Flores de Mayo Kicks Off

Festivals had been part of the lives of the Filipinos. It is traditionally celebrated throughout the country all year round.

Summer months are the season of colorful festivals. May is considered to be the merriest and beautiful month of the year and one such festival is the “Queen of Filipino Festivals” and the Flores de Mayo.

Flores De Mayo

It is a month – long Catholic festival celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Every day in May, children and girls dressed in white, will make a floral offering to the Virgin Mary in the parish church and Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK’s). Adults gather those offerings and bundle the blooms in exotic arrangement for the Flower Festival.

Catechists share their skills to instill in children and youth the virtues of Mary. Parents show support by sending them to their GKK’s.

The townsfolk observe the religious – cultural Festival together in the afternoons to pray the rosary, offer flowers to churches, and share homemade delicacies and snacks. Everyone wears their Sunday best, sing and dance to welcome the rain after a long dry spell.

The Santa Cruzan

Introduced by the Spanish conquerors, the Santa Cruzan has since become part of the Filipino traditions known with youth, love and romance.

The parade on the last day of May finds its climax remembering St. Elena’s mythical finding of the True Cross in Jerusalem. Selected beautiful young women dress lovely, superb and look elegant to be the Reyna (Queen) she portrays walking with males wearing Barong Tagalog portraying Prinsipe Constantino (Prince Constantine), under a huge canopy of May flowers.

Being chosen as Reyna Elena is considered as the most prestigious role in the parade. Closely behind her is a float carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the brass band that lends the festive sounds to the procession. Devotees’ holding lighted candles follow and join in the rosary, novena, and songs of praise.

Some local government provides the expenses. After the evening Mass the town Mayor holds a dinner party to delight the celebration.

What makes these festivals important and relevant is that by celebrating them, the Blessed Mother leads us to His Son Jesus.