012 here:

• Viva La Virgen de Peñafrancia! My Peñafrancia Festival 2012 Experience

Peñafrancia Festival 2013 Schedule of Activities

With the theme "Growing in Catholic Faith in Jesus Christ with Mary at the Service of Social Transformation", here is this year's Schedule of Activities:

September 3 / Tuesday
5:00 pm: Mass & Procession of the Divino Rostro from Basilica to Penafrancia Parish Church with Caceres Clergy

(All Divino Rostro Novena Masses will be held at the Former Shrine & Parish Church of Our Lady of Penafrancia)

September 4 / Wednesday - DAY FOR THE FAMILIES AND THE LAITY
Theme: The Divine Face of Jesus in the Filipino Catholic Families as Agents of Moral Renewal in Society (Mk. 3:35)
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Mater Salutis, Cararayan; Mt. Carmel, Carolina)
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol)
8:30 am: Harubay (c/o Apostleship of Prayer)
4:00 pm: Confessions
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (NPS; PCFC)
6:30 pm: Healing Mass

September 5 / Thursday – DAY FOR THE YOUTH
Theme: The Divine Face of Jesus in the Challenges of the Youth today to Live Up to their Faith (Mt. 19:16-30)
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Tabuco; Gainza: Fil-Chinese Community –Fatima)
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol)
4:00 pm: Confessions
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (NCF; Aeronautical Academy of the Philippines)
6:30 pm: Healing Mass
8:30 pm: Perdon Penitential Procession

September 6 / Friday – DAY FOR EDUCATORS, TEACHERS, AND MEDIA PRACTITIONERS
Theme: The Divine Face of Jesus Renewing from Within the Educational System and Media Culture (Mt. 25:14-30)
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: St. Jude Thaddeus; Immaculate Conception)
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol)
4:00 pm: Confessions
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (CSNHS; STI; AMACC)
6:30 pm: Healing Mass
8:00 pm: Alay ki Ina (Basilica c/o Oremos)

September 7 / Saturday - DAY FOR THE CHILDREN
Theme: The Divine Face of Jesus in the Future of Filipino Children (Mt.19:14)
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: St. Jude Thaddeus; Immaculate Conception)
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol)
7:00 am: Pontifical Mass & Installation of new OLPA members: Arcbishop Rolando Tria Tirona (Basilica)
4:00 pm: Confessions
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (Mariners Polytechnic Colleges; Worldtech Resources Institute)
6:30 pm: Healing Mass
7:00 pm: Vigil for Cofradia de San Jose (Basilica)
8:30 pm: Perdon Penitential Procession

September 8 / Sunday – DAY FOR THE RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN OF CACERES
Theme: The Divine Face of Jesus in the Witnessing of Evangelical Counsels in Philippine Society Today (Jn 13:35)
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Religious Men & Women of Caceres)
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol)
4:00 pm: Confessions
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (University of Northeastern Philippines, Iriga City)
6:30 pm: Healing Mass

September 9 / Monday – DAY FOR THE SICK AND ELDERLY
Theme: The Divine Face of Jesus in Sickness and Old Age Offered for the Good of Society (Lk. 17:11-19)
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Cathedral & Lorenzo Ruiz, Abella)
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol)
4:00 pm: Confessions
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (University of St. Anthony; Computer Communications Institute)
6:30 pm: Healing Mass
8:30 pm: Perdon Penitential Procession

September 10 / Tuesday – DAY FOR THE POOR AND PRISONERS
Theme: The Divine Face in the Plight of the Poor Filipinos’ Struggle for Social Justice (Lk. 16: 19-34)
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: San Francisco Parish, Naga City)
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol)
4:00 pm: Confessions
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (UNC; BISCAST)
6:30 pm: Healing Mass

September 11 / Wednesday – DAY FOR PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS
Theme: The Divine Face in the Life and Ministry of Priests Reaching out to the Margins of Society (Mt. 18:12-14)
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Haring, Canaman)
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol)
4:00 pm: Confessions
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (USI; Naga City Science High School)
6:30 pm: Healing Mass

September 12 / Thursday – DAY FOR THE GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND WORKERS
Theme: The Divine Face in the Challenges towards Good Governance and Christian Leadership (Mt. 23:11)
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: St. Anthony of Padua, Camaligan)
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol)
4:00pm: Opening of the Bishop Francisco Gainza Trade Fair (Elias Angeles St. Naga City)
4:00 pm: Confessions
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (AdeNU; Brentwood College of Asia International School)
6:30 pm: Healing Mass

September 13 / Friday – FEAST OF THE DIVINO ROSTRO
4:00 am: Penitential Procession of the Image of INA from Basilica to Penafrancia Parish Church
Penitential Procession (Pilgrims from Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Canaman)
5:30 am: Pontifical Mass & Installation of new DIVOSTRA members: Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona
6:30 am: Community Mass
8:00 am: Pontifical Mass: Bishop Jose R. Rojas

Novena Masses in Honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia
Theme: Mary’s lowliness draws to herself the power ofGod
12:00 nn: Start of Traslacion Procession of Delegates from schools, institutions, and organizations
1 – 5 pm: Masses (Cathedral) and Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches)
2:00 pm: Community Mass at Plaza de Covarrubias: Fr. Gerard Timoner, O.P.
3:30 pm: TRASLACION PROCESSION
5:30 pm: Pontifical Mass (Quadricentennial Arch) Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona
7:00 pm: Community Mass (Cathedral)

