The story of Ina, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, has long been carried across generations—retold in homes, taught in churches, and lived out in the devotion of millions of Bicolanos. On September 10, 2026, that story found a new form as a bilingual children’s book, An Ginikanan kan Birhen nin Peñafrancia sa Naga (The Origin of the Virgin of Peñafrancia in Naga), was officially launched at the Archbishop Alberto Hall of the Peñafrancia Minor Basilica and National Shrine in Naga City.
The launch, first announced by Towfee Book Publishing House, invited the public to “celebrate, preserve, and deepen our faith and devotion to INA” through a child-friendly retelling of her origins. The book is written by Christopher Cintura Asa and Fr. Juan Pablo Z. Carpio, with Bikol text by Msgr. Rodel M. Cajot, PC, and published in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Caceres, Our Lady of Peñafrancia Minor Basilica and National Shrine, and the Caceres Catechetical Ministry.
A Collaborative Work Rooted in Devotion
As reported by the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore in its official Facebook post, the book is a bilingual retelling designed for young readers, enriched by illustrations created by 13 students from the Department of Digital Arts and Computer Animation of Ateneo de Naga University. Their work, guided by Towfee Book Publishing House, brings Ina’s story to life through vibrant imagery shaped by young Bicolano artists.
The book launch was attended by Archbishop Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, underscoring the cultural and spiritual significance of the project. Copies are available through the Towfee Book Publishing House Facebook page and at the Lay Formation Institute.
A Story First Imagined in 2011
In her BicoldotPH feature Passing the Story of Ina to a New Generation, Hannah Franchezka Boragay traces the book’s beginnings to an idea Christopher Cintura Asa conceived fifteen years ago. Inspired by the animated biblical series Superbook, Asa originally envisioned the Peñafrancia story as an animated film—a natural direction for an Ateneo de Naga animation graduate.
The concept evolved as Asa founded Towfee Book Publishing House and developed the An Ginikanan series, which highlights the origins, culture, and history of Bicolano communities. The Peñafrancia story became part of this mission, with children as its intended audience.
For Asa, teaching young Bicolanos the origins of the devotion is essential:
“We need to pass this tradition on to the generations that will come after us.”
He emphasizes that telling the story in Bikol is not merely a linguistic choice but an act of cultural preservation—one that carries memory, identity, and worldview.
A Journey Back to Spain
Boragay also recounts a poignant milestone: a copy of the book has reached Peña de Francia in Spain, where Simón Vela discovered the original image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia on May 19, 1434. Fr. Carpio personally brought the book there, symbolically returning Ina’s story to its earliest home.
For a book about origins, this journey is deeply meaningful—a story born in Spain, rooted in Bicol, and now retold for a new generation.
Retelling Ina’s Story for Children
In her September 10 Facebook post Ina’s Story, Retold for a New Generation, Kyna’s Whereabouts (Kyna De Castro) highlights how the book uses colorful illustrations and accessible storytelling to bring the devotion closer to young readers. She describes it as “more than a children’s book”—a tool for preserving history, deepening understanding, and ensuring that Ina’s story continues to be lovingly passed on.
The book is a time-travel story featuring the characters, Rey, Rita, and AI robot Jerson, exploring the origins of the Peñafrancia devotion. Through every page, children are invited to discover how the devotion began, appreciate the faith that has shaped generations of Bicolanos, and recognize Ina’s story as part of their shared identity.
Passing the Tradition Forward
Proceeds from the book support the Basilica Minore, the Lay Formation Institute, and Towfee Book Publishing House’s continuing work in preserving Bikolano culture through children’s literature. But beyond its pages, the book represents something familiar and enduring: one generation telling the next where they came from, and why it matters.
An Ginikanan kan Birhen nin Peñafrancia sa Naga offers young readers a gentle introduction to Ina’s story—told in Bikol and English, illustrated by Bicolano artists, and created by those who carry the devotion in their hearts.
Faith is not only celebrated. It is remembered, retold, and lovingly passed on.
Viva la Virgen! Viva el Divino Rostro!
The header image features the book cover art work by Christopher Cintura Asa. This article was written by Jojo De Jesus for Dateline Ibalon based on the following sources: Towfee Book Publishing House (Official Launch Announcement); Peñafrancia Basilica Minore (Facebook Post); Hannah Franchezka Boragay, BicoldotPH (September 12, 2026 Feature); and, Kyna’s Whereabouts (September 10, 2026, Facebook Post).
Click this link to learn more about book purchases from Towfee Book Publishing House.