Our Lady of the Rule fiesta rites, fluvial procession set

CEBU, Philippines - A fluvial procession of the Our Lady of the Rule will start at 7 a.m. today, along the waters off Lapu-Lapu City, to mark the start of a nine-day novena for the coming city fiesta on November 20 to 21.

This is the 15th time the city government is organizing the annual fluvial procession.

Hours before the fluvial, a 5:30 a.m. Mass will be held at Marigondon Church, followed by a send-off motorcade of the patron saint into the port where it will be put into a waiting flower-bedecked yacht.

Mayor Paz Radaza, in yesterday’s news conference, said at least 70 pump boats are expected to join the procession. “We required every barangay to go with the fluvial, including the employees.”

The Our Lady of the Rule image will be ferried from the port at the Pacific Cebu Resort in Barangay Subabasbas, then sail along the coastal areas of Barangays Marigondon, Agus, Maribago, Mactan and Punta Engaño, take a turn at Mangal Point (still in Barangay Punta Engaño), pass through the waters off Barangays Ibo and Pusok, and then dock at the port of Muelle Osmeña at Barangay Poblacion, near the Virgen dela Regla Parish.

Damian Gomez, the city’s tourism commissioner, said para-sailers will be there to welcome the patron saint.

During the fluvial procession, flower petals will be showered by the Philippine Air Force near Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa, the Marcelo Fernan bridge and Muelle Osmeña.

Half of the city councilors, including Radaza herself, will be the andas bearers who will walk to the Virgen dela Regla Parish church. The other half of the city officials will be stationed at the church to welcome the arrival of the holy image. A Mass will then be held at 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, Jose Dungog, president of the Association of Barangay Captains, said in a recent press conference that the “Garbo sa Lapu-Lapu Festival” will be held on November 18, in line with the city’s fiesta, which is one of the major projects of the city government.

According to Raleigh Vilo, the festival’s event coordinator, delegations from each of the 30 barangays will participate in competitions, Pasahalad, Search for Festival Dancing Queen, and Street Dancing.

Float and Higante competitions will also be included, Vilo said, adding that the city had allocated P1.1 million for the activities.

Dungog added that he will file at the City Council a resolution for declaring November 18 as “Youth Day of Lapu-Lapu City.” — (FREEMAN)