Section 3 Procedures
Rationalization for Qualitative Research
An issue regarding the role of the Local Government of
Naga City and the Catholic Church in the city during the
Peafrancia Festival, a celebration considered to be the
biggest and most popular religious event in the Philippines.
Based on history, the Bicolanos devotion to INA (a coined
word referring to Nuestra Seora de Peafrancia) started from a
very strong foundation of faith manifested in different forms of
devotion such as the devoted participation in the solemn
Traslacion and Fluvial processions , a nine-day novena after
the Traslacion, the mourning when INA was lost on August 15,
1981 and rejoicing when INA was returned and enshrined again on
September 8, 1982. These forms of devotion to INA and her
miracles have become widespread and festive.
While this situation is truly a source of joy and pride for
the Bicolanos there is something happening that is a source of
concern. For the past years, the continuously
unruly voyadores in carrying the andas of the images of our Ina
and the Divino Rostro during the Traslacion and
the Fluvial processions were witnessed. Many activities
sponsored by the city which accordingly do not promote the
devotion to INA were also observed. And not to mention that in
the current way of celebrating the Peafrancia Festivities, It
has been observed that there is less and less of the devotion
and more of commercialization. The team gives importance to
this study since the said festivity is the biggest religious
celebration of the Bicol Region and a controversy occurred
during the 2008 celebration. It has become controversial when
some local priests charged the city government of fomenting
creeping commercialism for allowing street parties and
military parades reasons why the festivity has been losing its
religiosity.
This community-based research seeks answers to questions,
suggests solutions and recommendations as well.
Methodology
A research on the history of Peafrancia Fiesta was
conducted, including its early beginnings and its known miracles
and tales. Information were taken from the internet, pamphlets
and other Bicol literary works. To be able to get more in depth
reaction on the issue, the group also conducted interviews with
key informants to know the sentiments of the people directly
concerned on the issue in the focus study. Interviews were
conducted on different areas of the City.
The group also decided on conducting a survey on different
sectors of the community to get the reaction of the
common "tao" regarding the issue on some activities during the
fiesta that does not promote devotion to the celebration.
Site and Participants
Fr. Luisito Occiano, spokesperson of the Diocese of Caceres
Hon. Bordado was the author of the Article entitled
Peafrancia Fiesta: The Festival of Festivals
Fr. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon - The Peafrancia Celebration: A
Collective Ritual of Faith
The Plan of the Study
The group prepared an action plan to continue the survey to
reach at least 10% of Nagas population to be able to get more
acceptable sentiments and feedbacks from the people and meet
with the church and the city government.
Data Analysis Procedures
To get a general sample assessment of the sentiments of
Nagueos, the group distributed survey questionnaires along the
main streets and downtown of Naga. Out of 500 survey
questionnaires distributed, the group was able to gather 295
feedbacks from different respondents whose ages range from 18
78 years old having different professions from government
employees, private employees, professionals, to vendors and
service crews and housewives. Some college students were also
surveyed.
Summary
Out of 500 survey questionnaires distributed, the group
was able to gather 295 feedbacks from different respondents
whose ages range from 18 78 years old having different
professions from government employees, private employees,
professionals, to vendors and service crews and housewives. Some
college students were also surveyed.
