Again this post is long overdue but I’d like to share this as well.

It’s Krrunch Time, Get Playful! @ Peñafrancia Festival 2009

I work as an internet researcher for almost 2 years now and recently I was lucky enough to meet Al, who gave me the opportunity to work as a Virtual assistant. With all the trainings that he provided me for the past 5 months, I became interested in making my own website and blog. I am having a krrunch time writing articles for my own site. And after just three months of writing blogs, my website is now ranking high on Alexa.

One of the best things about working online is that I can do my job anywhere I like as long as there is an internet connection. Last Saturday (Sept. 19, 2009), my girlfriend and I went to Naga City to witness the celebration of Penafrancia Festival which was highlighted with the fluvial procession done in the Bicol River. Although a resident of Albay, this is my first time to witness the said event.

It was hard to catch an air conditioned bus due to large numbers of commuters but fortunately, we were able to ride an ordinary bus bound to Manila. We had a krrunch ride. We joked and talked about crazy things and we laughed so hard that we did not notice that everybody was staring at us.

When we reached Naga city, we immediately looked for a hotel. It was hard looking for one because almost all of the hotels were already fully booked but we were fortunate to find Sampaguita Tourist Inn located in Panganiban Drive Naga City, just along the Bicol River, a perfect spot for the fluvial procession.

Sampaguita Tourist Inn, Naga City

While staying at the lobby, I started doing my work while my girlfriend watched the live telecast of the procession. It was already 3:00 PM when the procession  started. After a while, my girlfriend got bored and went up to our room to grab some snacks. She went back carrying two Pringles, one in original flavor and one sour cream and onion flavor (my favorite!).

An hour and a half passed, the procession was nowhere near our location. I  sensed my girlfriend’s increasing boredom and so I decided to do some krrunch moves to cheer her up.

Krrunch Talk Time

I went back to the hotel lobby and continued to finish my assignment. As soon as I’m about to finish my work, I saw my girlfriend calling my attention that the fluvial is coming our way so I went out the lobby. The atmosphere was hot because of the sea of people waiting for the Lady of Peñafrancia. It was hard to catch a glimpse of the fluvial procession because of the crowd but luckily, I brought along my Krrunch binoculars.

Krrunch Binoculars

Yes, a Pringles Binoculars! =)

Pringles Binoculars

I thought it was just another ordinary procession …

Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession 2009

Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession 2009 2

Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession 2009 3

Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession 2009 4

But when the Lady got closer to us, the unexpected happened. I am a catholic but really not a believer of miracles. However, I felt an unexplainable feeling. The weather became cold despite the large crowd. I had goose bumps so I looked at my girlfriend and the people next to us and they also felt the same. We all felt the presence of Virgin Mary.

Peñafrancia Festival 2009

Peñafrancia Festival 2009: Fluvial Procession

People really felt a different atmosphere after the Lady of Peñafrancia passed our place. I felt relieved of stress and felt a greater sense of tranquility within.

This simple yet moving experience brought by the Lady of Peñafrancia had given me a renewed faith in our Lord. I will never forget that day and never will I be ashamed to share that moving yet krrunch experience.

This might be the reason why the Bicol region was spared from the wraths of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. Let’s all pray for the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

Here are additional photos of our Peñafrancia Festival Experience:

Krrunch Time At SM Naga

Krrunch Time at SM Naga 2

Krrunch Time at GMA Kapuso Network's Show @ SM Naga

Penafrancia Festival 2009: Photo Credit - Kim Sy

Penafrancia Devotees 2009: Photo Credit - Kim Sy

Penafrancia Basilica 2009: Photo Credit - Kim Sy

“It’s Krrunch Time, Get Playful! @  the Peñafrancia Festival, Naga City!

Ronald Redito

PS:

My internet connection was cut yesterday due to the typhoon. I hope Nuffnang would reconsider my entry. Thank you and god bless.