Devotees flock to Naga River to welcome Our Lady of Peñafrancia in fluvial parade

NAGA CITY - A big crowd of Catholic devotees trooped to Naga River in Naga City, Camarines Sur on Saturday to watch the image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia being paraded in a fluvial procession.

The image arrived past 4 p.m. and was met by voyadores or boatmen who will help pull the pagoda along the river route.

Many devotees rode motor bancas to take part in the fluvial procession which was secured by troops from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police.

The pagoda bearing the image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia sails along the Naga River in Naga City, Camarines Sur on Saturday, September 21, 2019, as a big crowd of devotees watch from the riverbank. Troops from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine National Police provided security during the annual fluvial procession. PEEWEE C. BACUÑO

Both sides of the riverbank were full of devotees watching the parade.

Some of them even went up rooftops or treetops to get a better view.

As the image passed, they clapped, waved white handkerchiefs, and shouted "Viva La Virgen!"

Some of them held candles or showered flowers and balloons on the image.

Others waded in the river, believing that doing so while the image passes by will bring healing.

Among those aboard the pagoda were Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Italian Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia and some bishops and priests.

Each year, devotees joining the fluvial parade grow in number. According to a priest from the Archdiocese of Caceres, more than 3 million devotees participated this year.

The devotees came not just from Bicol but also from other parts of the country. —Peewee C. Bacuño/KG, GMA News