The maiden voyage of the Mahal na Poon ng Krus na Wawa on Bocaue river for the celebration of the Pagoda Festival this year started on Friday night with the fluvial parade of the colorful pagoda adorned with images of trumpeting angels.

The nine-day novena or “Lutina” for the annual six-kilometer river-fluvial parade was on its 3rd year of voyage at the Bocaue River, 24 years after the so-called pagoda tragedy on July 2, 1993 where scores of devotees died after the overloaded boat carrying the image sank.