My Unforgettable Flores

GUMAMELA & SANTAN

I had been a student of Flores de Mayo when I was young. I can still remember that we always pick whatever flower that we like along the way so we can offer something to Mama Mary. Our favorite picks were Gumamela and Santan. It was because they were the easiest to be seen.

We always loved to sing action songs such as “Si Kristo ang Sandigan” and “Maria, Rayna sa Pilipinas.” We sung happily together with my siblings and neighbors.

We were naughty then and we kept on playing and laughing. But when our catechist started lecturing and asking questions about the catechism lessons, we became attentive. Why? Maybe because of the prizes that we might get from answering. Also, who else would forget the snacks that everyone’s been waiting? Indeed, my Flores de Mayo experience was fun and highly memorable. (Cylyne Mhar P. Alforque)

STOLEN FLOWERS?

My Flores de Mayo experience was so educational.

I remember, when I was 10 years old, before May comes, my childhood friends would remind me about it. They wanted me to join them to attend the activity. So, I committed to them, because I also want to experience. It made me curious of what’s happening there.

Finally, May 1 came and our Flores opened. I was excited that day because I waited for it for weeks, and finally I was about to experience it.

It was past lunch. My friends were outside waiting for me. I went out to be with them so we can already go to the chapel. When we were on our way, one of my friends opened up that we needed to have some flowers for the offering. So, along the way we picked Gumamela and Calachuchi from somebody else’s garden. While we were picking them, we were laughing at each other because we knew we were stealing flowers. Nobody saw us. We went straight to the chapel.

The Flores was about to start. We fell in line for the opening march then offered flowers to Mama Mary. Then we begin to listen to the lectures of the catechist. We drew, sang “Jubilee Song”, practiced its hand signals, and present it after. The event was about to end when the organizer told us to fall in line and get our free “merienda.”

I was shocked because they treated us. My friends asked if it was part of the tradition to feed us. They said, “Yes, it is!” I was amazed because children get to be educated and be filled with spiritual and material food after. We went home after and finished it successfully. (Noel Dela Peña)

BALAY KO SA LANGIT

The chapel opens for kids aging 3-12 to join for a whole morning or afternoon to know more about our God. Though even in a holy place, mischief really goes side by side with a kid. I can still remember how I and my friends would pick flowers from our neighbor’s front yard, with or without notice, for the Ave Maria later on that day. Who could forget those songs like “Chikading” and “Balay ko sa Langit” plus with the dance to go along with it? Of course, the best part was the snack time, free foods and drinks after a long rosary. It’s only for less than a month and you could already gain both friendship and heaven points.

We have learned nothing but inspiring stories from the bible, life of apostles, and all stories about Mama Mary. After just one summer I came to love the experience so much, that I joined for 8 more years until I reached the maximum age limit. Not only have I gained true friends but I have become a true daughter of God.

Let’s forward six years into the present and that fulfilled feeling during those summers of my Flores de Mayo days still lingers. Sadly though, now when I ask the kids about it they don’t even have any idea. The media has captured their attention but what reflects on their manners and morality skews negatively. So it’s time for it to be reintroduced, let the kids of the new generation experience the words of God. Enhancing their skills is much appreciated but first don’t forget to bring them closer to Him. (Kryssha Nismal)