Playa Blanca embarked the Virgen del Carmen this Sunday on the fishing boat of the El Iván Guild, as an act of honor to the patron saint of the town and faithful to the seafaring tradition of the town. Hundreds of residents and tourists followed the procession from the maritime avenue and the small beach, with the participation of about fifty fishing and sports boats that were next to the Virgin on her walk along the southern coast.
The mass officiated in the church by the priest Sixto Álvarez and animated by thirty voices of the Coral de Valterra Iris del Mar preceded the transfer of the image of the Patron Saint by devotees and companions to the beach. Those who carried the Virgin were guided by children and young people from the Yaiza School of Music who performed folkloric pieces.
In the act of veneration to the Virgin, and also of homage to sailors and workers of the sea, young and old fishermen from Playa Blanca coincided. Francisco Martín, with 85 years behind him and still with the strength to work, fulfilled an essential appointment as every year, according to the Yaiza City Council. He has been fishing since he was 10 years old, "when my father took me out of school to work at sea and I still go fishing," said the neighbor. For Francisco and for generations of sailors, fishing has been the great sustenance of the family and he proudly acknowledges that thanks to this activity he was able to raise seven children. "My first boat was rowing and sailing and I managed to have good boats and save a penny or two to be calm now," he said about his beginnings. In so many days of hardships and dangers, day and night, he said that "thanks to the Virgin I am alive and that is why until I can I will come to load her".
Finally, Playa Blanca received the Virgin with cheers and with the same joy and respect led her from the beach to the church with the illusion of reliving intensely the celebrations of tribute to its patron saint.