Naga City’s Peñafrancia Festival 2016 features boat race

Thousands of tourists and residents gather at the banks of the Naga River to watch the fluvial procession pass by during the Peñafrancia Festival. Photo taken Sept. 17, 2016. Photo: Danny Pata

This year's colorful Peñafrancia Festival over the weekend for the feast day of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City featured a boat race, among other activities, a report on Unang Balita on Monday said.

Boatmen from different towns in Camarines Sur vied for the top prize in Peñafrancia Regatta 2016's three categories—the 10-man team, double team, and single race—on Saturday.

Hailed as Regatta King was boatman Bernardo San Andres, the race's top winner in the single race category. He was also last year's grand winner.

The boatmen from Camaligan, Camarines Sur won in the 10-man team category, while Bernabe San Andres won in the double team race.

Vice President Leni Robredo graced the start of the boat race.

Vice President Leni Robredo sees the boatmen off at the regatta boat race on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 in Naga City. Photo: Office of the Vice President

Meanwhile, during the Our Lady of Peñafrancia's fluvial procession at night on the Naga River, one boat bearing 23 passengers capsized after a speedboat of the Philippine Coast Guard passed by.

The passengers were immediately rescued by soldiers from the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy.

Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims, devotees and tourists flock to Naga for the fluvial festival to pay homage to the wooden image of the Patroness of Bicol.

Devotees crowd the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City on Sept. 17, 2016. Photo: Danny Pata

The nine-day festival is a collective ritual to express deep gratitude to Ina, the endearment devotees use for the Blessed Virgin Mary of Bicolanos.

Some people come to the feast to fulfill their panata while others come to experience Filipino religiosity and faith, while others just want to watch the fluvial parade.  Whatever the attendees' reasons for coming, they view the traditional practice of venerating Ina as a good opportunity to celebrate life and victory over life's struggles. — with Danny Pata/KG/BM, GMA News