Devotees mark 30th year of pagoda tragedy

BOCAUE, Bulacan , Philippines — Devotees of Saint Martin of Tours in this town yesterday marked the 30th year of the pagoda tragedy, which claimed at least 266 lives.

The tragic fluvial procession celebrating the feast of the Mahal na Poon ng Krus sa Wawa occurred on the night of July 2, 1993 in the Bocaue River, between the villages of Bunlo and Bambang.

Yesterday’s event started with a prayer at 7 p.m. followed by the ringing of the bells of the Saint Martin Parish at 8 p.m. to remind residents of Bocaue about the “martyrdom” of the devotees and passengers of the pagoda who died when the structure collapsed 30 years ago.

The following years after the tragedy, the feast of the Mahal na Poon ng Krus sa Wawa was marked with a simple day of prayer and remembrance.

Several years later, the fluvial novena and procession called Lutrina resumed, with stricter rules for those who want to ride the pagoda.

Ret. Col. Manuel Lukban Jr., officer-in-charge of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office, said they provided two rescue boats with personnel and an ambulance to the organizers of the fiesta.

Aside from these, 200 life vests were provided during the fluvial processions, Lukban said.

The Lutrina started on Friday and will culminate with the feast of the Mahal na Poon ng Krus sa Wawa on July 9.

On the feast day, the pagoda will set sail at 10 a.m. following a mass at the Bocaue Parish.