APALIT -- This year’s celebration of the 174th town fiesta of Apalit will be a showcase of culture and tradition, an exhibition of Apaliteño talents and a thanksgiving to the town patron Saint Peter the Apostle, or Apung Iru to the locals.
Mayor Peter Nucom, together with the Fiesta Executive Committee headed by former Vice Mayor Paul Nabong, lined-up several activities that will become a platform in displaying the world-class talents of Apaliteños, as well as demonstrate their gratitude for the sustainable development their town is experiencing.
This includes a clean-up drive and tree planting activity on the riverside of Rio Grande de Pampanga, medical and dental mission, drum and lyre competition, motor engine boat racing and Mutya ning Apalit.
The most anticipated and well-known annual fluvial procession of Apung Iru will also be held on June 29, wherein several big and colorful boats and barges will parade for the whole day around the Pampanga River.
According to Nucom, the annual historic fluvial parade is listed as one of the most significant water-based intangible cultural heritage of the Philippines and has given identity to this fourth district town.
“The procession of Apung Iru, from the what we call ‘pamanyagana’ (fetching) on June 28, to the actual ‘libad’ (procession) on the 29th and the ‘panatad’ (return of image), all happening in Pampanga River has been a tradition and a known culture not only in our town, but in the whole country as well. And we are faithfully doing it every year to educate and inculcate to the youth our history in the hope that they will sustain it,” he said.
Nucom also said that the conduct of clean-up drive and tree planting activities are aimed at gratifying the Pampanga River for the abundant harvest it gave to the local fisherfolk of this town, especially fishing is still considered one of main livelihood here.
Likewise, the drum and lyre and engine motor boat competitions, and Mutya ning Apalit will exhibit the talents and capabilities of Apaliteños and showcase it for a possible higher level of competition.
“The winner of the Mutya Ning Apalit will be our bet for the Mutya Ning Kapampangan, which we all know is considered a high level of competition and a breeding ground for national competitions. So we are really serious in the screening and the criteria of the winners because one of them will become the representative our town,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nucom urged Apaliteños to celebrate the upcoming town fiesta meaningfully and peacefully while observing of the century-old traditions of their hometown.
“We understand that you will be celebrating and that the celebration of our three-day town fiesta is always special but we hope that everything will be done in the most peaceful and meaningful way in the name of Apung Iru,” he said.