Lady of Rule fluvial procession back after 2 years

CEBU, Philippines —  The fluvial procession for Lapu-Lapu City’s patroness, Our Lady of Rule, yesterday morning was a historic one as it was the first time the parade passed by the neighboring town of Cordova.

The image stayed for the last Mass at the Marigondon Parish before it was brought to the RoRo port in Cordova amid the backdrop of intermittent rains and moderate waves on its way back to the National Shrine of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Regla in Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City.

Along the roads traversed by the image, Catholics offered flowers and prayers to the image while some released balloons into the sky.

Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan, who waited for the image at the RoRo port in Poblacion, Cordova, said he was hoping this will not be the last time that the image visits their town.

Suan said many of the residents in his town are devotees of the Our Lady of Rule, adding that despite being a separate town, Cordova remains a part of the island of Mactan.

Suan also shared that one of his prayers is the total eradication of the pandemic and the prevalence of peace and order in his town and the entire world.

As soon as the image left the Cordova port, rain threatened the proceedings. Nevertheless, those who joined the fluvial parade did not waver in their faith as they continued to cross the seas back to Lapu-Lapu.

At least 30 registered sea vessels and boats joined the parade.

But as soon as the fluvial procession reached the Muelle Osmeña wharf in Lapu-Lapu City, the fair weather returned. At the wharf, city officials led by Mayor Junard Chan and his wife, Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Cindy Chan, were waiting to welcome the image.

Success

Mayor Chan said he was thankful for the fact that the fluvial procession was finally back after two years of being cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic.

He also thanked those responsible for the success of the parade, especially knowing that no untoward incidents happened.

Chan said all activities were in accordance to the plan set out by the Church officials and local government units concerned, as well as the various agencies of the government.

He also welcomed the request of Suan to include Cordova as a regular part of the fluvial parade route.

Chan invited the faithful to visit Lapu-Lapu City to offer and light candles and celebrate the fiesta.

Rep. Chan, who was among those who carried the andas of the image from the wharf back to the church, also heaped praises on the success of the event.

Rev. Fr. Reynante Joseph Ga, Msc, the parish priest, expressed his gratitude to all those involved in the success of the procession.

The first day of the Novena Masses started yesterday.

According to Ga, it was his first time witnessing the fluvial procession because he is new to the parish, but he saw the strong love and devotion of the people to the Birhen sa Regla.

Ga was likewise amenable to the idea of making Cordova as the base of the fluvial procession since he did not see anything wrong with it.

Police Col. Elmer Lim, director of Lapu-lapu City Police Office, said that the procession was generally peaceful.

Lim credited the success to the coordination of all concerned stakeholders.  – Romeo T. Limpangog, JMD (FREEMAN)