AdNU Hosts Dolot Ki Ina 2010

Naga City (9 September) - Just a day before the Traslacion, the Ateneo de Naga University was once again packed with students and faculty members from various Catholic schools all over the Bikol Region to celebrate Dolot Ki Ina 2010.

The annual event is a collaborative project from the Bicol Association of Catholic Schools (BACS). Participants coming from the Catholic Educational Association of Caceres and Libmanan (CEACAL), Catholic Educational Association of Daet (CEAD), Catholic Educational Association of Legazpi (CEAL), Catholic Educational Association of Sorsogon (CEAS), Catholic Educational Association of Virac (CEAV), and the Masbate Catholic Educational Association (MACEA) all gathered in the university from the afternoon of 9 September to the early morning of 10 September.

Over 2,500 representatives coming from 23 schools participated in the special event.

This year's theme is Balaog Inaako, Balaog Itatao (Gift to receive, Gift to Share), a variation of the theme for the celebration of the Tercentenary of our Devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia which is Balaog Inako, Balaog Itao.

The theme is BACS' collective answer, especially the youth who are the present and future caretakers of this great devotion and tradition.

Balaog Inaako pertains to the positive response to the gift that is the devotion and also an affirmation that Ina is God's gift to Bikolanos. The nature and devotion is initiated by God. We have received Ina from God. Balaog Itatao means that the gift received initiates a corresponding responsibility. It is not just for the Bikolanos but also for others. It must be nourished, protected, and shared.

Dolot Ki Ina 2010 officially started at 4:30 PM with an opening program in front of the Ateneo de Naga's Four Pillars.

From 7:30 - 10:00 PM, the students participated in various parallel activities on different locations within the campus. At 10:30 PM

Afterwards, the students proceeded to the front of the Christ the King Church for the Living Rosary; a Midnight Mass was then held at the University Gym with Fr. Wilmer Tria serving as the main celebrant.

After two hours of rest, the participants went to the Basilica Minore at 3:00AM and joined the Dawn Procession.