With more than four hundred devotees at Kildonan Park, the annual “Pista ng Lady of Penafrancia” is considered as one of the biggest number in participation; and most food available during the lunch period.
“Wow, ang daming tao, baka ma-short sila sa pagkain,” one of the devotees said after joining a lone line leading to the two tables where volunteers handed food to everyone.
“We have lots of food, Mama Mary provided us all what we need, nobody would go home with an empty stomach,” Amado Mendoza, president of Bicol Association of Manitoba.
Added by the balmy late summer wind and cloudy sky, the procession honoring the Lady of Penafrancia took a longer route around the football ground in Kildonan Park. Started at an early morning procession along the Red River, Lady of Penafrancia took a boat ride heading to Kildonan Park. Upon arrival, a mass was held with Fr. Sarsi, the officiating priest. People started coming and joined the mass and received the communion.
After the procession, the line of devotees started forming and if one would have been present, one would be alarmed by the hundreds of friends and guests of the Bicol Association of Manitoba, that the food would be short in supply.
“Do not worry, maraming pagkain, our devotion to our Lady of Penafrancia helps us,” one of the volunteers said. More donors came with pancit, ulam and desserts, and more lechons were chopped. Bicol Express and Bicol laing are some of the favorites.
The Annual “Pista ng Lady of Penafrancia” has become one of the most popular events in the Filpino community. And every year, devotees attend the procession at the Red River, then to Kildonan Park and enjoy the Bicol’s hot Bicol Express and other ulams!
