The feast day of St Peter is celebrated in a joyous fiesta at Apalit, Pampanga on June 28-30. Apung Iru, as the locals call St. Peter, is celebrated and venerated by devotees in a colorful procession that is the Apung Iru Fluvial Parade.
On the 28th, the blessed image of Apung Iru is brought to the Apalit Parish Church, carried and paraded in a decorated pagoda or float, from its sanctuary in Capalangan. During the procession, religious songs, hymns and prayers are chanted by devotees as the pagoda floats along the Pampanga River. On the last day of the feast (June 30), the image is brought back to its shrine in Capalangan in another beautiful fluvial parade.
Thousands of spectators line up along the riverbanks splashing water and waving flowers as the pagoda carrying the image of Apung Iru passes by, which is also accompanied by hundreds of boats behind it.
Dancing, called Kuraldal by the locals and singing is most welcomed in this celebration as devotees and the locals celebrate another fruitful year. Other must sees during the feast are the trade fair, pageants and cultural shows dedicated to the event.
How to get there:
From Manila: Victory Liner and other buses have hourly trips to Apalit and San Fernando, Pampanga. To check the schedules, click here: www.victoryliner.com
Photos from:
artpetronsite.multiply.com
