by Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY January 14 (PIA) –Early in the morning today, thousands of Santo Niño devotees from around the city walked and carried icons in different sizes and dressed in colorful costumes to attend the concelebrated mass at the wharf area here.
The mass, one of the highlights of activities of the week-long parochial fiesta celebration was presided over by no less than Bishop Emmanuel Carbajal and assisted by 16 vested priests in a makeshift mounted at the wharf area.
Cabajar, in his message said if we want to improve peace and order and see wide smiles of children and senior citizens; we should take of our environment.
Kung buot kita nga molambo ang kalinaw ug panagdait sa atong taliwala, kung buot kita nga dili kawad-an ang pahiyom ug pagmaaya ang nawong sa mga kabataan ug senior citizens, ug kanatong tanan, atong tahuron, ampingan, ug amumahon ang kinaiyahan (If we want to improve peace and order and unity in our midst, if we want to see wide smiles of children, senior citizens, and of ours; we should respect, nurture and preserve our environment), Cabajar appealed.
”Kita unta nga nag-alirong karon sa altar panalaangingan unta sa iyang anak, ang balaang Sr. Sto. Niño aron mohari ang gugma ug panagdait sa Diyos sa atong mga pamilya ug sa tibuok natong katilingban (We, who are gathered in this altar will be blessed by His son, the holy Sto, Niño so that love and unity from our God will prevail in our family and the entire community),” Cabajar added.
After the mass, the Sto. Nino image was brought to the Ramona Fishing Corporation (RFC) vessel for the fluvial procession/ parade.
Devotees dressed in elaborate costumes held the images and boarded the vessels. They offered prayers and said the rosary while the vessels drifted at the vicinity of Yllana Bay.
Other devotees, boarded in different vessels danced with the “Sinulog” beat while holding an icon of the Sto. Niño and chanting “Viva Pit Senyor” to show their love and devotion to the patron saint.
The fluvial parade at the Yllana Bay lasted for an hour.
Mayor Samuel Co on the other hand, thanked all the people who worked very hard for the success of the concelebrated mass, fluvial parade and regatta activities especially the Pagadian City Parish, City Tourism Council, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Maritime Police, Philippiine National Police, Philippine Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, coastal barangays and Organized Radio Assistance Communication and Information System. (NBE/GCC-PIA9, ZamboSur)
