Santacruzan in the Philippines

During the month of May, many places in the Philippines hold the Flores de Mayo or the Flowers of May Festival. This is a festival that is dedicated to the Catholic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the highlights of this month-long festival is the Santacruzan in the Philippines.

Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan

The Flores de Mayo and the Santacruzan are not two separate events. Rather, the latter is a major component of the former. It can be said that the Santacruzan is the last highlight of the Flores de Mayo since it is usually held at the last day of the month-long activity. Traditionally, flower processions are held every day starting the first day of May and the Santacruzan is the culminating procession. However, it is now common for many places in the Philippines to hold a Santacruzan any day in the month of May, most likely due to practical reasons.

While the daily processions would entail offering of flowers, the Santacruzan is a much more elaborate procession made up of biblical characters and representations associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has somehow evolved into some form of beauty pageant as applied in modern times. The Catholic Church however is consistent in reminding the faithful that the Santacruzan is primarily a religious historical procession.

Photo Credit: Tessa Gempesaw

The Significance of Santacruzan in the Philippines

The Santacruzan is held in honor of the finding of the True Cross in Jerusalem by Helena of Constantinople and Constantine the Great. The cross is believed to be the one upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. The Empress Helena was said to have traveled to the Holy Land in her search. Some historians are in the opinion that she found where the three crosses used in the crucifixion of Jesus and the two thieves were hidden.

The truth as to which was the True Cross or the one used by Jesus was said to have been revealed by a miracle. It is worth noting that many churches claim having possession of fragments of the True Cross. There are still questions however as to the authenticity of the story and the cross fragments as well. This has not prevented the observance of related traditions such as as the Santacruzan.

Photo Credit: Tessa Gempesaw

My Say

Last night, we held one such activity in our village. It was organized by the Basic Ecclesial Community of which I was part of. Our main objective was to expose the young generation to the real meaning of the tradition for them to understand that it goes beyond beautiful queens and dashing escorts. My youngest daughter gamely joined as one of the kiddie sagalas and didn’t mind having to walk for at least 2 hours. The rest of the family participated by holding torches and other lighting gadgets to illuminate the path. We all went home sweating and tired but happy none the less not only for having the chance to take part in a long-time Filipino tradition but also because we participated in it as a family.