APU IRU FLUVIAL PARADE

Apung Iru Fluvial Parade Date June 28 - 30 Venue Apalit,

Pampanga Description. The Apung Iru Fluvial Parade in Apalit,

Pampanga begins on June 28 when the ivory image of St. Peter,

 sitting on a papal throne, is transferred by boat from its permanent

shrine in Brgy. Capalangan to Brgy. Sulipan, and culminates

on June 30 when the image is returned. Thousands of devotees

 line both sides of the river shouting, waving leaves and flowers,

and splashing in frenzy as the layered pagoda bearing the

 statue passes by accompanied by hundreds of boats. The floating

 pagoda, which bears the brass band and about 70 people dancing

 the traditional Kuraldal, is pulled along the river by swimmers who

 call themselves the Knights of St. Peter. During the fluvial

procession, thousands of revelers on the riverbanks perform the annual

shower of packed food containing boiled eggs, rice, and canned

sardines meant for the swimmers.

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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 28^th, 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.