NAGA CITY – During the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, a physically challenged pedicab driver found more courage to serve as marshal for his fellow pilgrims rather than just walk with them.

Pedicab driver Hilario Hava, 48, was waving his only one hand while patrolling the highways and maintaining the order of the pilgrims in their 39-kilometer social justice-oriented peace walk from Iriga City to Naga City.

“I was electrocuted in 2002 and my hand was amputated,” Hava said. “I was looking for steel and then I pulled it. Then the steel touched a live wire.”

Hava said he used to marshal protest actions during the Duterte administration. “ I’m already participating in the Lakbay Dalangin,” he added.

Hava was among the 500 pilgrims aged five to 80 years old who participated in the “Lakbay Dalangin 2025” of the Bicol Pilgrims for Peace from Sept. 17 to 19 across Camarines Sur. They are from the marginalized communities in provinces of Sorsogon, Albay, and Camarines Sur.

On Sept. 17, Rev. Fr. Wilmer Joseph Tria, parish priest of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, welcomed delegates and provided facilities and space for the pilgrims.  Tria is also a convenor of the Trillion Peso March Against Corruption.

The march began in the morning of Sept. 18 at the Archdiocesan of St. Anthony de Padua in Iriga City and passed through churches in Camarines Sur. It ended on Sept. 19 in the afternoon at the Basilica Minor of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City.

Caritas President-elect Bishop Gerardo “Gerry” Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos, also a convenor of Pilgrims for Peace, and the missionaries of the Redemptorist Church, Legazpi City joined the group’s pilgrimage.

“It’s inspiring to me that we are all united even though we come from different backgrounds and different sectors. This is the beautiful symbol of the synodal church that we hope to see to happen in our church,” Alminaza said.

“I hope that our prayer and our purpose for making this journey will be heard. I hope it will reach them. And I hope it will bring true peace,” Alminaza added.

“I’m glad that a bishop came to support us on the journey. I was impressed by the priests who joined us and made sacrifices even under the heat of the sun,” Hava said.

“The church is together with the sectors. We need to unite so that we have a strong voice to shout for justice and peace, especially here in the Bicol region,” Jen Nagrampa of BAYAN Bicol.

“We are here to unite. This walk is a small sacrifice for what is happening to our farmers, especially now that the corruption in the government is rampant,” Nagrampa added.

Bicol Pilgrims for Peace brought the images of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia and Inay Maria ng Magnificat that guided the pilgrims through the streets along the way. Both were mounted on a blue truck while playing prayers and songs that were religious and progressive.

As they passed, locals paused and made the sign of the cross while some were joining the pilgrimage and extending their pockets to donate some money to the group.

Our Lady of Peñafrancia is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated in the Catholic Church, in which a miraculous copy is enshrined in the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City. Through the image of Inay Maria ng Magnificat, the Bicol pilgrims of Peace aimed to spread the spirit of Magnificat and to symbolize the support for the farmers.

The Magnificat is a Marian prayer that Mary recited when she visited her cousin Elizabeth. It is the Song of Mary found in the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55) that highlights humility, mercy, and justice.

“Following our Lord, be an inspiration in our struggle, in our striving to have peace. It gives us hope not to lose hope and hopefully Mama Mary who unites all Bicolanos can bring it to us to collectively elect people in various positions in society who will truly pursue integral peace and justice,” said Alminaza.

Lakbay Dalangin 2025

The Bicol Pilgrims for Peace is a unity of the poor sectors from the Bicol region along with the Church People, lay people, religious, and advocates for justice and peace.

“Together we journey, not only on a physical path, but along a journey of faith and social struggle—to push for a peace rooted in justice, equality, and the resolution of long-standing injustices,” the group emphasized.

“We believe that we demand peace through a procession or prayer walk with Mother Peñafrancia and Mother Magnificat with us to invoke the demands and grievances of the people,” Nagrampa said.

“Amidst the severe challenges of life—widespread corruption, exploitation of public funds, hunger, and recurring disasters—the poor sectors of Bicol, including workers, farmers, youth, women, and the urban poor, are coming together for a pilgrimage,” said Rev. Fr. Oliver Estor, SOLT, a convenor of Bicol Pilgrims for Peace.

“This is not just a physical journey, but a spiritual path to God through Mother Mary of the Magnificat—our Mother of Hope, Justice, and Liberation,” he added.

“This is more about raising awareness and inviting more people to become aware and participate with us,” Alminaza said. “We really need to be vigilant and demand accountability.”

“Our biggest problem is the political dynasties. Turning faith into action means we plan how to stop these political dynasties from continuing because they don’t really help us,” Alminaza added. (AMU,RVO)