13th Fiesta of GKK Our Lady of Peñafrancia Joyfully Celebrated

The GKK Our Lady of Peñafrancia of Deca Homes Esperanza Tigatto, Davao City, joyfully celebrated their 13th Patronal Fiesta in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia with this year’s theme: “Birhen sa Peñafrancia: Kauban sa Panaw nga Madasigon, Modelo sa Pag-alagad nga Matinud-anon ug Mapadayunon”. The Fiesta Mass was presided by San Alfonso Parish Parochial Vicar Reverend Fr. Oliver “Toto” Ganas, at 10:00am. The eucharistic celebration was joyfully attended by its GKK Servant Leaders, GKK members, devotoees, parishioners of San Alfonso Parish, friends, and by the neighboring members from different GKKs.

Our Lady of Peñafrancia, also known as Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, is a highly revered Marian image and the principal patroness of the Bicol Region in the Philippines. Devotion to her is especially strong in Naga City, Camarines Sur, where the Peñafrancia Festival, one of the largest Marian festivals in the country, is held every September.

Here in Davao City, the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is also revered in one of the GKKs under San Alfonso Parish Mandug. The image was valued in the community, where the chapel was built in 2012 by 8990 Housing Development Corporation, the developer of Deca Homes Esperanza, to serve as a spiritual sanctuary for its residents. Our Lady of Peñafrancia was chosen as the Patroness because of 8990’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role as the patroness of Deca communities. This dedication signifies divine guidance, protection and unity – values that align with the developer’s vision of fostering faith-centered communities.

Through this patronage, the chapel serves as a place of prayer, devotion and communal worship, firming the spiritual foundation of Deca Homes Esperanza and inspiring residents to live by the virtues of faith, compassion and service exemplified by the Blessed Mother.

The establishment and growth of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Chapel in Deca Homes Esperanza, Tigatto were made possible through the dedication and continued commitment and leadership of its pioneering GKK Servant Leaders. Over the years, the GSLs have maintained their role to carry out their mission, inspired by the love and guide of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to organize and facilitate, plan and implement the activities that will make the residents come closer to Our Lady.

Currently, the active members of GKK Our Lady of Peñafrancia is continuously growing in number, from the Knights of the Altar, GKK LCCP Members, Ministry members, Servant Leaders and devotees, GKK Our Lady of Peñafrancia is a vivid manifestation that the guidance and love of the Blessed Virgin is truly alive and present.

Moreover, the chapel is also the permanent home of the life-size image of the Poong Hesus Nazareno, an image originating from the Minor Basilica of the Poong Hesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila. Bishop George Rimando officiated the installation of the said image at the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Chapel, making it the permanent home of this revered image in Davao City. (Theresa A. Lelis – GKK OLP Social Communications)