An event eagerly anticipated by city
residents is the grand parade or "paseo" held on January 5 in honor of
the Three Kings. |
The main participants of the paseo
are thousands of devotees of the Three Kings who endure the long walk under
the hot afternoon sun to ask or give thanks for favors. |
Three men astride horses play the
roles of the Three Kings. |
Pilgrims from all over the province
and Central Luzon pack the National Shrine of the Divina Pastora to pay
homage to the patron saints. |
Inside the church, they visit the
Nativity scene set up at the right side of the main altar. |
For the first time, the second floor
of the parish office which began construction in 2006, is opened to the
public for a special exhibit. |
There, devotees line up... |
... to pay homage to the big replica
image of the Divina Pastora... |
... and those of the Three Kings
which are brought out only during processions. |
Also on display are rich vestments
of the original and replica images of the Divina Pastora and those of the
Three Kings... |
... and rare old photos of the interior
of the Gapan church... |
... all dressed up for various religious
feasts. |
