Ricoh GR3x Peñafrancia Traslacion Procession 2022

Wow what a fun day in Naga City, Philippines! The Largest Marian event in Asia that kicks off the Christmas Season (in September) in the Philippines is back this year for the first time since the pandemic cancelled this yearly event for the past 2 years. People from all over travel in groups to Naga City Basilica for the Penafrancia Traslacion Procession. Spent a few hours in the heat with the Ricoh GR3x working on my candid and not so candid subject based street photography. The event itself is pretty wild to witness, pilgrimage makers from all over attend with schools, churches, etc.. to perform, witness the event, or participate in the procession - maybe hoping for miracles to happen also. After an outdoor mass in a large square at the Basilica a sacred image and a statue of La Virgin is carried through the city parade route on large silver domes. People can be heard chanting throughout Viva La Virgin, and through the throngs of crowds, people try to climb the domes to wipe towels on them to gather blessing or healing powers, and are knocked off back into the surging crowds with blunt jabs from riders wielding sticks.