Every June 28, devotees of Saint Peter the Apostle, more known to the locals as “Apung Iru”, flock at the Pampanga River to honor and pay homage to the revered patron saint of Apalit.
The town’s 3-day festivities marked by the grandiose fluvial parade commonly known as “Libad” begins with what the locals call “Pamandakit” wherein the image of Apung Iru is fetched from its shrine in Calapangan and brought to the Apalit Church through the float or “pagoda” escorted by its devout supporters onboard the pagoda and other motorized bancas.
Apalit Parish Priest Rolando Lopez said during the blessing of the new pagoda, “St. Peter was chosen by God to unite men and women. Simon Peter, who was once a fisherman, became fisher of men. He is a symbol of unity.”
And true enough, people, not only townsfolk of Apalit, but Filipinos as well as tourists from different parts of the country and the world come together to honor Apung Iru in this momentous event.
The provincial government of Pampanga led by Governor Lilia “Nanay” G. Pineda also joined the devotees as they traversed Pampanga River and faced the continuous pour of rain. The governor was accompanied by Board Members Monina “Monz” Laus, Trina Dizon, and Fritzie David-Dizon, and was not even conscious of getting wet along the way.
Engr. Lulu Alincastre of the provincial disaster risk reduction management council, Luningning Vergara of the Public Employment Service Office, and Joel Mapiles of the provincial in formation office also came to represent the Capitol.
Not minding the stormy weather, devotees who are probably strangers to one another acted as one. People shared their food, water, and whatever they have in their boats to others as they traversed the same path for the libad.
Tourists Liam Nolan and Derick de Lacey, both citizens of Ireland, happily handed food and water to other devotees as their barge joined the flock of floats and motorized bancas.
Meanwhile, Pineda gave a brief message to the Apaliteños prior to the libad, “Praying to your patron saint “Apung Iru” is very significant. He has always been miraculous, but we must also do our part. As Kapampangans, as Filipinos, we owe it to ourselves and to the future generations to ensure that the Pampanga River will always serve as a symbol of life, livelihood, and more importantly a symbol of our unity. Let us be responsible citizens and stop the defiling and polluting our Pampanga River.”
For the Kapampangans, Pampanga River had always been a source of livelihood. It was once bustling with fishermen and tradesmen offering goods and produce from neighboring towns. It would indeed be great news if Pampanga River was restored to its former beauty.
Archbishop Paciano Aniceto once said, ““Kapampangan” came from the word “pampang” (shore, riverside). We were conceived from the water, were borne from the water. We must value water, because water is life.”
The annual event was culminated by the ritual “Pamanatad”, wherein Apung Iru is brought back to its shrine in Calapangan. People gathered at sidewalks and eagerly waited for the return of Apung Iru as they sing songs of praise and gratitude for their beloved patron saint. (Angelique D.C. Tuazon, PIO Pampanga)
