Flores de Mayo at Santacruzan. Flores , from Spanish flores or " flowers ," also known as Flores de Mayo flowers of May , Flores de Maria flowers of Mary or alay offering , may refer to the whole Flower Festival celebrated in the month of May in honor of the Virgin Mary. A Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pagent held in many cities, towns and even smll villages throughout the Philippines during the month of May. One of the most colorful May-time festivals in the Philippines which depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.
Many movie and television personalities participate in the events and are featured as major sagalas and escorts. The festivity commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena Reina Elena and her son, the newly converted emperor Constantine. After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to rome, there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving. This festival was introduced by the Spaniards in the Philippines and has since become part of Filipino traditions identified with youth, love and romance.
This colorful pageant parade is arranged in this order:. Methuselah - he is bearded, bent with age, riding a cart looking preoccupied with toasting some grains of sand in a pan over a fire. This is a reminder that all that glitters will end up as dust like what he is toasting.
Reyna Banderada - a young lady dressed in a long red gown carrying a yellow triangular flag. She represents the coming of Christianity. Aetas - represent the state of the country before the coming of Christianity. These are the unconverted Filipino pagans. Reyna Mora - represents the dominant religion before Christianity feminine of Moro from the Moslem religion.
Reyna Fe - symbolizes the virtue of faith - the first of the theological virtues. She carries a cross. Reyna Esperanza - symbolizes the virtue of hope - the second theological virtue. She carries an anchor. Reyna Caridad - symbolizes the virtue of charity - the third theological virtue. She carries a red heart. Reyna Abogada - the defender of the poor and the oppressed. She wears a black graduation cap toga and gown and she carries a big book. Reyna Sentenciada - has her slim hands bound by a rope.