September 14 / Saturday – DAY FOR THE YOUTH
Theme: Mary is blessed by all generations as the humble servant of the Lord
3 – 7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches)
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English), Quadricentennial Arch, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona

September 15 / Sunday – DAY FOR THE RELIGIOUS & SEMINARIANS
Theme: Mary praises a God who is concerned with the poor and raises up the lowly
3 – 7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches)
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English)
9:00 pm: Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds)

September 16 / Monday – DAY FOR THE CHILDREN
Theme: Mary proclaims a God who does not have a preference for the proud or rich
3 – 7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches)
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English)
8:00 pm Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds)
10:00 pm: Perdon Procession along the major streets of Naga City

September 17 / Tuesday – DAY FOR EDUCATORS, TEACHERS AND MEDIA PRACTITIONERS
Theme: Mary rejoices in a God who does not focus on the power of the mighty
6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Virac, Bishop Manolo de los Santos
8:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Libmanan, Bishop Jose R. Rojas
9:00 am: Visit to Charitable Institutions (c/o I-Share)
3-7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches)
3:00 pm: Union of Bicol Clergy (Holy Rosary Minor Seminary)
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English)
8:00 pm Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds)
10:00 pm: Perdon Procession along the major streets of Naga City

September 18 / Wednesday – DAY FOR THE SICK, THE ELDERLY AND HEALTH WORKERS
Theme: Mary centers herself in a God who focuses on mercy and compassion
6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Cathedral, Diocese of Daet, Bishop Gilbert Garcera
9:00 am: Visit to Charitable Institutions (c/o I-Share)
3-7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches)
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English)
8:00 pm Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds)
10:00 pm: Perdon Procession along the major streets of Naga City

September 19 / Thursday – DAY FOR THE POOR & PRISONERS
Theme: Mary looks forward to God’s poor and lowly who hope for liberation and salvation
3:00 am: Penitential Procession of INA & Divino Rostro
6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Sorsogon, Bishop Arturo Bastes
9:00 am: Visit to Charitable Institutions (c/o I-Share)
3-6 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches)
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English)
6:00 pm: Union of Bikol Clergy Mass (Cathedral) Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona
7:30 pm: Confessions (Cathedral)
8:00 pm: Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds)

September 20 / Friday – DAY FOR PRIESTS
Theme: Mary is a Model of Unconditional Discipleship and Faithful Service
3:00 am: Penitential Procession of INA & Divino Rostro
6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Masbate, Bishop Jose Bantolo,
10:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Military Ordinariate
3-7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches)
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English)
8:00 pm: Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds)
9:00 pm: Vigilia de Espigas, Adoracion Nocturna Filipina

September 21 / Saturday – DAY FOR GOVERNMENT LEADERS & WORKERS
Theme: Mary looks forward to God’s justice and righteousness
3:00 am: Penitential Procession of INA & Divino Rostro
6:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Cathedral), Archdiocese of Caceres, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona
10:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Cathedral), Diocese of Legazpi, Bishop Joel Baylon
12:000 nn: Ringing of Bells
4:00 pm: FLUVIAL PROCESSION
4-6 pm: Confessions (Basilica Grounds)
6:30 pm: Pontifical Mass (Basilica Grounds), Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona

September 22 / Sunday – SOLEMNITY OF OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA
Theme: Growing in Catholic Faith in Jesus Christ with Mary at the Service of Social Transformation
6:30 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Bishop Lucilo Quiambao
8:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Archdiocese of Caceres, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona
9:30 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Bishop Jose Sorra
11:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi
6:00 pm: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Bishop Manolo de los Santos

Complete Schedule of Activities taken from: Penafrancia Basilica Minore Facebook Page

How to get to Naga City, Camarines Sur

By Land: From Manila, take a bus (Isarog Lines, RSL, Raymond, Peñafrancia Tours, Amihan Bus and Philtranco) bound for Naga City. Terminals can be found at Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City and EDSA in Pasay City. Travel time is about 8-9 hours and fare is around 800 pesos.

By Air: From Manila, take and 40-minute plane ride to Naga. The airport is located in Pili, you have to take a bus or jeepney that will take you to Naga City.


Things to do in (and near) Naga City

• Visit the Churches (Naga Cathedral, Peñafrancia Basilica, San Francisco, Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia)
• Check out Plaza Quince Martires, Oragon Monument, Plaza Rizal , Porta Mariae, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary and Peñafrancia Diamond Jubilee Pavilion
• Wakeboarding at Cam Sur Watersports Complex
• Trek to Nabontolan Falls, Malabsay Falls and Hotsprings
• Dine at Bigg's Diner, Bicol region's biggest food chain
• Experience nightlife at Magsaysay Avenue
• Visit Museo del Seminario Concilliar de Nueva Caceres inside Holy Rosary Minor Seminary
• Indulge on Pili Nuts, Kinalas, Toasted Siopao, Pan de Naga and other delicacies
• Souvenir shopping at Naga City Market

Where to Stay in Naga City

Naga City has a wide array of affordable and high quality hotels, guest/pension houses and inns for you to stay in! To check on available places to stay in Naga City, click HERE.


Visit Naga City and experience the unwavering and profound devotion of Bicolanos to the Our Lady of Peñafrancia! Viva La Virgen de Peñafrancia!