APALIT -- For the first time in his life, Vice Governor Dennis Pineda joined this town’s annual fluvial parade in honor of its patron saints Peter and Paul the Apostle Friday, June 29.

In an interview with SunStar Pampanga before the actual parade, Pineda expressed his admiration on the strong faith of Apaliteños of the patron saints who sustained the religious activity for centuries now.

The historic and well-known fluvial procession, where the life-sized images of Apung Iru (St. Peter) and Apung Ambu (St. Paul) are paraded in the Pampanga River, has become an annual tradition not only of residents but devotees who comes from different parts of the province.

“The devotion of Apaliteños is truly admirable. The fluvial parade is centuries old yet they were able to sustain it, that even the youth are actively participating” he said.

“This is the first time I will join the fluvial parade because I really want to feel the joy and solemnity of the procession,” Pineda furthered.

When asked about his prayer to St. Peter and St. Paul, Pineda said he did not ask for anything personal, but only the betterment of the province of Pampanga and its people.

“My prayer was for St. Peter and St. Paul to continuously guide Pampanga and its people and keep them away from harm’s way, especially during the rainy and typhoon season,” he said.

During the fluvial parade, Pineda was joined by former Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr., Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Angie Blanco and members of the municipal council.