ILIGAN CITY – An estimated 23,000 residents and devotees witnessed the “rito sa pagpakanaug” (descending rite) of this city's patron saint, Michael the Archangel, on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the St. Michael Cathedral here after a two-year break due to the pandemic.
The pagpakanaug is one of the major highlights of the month-long celebration of the Diyandi Festival here in honor of St. Michael the Archangel.
A procession was held on the main thoroughfare here, with devotees chanting “Viva Senor San Miguel!”
Mayor Frederick Siao here is glad to see the return of the procession in thanksgiving and devotion to this city's patron saint.
Siao thanked emergency responders, military, police, other law enforcement agencies, the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Red Cross, and force multipliers for securing the procession.
The Iligan City police, through spokesperson Major Zandrex Panolong, estimated the crowd at 23,000.