SANTACRUZAN IN THE PHILIPPINES
by Wandering Attercop


The Santacruzan is a popular religious festival held in many towns and cities throughout the Philippines as the highlight of the month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo during the month of May. It is usually celebrated with a parade of decorated floats and elaborately dressed characters, representing various aspects of the Virgin Mary and other figures. The festival was introduced to the country during the Spanish period and continues to be celebrated by Filipinos all over the world.  Santacruzan is also known for the participation of famous personalities as major sagalas and escorts.*

Flores de Mayo (flowers of May), sometimes called Flores de Maria is a flower festival celebrated annually in May to honor the Virgin Mary.*

*WIKIPILIPINAS

Last May 13, our barangay had a Santacruzan. My daughter,Mana, was one of the "sagalas." It rained before the event and just before the parade finishes it rained again. Too bad  because there are a lot of participants and mostly are little girls. 

Here are some of Mana's pictures: