AFTER two years of halted celebration, residents here and devotees of St. Peter the Apostle, the town’s patron saint, may festively celebrate again the three-day fiesta in this town.

The town fiesta celebrated from June 28 to 30 is highlighted by the fluvial parade wherein the image of St. Peter the Apostle or Apung Iru to locals is transported along the Pampanga River via a big boat from his shrine in Barangay Capalangan to the St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church in Barangay San Juan.

The parade, which is known and participated in by scores of residents and devotees, usually attracts large crowds who watches from the riverside.

However, the traditional celebration was suspended since 2020 due to the restrictions caused by the ongoing pandemic.

This year may be different as Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr. expressed optimism that the maintained low cases of Covid-19 will allow the resumption of the traditional and most-anticipated celebration of Apung Iru’s fiesta.

“Hinihintay lang namin ‘yung alert level status na ilalabas para sa June 16 to 30 pero kung tuluy-tuloy lang na level 1, makakapagcelebrate na tayo ulit,” he said.

Tetangco furthered that the local government, fiesta executive committee are already setting measures to ensure the safety of participants.

He said the town fiesta will be celebrated in the new normal way as all health protocols will be strictly enforced.

“Maglalabas kami ng official guidelines kapag naorganize na lahat pero as of now, naghahanda pa kami,” he said.