GENERAL SANTOS CITY: Some 200
fishing vessels sailed the waters of Sarangani Bay to join the fluvial
procession for the Feast of Sto. Niño Thursday.
This year’s feast of Sto. Niño celebration
is centered in Barangay Bula as a way of giving thanks to the patron saint for
the bountiful catch of fishing firms that have flourished in the city.
Mayor Ronnel Rivera was present to
show support for the festival and explained why it is a very significant event.
Rivera said that the city, being made
and built by fishing, a huge portion of its economy is sustained and developed
by fishing industry.
The SOCKSARGEN Federation of
Fishing and Allied Industries has stated they support Rivera in strengthening
the fishing industry of the city.
The mayor said the city’s fishing industry
will remain stable for the years to come.
The fluvial parade is one of the
most anticipated events of the festival, featuring Bula’s fishing vessels
sailing from the shore of Gensan at Queen Tuna Park towards Sarangani Bay and
then back while carrying the statue of Sto. Niño.
A fishing boat from the RLG Fishing
Company carried the Sto Niño statue and led the fluvial parade in the ealr
morning.
Later the Sto. Niño was handed to
an amphibian vessel owned by Domeng Congson to be transported to Barangay Bula.
This part of the festival is locally known as the “Salubong”.
Devotees rushed towards the
amphibian vessel as it reached the shoreline in attempt to get a flower from
its decorated bow. The faithful believed that the flower will bring blessing
and abundance for an entire year.
Some devotees have also brought
their own Sto. Niño statues to partake in the celebration.
Aside from the parade, the
Isda-Isdaan Festival is also integrated in the Patronal Feast of Barangay Bula
giving more color and flavor to the activity.
The Joint Task Force Gensan and
Philippine National Police deployed additional personnel in the area to beef up
security throughout the duration of the festival. (WITH REPORTS BY Ian John M. Lagare)