Santacruzan 101: Understanding The Filipino Festival
Flores de Mayo is a colorful festival that literally translates to “Flowers of May”. It is celebrated annually and Mayfest 2024 is bringing it to Carson! This festival is an important part of Filipino culture and we want the participants of Mayfest to experience its beauty firsthand. In this blog, we will share with you what makes Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan special and why they matter. We will also share what you will see when you watch the Santacruzan live.
History and Significance of Flores de Mayo
Flores De Mayo is a Filipino festival celebrated throughout the month of May. Flores de Mayo’s origin dates back to the Spanish colonial era, the Philippines has been celebrating it for hundreds of years. The festival is all about honoring the Virgin Mary and involves daily offerings of flowers at churches know as “alay”, community gathers, and fun activities such as coconut grabbing, pig grabbing, and a marathon.
Santacruzan: A Procession of Beauty and Faith
Santacruzan is a procession held on the last day of Flores de Mayo, and is the grand final or pinnacle of the festival. It tells the story of Queen Helena (Reyna Elena) and her son’s search for the Holy Cross. The procession has young women, called sagalas, representing different historical and religious figures, each symbolizing different virtues or stories from the Christian faith.
The procession is a big, colorful event with the sagalas or reinas (queens) wearing elaborate dresses and walking under decorated arches. Everyone looks forward to seeing Reyna Elena, who is usually joined by a boy playing Emperor Constantine.
Some of the Reinas and Characters included in Mayfest 2024’s Santacruzan include:
Reyna Banderada (Queen with a Banner)
Reyna Fe (Queen of Faith)
Reyna Esperanza (Queen Hope)
Reyna Caridad (Queen Charity)
Reyna Senteciada (Queen Convicted)
Reyna Elena (Queen Helena)
Reyna Emperatriz (Queen Empress)
Methuselah
Little Boy (Constantine)
Samaritana
Santa Veronica
Divina Pastora (Divine Shepherdess)
Rosa Mistica (Mystical Rose)
The sagalas are arranged accordingly with Reina Elena walking last.
Santacruzan in MayfesT
A Santacruzan will be held in Mayfest 2024 and muses from all over Southern California will represent the Reinas important for the procession. Our mission is to bring different communities together, promoting unity and understanding, while celebrating our rich heritage and shared values. This is the first time a Santacruzan will be held in Mayfest 2024 and we want you to be there!
Get involved in Mayfest 2024’s SantacruzaN
We want the Santacruzan procession to be perfect and we need your help! If you are passionate about community events and cultural celebrations we are inviting you to join as a volunteer for Flores de Mayo at Mayfest 2024. Mayfest will happen in May 19, 2024 at Carson Community Center and will feature exciting programs that will make it memorable for everyone.
We need as many volunteers as possible click down below to register as one:
https://mayfest.live/volunteer
As a volunteer you will play an important role in executing and organizing various aspects of the event. Here are some of the important things volunteers will do during the event:
Help plan the Santacruzan parade.
Assist in creating the props needed by the Reynas (Queens) for the parade.
Help in decorating and organizing the venue of the event.
Coordinate the participants and ensure program will run smoothly.
Help in the fundraising program.
Manage event logistics.
Become a Reina in the Santacruzan
We are in the search for Reinas that can represent important historical figures. If you've ever dreamt of being a Reyna or an escort in this vibrant and meaningful parade, this is your chance. Signing up as a Reyna or an escort offers a unique opportunity to be at the heart of a cherished cultural tradition, embodying the beauty and spirit of our community's heritage.
Don't miss out on this chance to be a part of something truly special and to make unforgettable memories. Sign up now and take a proud walk in celebration of our rich Filipino culture!
Click down below to sign up as a Reina:
Contact us
For more questions or information about volunteering or becoming a Reina, feel free to reach out to us:
Email: Outreach@cacareassociation.org
For more information about Mayfest visit our website here:
