The Annual Flores de Mayo & Santacruzan

In the Philippines the May rains which fall following long periods of dryness cause flowers to magically bloom overnight, filling the air with their fragrance. Filipinos celebrate these beneficial rains  with a flower festival celebrated throughout the month of May in honour of the Virgin Mary - The Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May).

In many parishes, these afternoon festivities culminate in an elaborate procession to the Church where an evening mass is celebrated. The procession is called "Santacruzan" (Festival of the Holy Cross), a commemoration of the finding of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.

The townsfolk choose pretty young ladies to represent the various characters of the commemoration: the "Accolades of Our Lady". Each one is dressed in an exquisite, colourful gown, looking as regal as the Reina (Queen) she portrays. Reina Fe (Faith), Reina Esperanza (Hope), Reina Caridad (Charity), Reina Mora (Muslim), Reina Banderada (Flag), and Reina Justicia (Justice) walk with their consorts under hand-carried bamboo arches decked with colour-themed native flowers.

The highlight of the procession is the majestic Reina Elena (Queen Helena) who walks with her consort, Prinsipe Constantino, under a huge canopy of May flowers. Immediately behind her is a float carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by a brass band that lends the festive sounds to the procession.

As the pageant moves along the streets, devotees holding lit candles follow, and join in the rosary, novena, and songs of praise.

This Filipino tradition ("The Queen of May Festivities"), introduced by the Spanish conquerors, is more than 100 years old and lives on even in Europe and America. Filipino Communities and Associations all over the world celebrate the Santacruzan with the same pageantry and glamour as the townsfolk in their homeland.

This year a festival is to be held at First Martyrs on Sunday 18th May following the 10.30 Mass. The precession will be on the streets near to the church attended by Bishop Konstant, and will conclude with a shared buffet in the Church Hall.