# 2025 Camino de Peñafrancia (Day 0)

- Link: https://caminodepenafrancia.org/2025-camino-de-penafrancia-day-0/
- Published: 2025-09-02T08:55:43+08:00
- Author: Dennis Marpuri

![](https://caminodepenafrancia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/A9670CE2-3D0C-403B-
9943-7C27D5CD1059_1_105_c.jpeg)

Here’s a last-minute checklist: Inside my backpack, I’ve packed socks, hiking shirts,
underwear, hiking pants, my cellphone, a GoPro, a headlamp, bath soap, a laundry
bag, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a power bank.

Miscellaneous items include a water bottle, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent,
a sleeping bag, and sunscreen.

Even though I have completed many Caminos, I still feel unprepared. I often become
jittery, anxious, and uneasy. My knee sometimes hurts, and the discomfort shifts
between my left and right foot. My ankle tends to give out, and I experience a burning
sensation from plantar fasciitis when I stand still for too long.

“Ready or not, the Camino de Peñafrancia 2025 begins.”

This morning, I finished packing. Before we head to the Naga Bus Terminal at 11:
00 AM, I need to remind some pilgrims leaving from Ocampo to Daraga and offer them
encouragement, as this is when they often start to doubt themselves.

One by one, they arrived at our designated meeting point. Our Peñafrancia bus is
scheduled to depart at 12:00 noon. As Filipinos, we have a tendency to push the 
limits of our bus schedules. The bus always leaves on time, and if you miss it, 
you’ll be on your own for the rest of your journey.

The waiting is over. Who will arrive on time? I bought ten bus tickets: two for 
seniors (160.00 pesos each) and eight for adults (200 pesos).

---

At 10:30 AM, Shanhie Consulta and Noli Felezmino were already waiting at the bus
terminal. One by one, other passengers began to arrive. The bus departed promptly
at noon. Bon Abias almost missed it; as usual, he was late and had to wait for the
bus to arrive in Tri-City.

We arrived at Daraga Church at 2:30 PM. After a brief photo session with the picturesque
church, we finally met Father Tony Sial, the parish priest. We were welcomed with
open arms and shown to our quarters, where we would spend the night. He also instructed
the staff to prepare dinner for the 13 pilgrims.

Tonight we planned to attend the 5:30 mass.  Lights out will be at 10:00 pm, and
our wakeup call is at 4:00 am.  The departure time is scheduled for 5:00 a.m.

![](https://caminodepenafrancia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/AC15DC67-395A-476A-
B0EA-3FFE1CC0B64B_1_105_c.jpeg)

_Our first Camino passport credential stamp_

![](https://caminodepenafrancia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/0636EA5E-CDD3-4A4A-
AA2D-BBBBEFDB5692_1_105_c.jpeg)

_Daraga Church (Our Lady of La Porteria), Daraga, Albay_
_Built in 1772, this Catholic
church with a relief-filled facade sits in front of the Mayon Volcano_

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**About the Author**

![](https://caminodepenafrancia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/att.j-2hMrG5leNz-
lEdeGVeliDH_K04MJNmBugO_9XECvM-scaled.jpeg)

**DENNIS T. MARPURI** graduated from Ateneo de Naga High School. He was an independent
IT consultant in the US and worked in nine different states doing contracts primarily
with Federal government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. He also became a professional
photographer covering NCAA college sports. Now retired, he and his wife love to 
travel to Europe. They divide their time between Northern California with their 
immediate family and Ocampo, Camarines Sur, his hometown, where he promotes mountain
biking for the local youth. He is the founder and principal advocate of Camino de
Penafrancia.