Fluvial Parade Amazes Alarcio

“Beautiful experience!”

This is how regional police director Chief Supt. Silverio “Boying” Alarcio, Jr. described yesterday morning's fluvial parade after he, his wife and three-year old son joined the activity.

The region's highest police official, who originally came from Pangasinan, admitted that it was his first time to witness Cebuanos in high spirits celebartinf the journey of the Holy Familr from Mandaue to Cebu City via the Mactan Channel.

The yearly fluvial parade happening a day before the Sinulog, considered the mother of all festivals in the country, was composed of more than a hundred decorated sea vessels in different sizes.

Alarcio admitted to The FREEMAN that it was the first time in his life to witness such spectacular religious festivity, adding however that it could be the last as he may be transferred before the next year's Sinulog celebration.

Alarcio, his wife Sally and their young son Silverion “Oyong” Alarcio III boarded a small vessel together with other regional police officials and their families.

“Beautiful experience, a unique one… ngayon lang ako nakaranas ng ganito,” Alarcio told The FREEMAN through the telephone.

As the fluvial procession started leaving Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City , several ships anchored at the channel blew their horns to give respect to the Holy Family, whose icons were carried by MV Trinidad.

Some of those berthed ships used their distress flares and tangerine-colored smoke signals to complement with the sounds of firecrackers. A chartered helicopter and a small turboprop aircraft also poured flowers into the fluvial parade route.

Alarcio said he and his family would also witness the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras today.