St. John's image taken around San Juan without traditional water festivities

Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat, Saint John the Baptist's image was toured around San Juan City without the traditional water festivities.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras," Eding Cabico, a grandmother,  could not help her tears during the parade as the lively festivities of the past years could not be done this year because of the pandemic.   

"Nalulungkot ako ngayon. Hinanap-hanap ko 'yun nu'ng nakaraan. Kasali pa ng ako nu'ng sayaw doon sa plaza," Cabico said.

Some residents still went to the streets to witness their patron saint as it passed by, even the city government reminded them to stay home.  

"Iisa lang hinihiling ko, matapos lang 'yung problema ng COVID," a resident said.

"Talagang nalulungkot kami sa nangyayari kasi gustuhin man namin, bawal talaga," another resident said.

Unlike the past years when the streets would be crowded slowing down the parade, this year's procession was swift, easily passing through narrow roads, obstructed only by low-hanging power lines. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News