Apung Iru stands for the holy image of St. Peter, which is brought to its shrine in a fluvial procession. Carried in its "pagoda" amidst prayers, religious songs and water-fighting revelers. It is highlighted with a fluvial parade down the Pampanga River. It's another unique custom in this tradition-filled country.
Photo from: pinoyphotography.org
Celebrated every June 27-29 of every year, the
feast of St. Peter is observed with a fluvial parade with gaily decorated
motorboats and colorful bancas roving up and down the Pampanga River. The image
of St. Peter, called Apung Iru by the locals, is carried through town to the
river, where a lavish decorated pagoda mounted on a barge awaits. The image is
placed on the pagoda and devotees dance and pray before it. The 3-day
celebration honoring Apung Iru starts on June 27 and culminates on June 29 when
the image is brought back to its shrine at Capalanagan.
Photo from: traveltothephilippines.info
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.
Photo from: pinoyphotography.org
On the 28th, 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.
Photo from: seasite.niu.edu
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.
