Filipino Santacruzan A Celebration of Heritage and Faith Philippine Cultural Center - Parma May 25, 2025
Flores de Mayo (Spanish for "flowers of May") is a festival held in the Philippines in the month of May. It is one of the May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary and lasts for the entire month. The Santacruzan (from the Spanish santa cruz, "holy cross") is the ritual pageant held on the last day of the Flores de Mayo.
The Cleveland Filipino community celebrated May 16 - 25, 2025 with a variety of services, gatherings, performances and a parade.
Mary Boustani shared this background information about Santacruzan.
"In the Philippines, May is not just another month-it's a time of unparalleled joy and beauty, marked distinctly by the fragrance of blossoms that fill the air, erasing the need to "stop and smell the roses." As the dry season gives way to refreshing rains, the landscape bursts into a riot of colors overnight.
As a predominantly Catholic nation, Filipinos celebrate these life-giving showers by honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. Villagers gather an array of vibrant flowers to decorate their churches in an artistic celebration known as "Flores De Mayo" (Flowers of May). Each afternoon, communities unite to offer flowers, pray the rosary, and share in homemade delights. Dressed in their finest, both young and old dance and sing, welcoming the rains that promise to nourish their fields. The highlight is the Santacruzan-a week-long street pageant that parades the beauty of Philippine maidens and their chivalrous escorts under arches of bamboo and native flowers.
The highlight of the Santacruzan is the parade of sagalas, young women dressed in elaborate gowns, each representing various biblical and historical figures. These sagalas are not merely participants but symbols of virtues and ideals. For instance, Reyna Elena, the central figure of the procession, symbolizes Queen Helena herself. She is often accompanied by a young boy dressed as Constantine, signifying the unity of mother and son in their quest for the True Cross. Watch a video of the Sagalas Parade around the back of the Philippine American Cultural Center.
Here are some more pictures from the Parade of Sagalas.
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After the Parade, there were ceremonies, music and singing and food! Here are a few images.
