‘ApuIro’ fest ushers rainy season

APALIT, Pampanga — Thousands of devotees joined a three-day festival here Friday to end today to support preservation of culture and religious traditions.

Called  ApuIro Fluvial Procession, the 172nd fluvial parade is in honor of the century-old image of their local patron, Saint Peter, who is called “ApungIru” in the Capampangan dialect.

The three-day religious annual fluvial parade of the holy image of ApungIru along Pampanga River was held to usher start of the rainy season.

This tradition began during the Spanish times and is believed to provide a bountiful harvest to farmers and fishermen.

“We held the religious tradition in honor of this town’s patron Saint Peter,”’ said Apalit Mayor-elect Peter Nucom.

From its home in Barangay Capalangan in Apalit, Pampanga, the image is brought out to the streets of Barangay Gatbuka, here, with thousands of devotees waving branches of plants to honor ApungIru all the way to the chapel in Sulipan then to the town church.

Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado with his family and grandchildren joined thousands of devotees in witnessing the annual event.

“The people of Apalit and parts of Calumpit (Bulacan) never fail to honor the feast day of Apung Iru,” Alvarado said. The actual feast day of Saints Peter  and Paul will be on Wednesday. -- Freddie C. Velez and Franco G. Regala