Almost every month in the calendar has its fair share of Catholic events that are celebrated or commemorated.
February, March, and April share this year's Lenten season, and annually, September marks the start of the months-long celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. During May, picking up from last month's highly festive Easter Sunday—which celebrated Christ's resurrection and ascension to Heaven—can be a bar too high to reach.
But with a festival up its sleeve called "Flores de Mayo" (a Spanish "flowers of May"), the month of May offers a dazzling, reverent, jovial, and colorful 31-day tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which culminates in a pageant style of procession that portrays various historical and Biblical characters as well as Marian titles.
Equal parts historical, and religious, the ritual pageant held on the last day of May has come to be known as Santacruzan (from the Spanish "Santa Cruz," meaning "holy cross") or sagala, which also refers to the girls or women taking part in the parade, clad in stunning dresses and gowns.
It seeks to reenact the search and discovery of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena (Reyna Elena), who was made empress by her son Constantine, the first Christian Roman emperor.
According to historian Xiao Chua in an interview with CNN Philippines, the Santacruzan was originally intended as an approach to further immerse Filipinos in Catholicism, beginning as a local tradition in 1854 and introduced by our Spanish colonizers. It grew to inherit our forefathers' boisterous celebrations, and it appears that our country is the only Catholic nation that marks the religio-historical event, which has become a staple.
While the regions have different ways of celebrating Flores de Mayo, most Philippine towns almost enact the procession in an identical fashion.
The Santacruzan, like any other ordinary procession in the Philippines, begins with a mass—albeit the service is longer than usual. The event's sponsor, called the hermano mayor (for men) or hermana mayor (for women), in line with tradition, organizes the entire event and may even spend huge sums of money from their pocket.
They also scout the sagalas, typically young children or teenagers, who will be portraying the characters. With the flashy arcs and vibrant sashes carrying the characters' names, silken costumes, and eye-catching props, the parade commences—and do not forget, the Santacruzan has to be full of flowers!
Moreover, each Santacruzan title holds a deeper meaning, representing qualities or values associated with the Christian faith.
From Reyna Elena, symbolizing the search for truth and the rediscovery of one's spiritual journey, to the different sagalas portraying virtues such as faith, hope, and charity, these women personify the essence of their titles.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and forced the world into an extended lockdown, Flores de Mayo activities were halted across the Philippines, particularly the Santacruzan. But since the health protocols and restrictions began easing, the liveliness and vibrancy of the tradition has been slowly returning.
Nowadays, it is also adjusting to modern conventions, with some communities conducting "online" Santacruzans and others modifying the traditional model of watching it outdoors by hosting live streams, allowing for wider coverage.
Meanwhile, many people today are also starting to pinpoint that the tradition carries a feminist ideology, especially with Reyna Elena as its main character. It also has a lineup of predominantly female figures.
This offers an opportunity to examine its potential feminist undertones. By embodying the characters associated with virtues such as purity, grace, and strength, women challenge traditional gender roles and assert their empowerment. The procession becomes a platform for showcasing the strength and resilience of women in society.
However, Gantala Press founder and curator at Filipinas Heritage Library Faye Cruz opined, as published by CNN, that just like traditional pageants, the religious tradition falls from grace when it emphasizes beauty standards more than its Biblical significance, especially in the way the sagalas are mainly chosen for their physical features—which Chua is also critical of.
The selection of the participants in sagalas does not need to reach the country's established bar for beauty standards. The selection can also be voluntary, where every woman in the community can join in advocating specific societal issues while upholding the tradition's spiritual and symbolic significance.
Some participants, organizers, and cultural advocates are also critical of the emphasis on beauty standards, echoing the view that it detracts from the actual religious essence of the Santacruzan.
A woman can either participate or not in the sagala; rest assured that they find solidarity and empowerment through this tradition. Women who were part of the procession stood up and became a representation of the pressing issues that needed to be addressed.
By standing up and showcasing their beauty, they also showcase their resilience and determination in fighting for justice and equality. Despite wearing elegant dresses, 6-inch high heels, enduring the pain, and glamorous makeup proves they can take on leadership roles and be recognized as representatives of essential virtues and historical figures.
Beyond Catholicism, Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan hold greater relevance within Philippine society as cultural celebrations that honor femininity, foster community spirit, and preserve Filipino traditions. It offers a glimpse into the diverse cultural tapestry of the Philippines.
A 2014 article titled "Rights Advocates Hold Alternative Santacruzan for Justice and Peace," published by Bulatlat, sheds light on the importance of Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan beyond its religious as well as feminist aspects. The event becomes a platform for raising awareness about society's overall struggle for equality.
It transforms into an avenue for people and advocates to express their concerns regarding human rights violations, land reform, labor rights, indigenous peoples' rights, and other pressing issues.
The Santacruzan has developed over time, with changes in execution and shifting perceptions. While criticisms of its pageantry and emphasis on beauty standards persist, many women taking part in the procession understand the importance of upholding their titles' religious and symbolic meaning.
By embodying these roles, they serve as ambassadors of faith, resilience, and empowerment, reminding us of the true essence of the Santacruzan.
References:
[1] Corpus, R. A. (2013b, May 1). The spirit of Flores de Mayo. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/27975-the-spirit-of-flores-de-mayo/
[2] De Castro, L. (2018b, May 28). The Reinas of Flores de Mayo and their representations. Shrine & Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu. https://aranzazushrine.ph/index.php/2018/05/28/the-reinas-of-flores-de-mayo-and-their-representations/
[3] Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan engage Filipino youth in Marian devotion. (2020, May 6). Catholics & Cultures. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/philippines/flores-de-mayo-and-santacruzan
[4] Olea, R. V. (2014b). Rights advocates hold alternative ‘Santacruzan for justice, peace’ Bulatlat. https://www.bulatlat.com/2014/05/17/rights-advocates-hold-alternative-santacruzan-for-justice-peace/
[5] Ramirez, J. R. M. (2006, April 27). Sagala. Philstar.com. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.philstar.com/other-sections/newsmakers/2006/04/27/333712/sagala/amp/
[6] Rocamora, J. A. L. (2021, May 31). Santacruzan in the time of pandemic. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1142134
[7] Santacruzan in Philippines: Beauty pageant in honor of the Holy Cross | H-Celebration | H-Net. (n.d.). https://networks.h-net.org/node/167585/blog/moveable-feast/1916654/santacruzan-philippines-beauty-pageant-honor-holy-cross#:~:text=Santacruzan%2C%20a%20pinnacle%20of%20the,the%20first%20Christian%20Roman%20Emperor.
[8] Santacruzan might be ‘feminism even before feminism was born.’ (2018b, May 22). Cnn. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2018/05/22/santacruzan-flores-de-mayo.html
[9] SC Santacruzan in the Time of Pandemic | DSWD Field Office NCR Official Website. (2022, June 10). https://ncr.dswd.gov.ph/2022/06/sc-santacruzan-in-the-time-of-pandemic/
[10] Tempo Desk. (2020, May 29). ‘Santacruzan’ cast. Tempo - the Nation’s Fastest Growing Newspaper. https://tempo.com.ph/2020/05/29/santacruzan-cast/#:~:text=Following%20in%20quick%20succession%20are,severed%20head%20of%20a%20man.
Article: Zeny Marie Cerantes and Jennel Christopher Mariano
Graphics: Rick Andrei Carigma
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