Filipinos celebrate Penafrancia in London

25Sep09

Filipinos from all over England gathered along the River Thames in London to celebrate the anniversary of Our Lady of Penafrancia. The religious festival is centered around the Penafrancia Fluvial Parade, which took place on the 13th of September from Westminster Pier.

The annual event, organized by the local Bicol Association, is held on a boat that parades statues of Penafrancia along different parts of the city. It is both a religious and social gathering, with hundreds of Filipinos offering their prayers and enjoying the occasion.

Attendees for this year boarded the Royal Princess and took part in reciting the rosary, followed by a mass led by Father Serge Magbanua of St. George’s Church in Walthamstow, Northeast London.

There was also a salu-salo afterwards, where everyone shared traditional Filipino dishes including rice, pancit, menudo and dinuguan.

The event culminated with a lively party which involved socializing and dancing for the rest of the cruise. Participants were also treated to spectacular views of London, including parts of the Southbank, Kew, Battersea Park, Thames Barrier, Tower Bridge, Greenwich and the O2.

The fluvial parade has become one of the biggest Marian celebrations in the UK according to its organizers. Launched in 1986, it has proved increasingly popular with Filipinos and continues to generate a growing ticket demand year after year.

Many of the participants return frequently, if not every year. It is seen as an opportunity for people to show their devotion, offer prayers, and meet fellow Filipinos for fun.

Bel Bajamundi Ford, President of Bicol Association, believes that people come to the event because of the positive experience it offers.

“Nagbibigay ang mahal na birhen ng pag-asa. At saka pag-katapos, happy ka – ang puso mo talagang maluwag. At saka milagrosa siya,” she explained.

The anniversary of Our Lady of Penafrancia is celebrated annually in the month of September. Traditionally centered around Naga City for nearly 300 years, the event is now observed by many Filipinos worldwide.

The London celebration itself has become one of the biggest in the UK, which includes the fluvial parade and a dedicated mass that spans for two weeks. This year’s festivity is part of a three-year build-up for the tricentennial anniversary of Penafrancia in Bicol.