FACT CHECK: Video of Peñafrancia procession misrepresented as rally in Metro Manila

Claim: The video shows a rally on EDSA and Quezon City. 

Rating: FALSE 

Why we fact-checked this: Several videos posted as early as November 18 bear the online claim. One video that was posted on that date now has 232,000 views, 1,600 shares, and 681 comments as of writing. It was posted coinciding with the massive “anti-corruption” rally organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

The text on the video says, “#PEOPLEPOWER Hindi lang INC Ang Nagrarally, Marami pang Grupo Ang Nagkakaisa Sa EDSA At Sa QC, Mga Curacot ikulong nayan lahat.” (#PEOPLEPOWER It’s not just INC that’s rallying. Many other groups are uniting on EDSA and QC. Lock up all the thieves.)

Another video, posted on November 19, has already received 244,000 views, 2,100 shares, and 508 comments. The text on the video says, “ANG DAMING TAO!ANO NA NGYYRI S MUNDO!ANG TNONG? BABABA BA ANG PNGULO?” (So many people! What is happening in the world? The question is will the president step down?) 

Some Facebook users believed that the video was indeed that of a rally. One wrote, “Grabi ang dami naman ng taong bayan ang kapal naman ng mukha ayaw pa bumaba ang bangag.” (There are so many people. The president has no shame. He still doesn’t want to step down.)

The facts:The video shows the annual Peñafrancia Festival in Naga City in September 2025 and not a recent rally in Quezon City and EDSA. 

The original video, posted on September 20, mentioned the “Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession” in its caption. It implies that the Peñafrancia devotees in the video were heading to the Reina del Bicol Landing, also known as Danlugan ni Ina, where the fluvial procession of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia usually starts.

The location of the event can also be verified as Naga City, with the use of known establishments that can be seen in the video, including the Fiesta Hotel and Naga City People’s Mall. The specific spot of the procession happened in Padian Street, 150 meters away from Reina del Bicol Landing. 

Peñafrancia Festival: The annual celebration in Naga City honors the patroness of Bicolandia, Señora de Peñafrancia, also referred to by Bicolanos as “Ina”. It is the largest Marian festival in Asia, drawing millions of devotees each year.

Rally: The video of the religious activity was linked to a protest amid the ongoing calls to end corruption in government, following the flood control mess and budget insertion scheme.

The Trillion Peso March was held on September 21 in different parts of the country. INC also organized a separate protest on November 16 and 17. Progressive groups also held another massive protest on November 30. 

Previous fact checks: Rappler had debunked similar claims linking rallies to the Peñafrancia Festival and other religious activities:

• FACT CHECK: Videos of La Naval procession, Nepal protests misrepresented as rallies in PH 
• FACT CHECK: Video of Peñafrancia traslacion brawl misrepresented as ‘yellows’ riot 
• FACT CHECK: Video of Peñafrancia Traslacion misrepresented as rally in Naga City

– Angelee Kaye Abelinde/Rappler.com 

Angelee Kaye Abelinde is a student journalist based in Naga City, and an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024. 

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