Feast of The Virgin of the Rule: Lapu-Lapu holds fluvial parade

CEBU, Philippines – While the weather cooperated, close to 50 sea craft of various sizes, as well as jetskis and rubber boats, joined yesterday's fluvial procession that kicked off a week of celebration leading to Lapu-Lapu City's fiesta on November 21 in honor of its patron saint, Our Lady of the Rule.

The sea procession left barangay Suba-Basbas at 7 a.m. and passed through the coastal barangays of Marigondon, Maribago, Mactan, Punta Engaño, Buaya, Ibo, Pusok, Pajo, and Poblacion.

After a 25-mile route around Mactan island, Ang Mandaragat, bearing the image the Virgin, docked at barangay Poblacion where the shrine is located.

At 9:30 a.m., close to 5,000 people waiting at the Muelle Osmeña wharf rose on their feet to wave as the "Ang Mandaragat" docked.

City councilors brought the image down from the vessel, bearing it on their shoulders. They then took it to the Our Lady of the Rule Shrine, where a Holy Mass was held.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong, and members of the city council met the image at the Muelle Osmeña wharf.

In his homily, Rev. Father Jaime Duero, urged the people to continue to believe in God and the city's patron saint.

Earlier, the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Commission reported that as of Thursday afternoon, 36 sea craft had registered to participate.

But Lapu-Lapu City officials said the number of sea craft may have reached 50.

Nothing marred the procession except that one of the participating boats allegedly hit a whale near the coast of Punta Engaño, city administrator Teodulo Ybañez said. (FREEMAN)