Naga City’s Peñafrancia: A Must-See Festival Honoring the Virgin Mary

As a predominantly Roman Catholic country, the Philippines is replete with religious festivities. One of these is the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia that is celebrated in the Bicol Region every September. During this time, Bicolanos and devotees from all over flock to Naga City in Camarines Sur to pay homage to the Virgin of Peñafrancia or “Ina”.

The feast day begins with a novena, or nine-day prayer, and bringing the image of the Virgin Mary to the Naga Shrine. Then on the last day, the Our Lady of Peñafrancia will be brought back to the Peñafrancia Basilica via a fluvial parade through the Naga River. Candles light the way and, as the image is carried in a procession, devotees exclaim “Viva La Virgen!”

While there are a number of feasts celebrating the Blessed Mother, the Peñafrancia is one of the biggest religious events. It is said that this image of the Madonna has miraculous powers, and that pilgrims who pay their respects on the feast day will have their wishes granted. It is for this reason why the celebration is among the most-attended occasions in reverence to the Blessed Virgin.

And because many people come over to Naga City at this time, a lot of hotels and accommodations open its doors to both devotees and curious tourists. One of these hotels in Naga is Villa Caceres Hotel in Magsaysay Avenue. The property is just about a 5-minute drive from the main pilgrim stops: the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine, Peñafrancia Basilica Minore, and Naga Cathedral. And it’s also a few minutes away from the Naga River where the fluvial parade happens. Staying at Villa Caceres indeed gives you easy access to the goings-on of the festival.

Other attractions that may enrich your trip during the Peñafrancia like Porta Mariae and Seminario del Santissimo Rosario are also nearby. Malls like SM City Naga and LCC Center Mall are only a few minutes from Villa Caceres Hotel as well.

Another advantage that the hotel provides with regards to its location is that it offers travelers a comfortable space for rest after a long day. Villa Caceres Hotel has 186 rooms and suites, all fitted with choice conveniences. These include air-conditioning, LCD cable TV, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Room types can cater to couples, families, and even groups of up to 8 persons, making the hotel an ideal choice to stay for those here for the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Villa Caceres Hotel is located at Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City, Philippines. For more information on the hotel and available rooms for the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, visit https://www.villacacereshotel-naga.com.