A little bit of history..
During the early 15th century, a young lad from Paris named Simon Vela was told in a dream to look for the shrine of Our Lady in a place in Spain called Peña de Francia.
His search took him to villages, mountains, hills, caves, asking where he could find the place.
After 5 years–tired and desperate –he wanted to give-up on his mission but he was told by a voice to continue and to persevere.
Finally, on a rocky hill, he saw a brilliant light and as he approached it – he saw Our Lady sitting on a golden throne, resplendent in gold holding Baby Jesus close to her heart. And on her head was a crown of twelve stars and she was smiling at him.
In his utter amazement, Our Lady spoke to him, “Dig on this spot and whatever you find, have a beautiful church built here.”
And what did he find? Our Lady’s image as it appeared to him.
And the image? It is what we have enthroned in our churches now.
What a beautiful image it is!
The Fiesta then.
Growing-up…I didn’t have to go very far from my street (Elias Angeles St.) to witness these memorable events. It happened right here!
There were the Pastora (yeah, they came- not just on Christmas time but Fiesta as well).
The little girls who danced, twirled, and curtsied to a paying audience wearing their pink frilly dresses with the oh so cute bonnets. The fathers played the guitar and the mothers prompted the girls what to do at the start of a beat.
The Ferris Wheel. As kids, we really loved this. The best part was when you are up there, you can see the people below. It was a happy feeling being on top of my own small world!
The Feria. Coin tossing on the glass and when it stays inside, the glass is yours. My short arms was no match for those with long arms but I played it hoping to win a glass. If I didn’t win, never mind, I thought – we have lots of glasses at home!
The Feria made so much noise with loud loudspeakers and the Alatco Bus Terminal beside us did the same thing calling out buses rolling in and out of the terminal. Think insomnia!
There were other games – like shooting at swimming ducks, playing hoops with balls, etc.
The Sideshows. My mother warned us never to go inside the covered tents. And so it was off-limits for us kids. And when they were gone - they left a lot of trash and debris. It was home for them for a week, you know.
The vendors - multi-colored balloons, Origami made of coconut palm fronds – birdies perched on a twig, airplanes, windmills – the rosaries, medals, etc. were sold on the Cathedral grounds.
The kalamay and ibos and other native delicacies being sold on the way to the Cathedral (some covered with banana leaves, some were not). People didn’t mind, they bought it anyway.
The Exhibits at the Colegio. At school – we made pillowcases, table runners, and doilies.
We were taught how to use a thimble while sewing and with my small hands, the thimble fell off my little finger. When I got home, I sewed without it. I laugh when I think about it now!
The Civic Parade was held on Friday and the Military Parade on Saturday. Both originated from my street.
Our Sala is situated in such a way that you are looking directly down to these events – ringside style! Lucky for us and our guests!
And when my mother puts out the best tablecloth, the best china, the best linen, and hires a cook – I knew our guest was someone important.
Since my father, Dr. Floro V. Dabu was a member of Pres. Diosdado Macapagal’s cabinet, we had guests from the political arena.
Pres. Diosdado Macapagal joined the Traslacion Procession or the Fluvial Procession.
He was a devotee of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and he came with an entourage of cabinet members and security staff.
At the Ateneo Gym, he talked to people who needed assistance (with jobs, hospitalization, whatever). He was a humble down-to-earth president.
It must really be a long long day for him listening to all their problems, I thought.
The Fiesta Now…. I was here for the Tercentenary Celebration and…
The Pilgrims are still here. I can’t recall having witnessed this many people – to the Processions, watching the Parades, walking, etc. It seems like a sea of people!
The Voyadores more than ever shouting “Viva La Virgen” and “Viva El Divino Rostro” feverishly at the top of their voices. I’m always in awe whenever they do this!
Just to get close to Our Lady, they shove and push in a reverential sort of way, showing some deference to our Lady, some do not.
Does Our Lady mind? I wonder…
Gone from my street (Elias Angeles St.) the Pastora, the Ferris Wheel, the Feria, Sideshows, Alatco Bus Terminal.
The vendors are back – more this time around - pitching their wares.
The Civic and Military Parades have changed venues. Panganiban and it’s environs are now the heavily congested areas during the festivities. Think traffic jam!
I attended the Traslacion Holy Mass and it was raining– pouring in torrents–but nobody left the Cathedral grounds.
I stayed during the entire Holy Mass and soaking wet as I was, I didn’t get sick and so with the others. What a huge blessing for us!
My mother, Josefa (who has a great love for Our Lady) was given – a miracle!
She was very very sick at that time, so much so that my siblings from US and Canada came home. She recovered completely and up to now, she is still with us at 102!
During the Military Parade - it rained continuously but the participants went on marching. Nobody got sick either–another huge blessing!
Inside the Cathedral - pilgrims were praying or waiting in line to kiss, to touch her image.
This was their humble way of showing their undying love and devotion to Our Lady. Just watching them makes me cry for joy!
And if you envision–God The Father–immensely pleased looking down at us, then all that we do today and all that we did in fiestas past were not for naught!
We are on our way -slowly but surely – on a journey to our real home - which is heaven!
And the shouts of “VIva La Virgen” and “Viva El Divino Rostro” will resound forever in our hearts and minds wherever we go!