Fishermen held a fluvial procession in the southern Philippine city of General Santos in Mindanao to honour the Santo Nino, or the Child Jesus.
At least 200 fishing vessels of all sizes took part in the procession, an annual event that started 40 years ago to show thanks to the Lord for the bounty people get from the sea.
The city of General Santos, a predominantly Christian urban centre in the southern region of Mindanao, is known as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”.
An estimated 20,000 people depend on the tuna industry for a living, which generates annual export earnings of about €280m.
In the village of Bula, where tuna fishing started in the region, people have chosen the Child Jesus as their patron and whose feast is celebrated every January.
An image of the Santo Nino is placed on board a boat for the parade every year.
What started as a village tradition has evolved into a week-long celebration that includes the fishermen’s parade.
Fishing magnate Marfenio Tan, an organiser of the event, said the parade attracts visitors from far and wide.
“Devotees flocked to city to show their gratitude to God for blessings they received,” said Tan.
