Macrine
and I dancing the Rigodon de Honor during the May Flower Ball and Dance
culminating the whole Month of May Celebration of Flores de Mayo in the
Philippines, 2005.
Today is May 1. It reminded me of an article I wrote 6 years ago on the
month of May in the Philippines. I am reposting it case you have not
read it!
Today is the start of the May Flowers Festival or the Flores de Mayo
Festival in the Philippines. This Festival lasting for the whole month
is in honor of Mary, the Virgin Mother. This is celebrated in all the
towns in the Roman Catholic parish churches in the Philippines. However,
the celebration of this Festival that I will always remember are the
celebrations in my hometown in Iloilo when I was growing up and the one
in Marinduque a few years ago when my mother-in-law was the Hermana. The
Hermana was the over-all chairperson for the whole month of festivities
which included a daily offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary along
with the recitation of the Rosary. The month is culminated with a Parade
and Dance participated by the whole town. During the Gala Dance, the
Rigodon de Honor is danced by the prominent officials and matrons of the
town.
The Santacruzan refers to the pageant on the last day of Flores de Mayo,
held in honor of Reyna Elena and Constantine finding the True Cross in
Jerusalem.
The following video reminds me of my childhood years in Barotac Viejo,
Iloilo when My late mother was also very active with our local parish
church.
The Sagala: A Sagala is a religio-historical beauty
pageant held in many cities, towns, and even in small communities
throughout the Philippines during the month of May. One of the most
colorful aspects of this festival, the pageant depicts the finding of
the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. Many
movie and television personalities participate in the events and are
featured in major sagala. This festival was introduced by the Spaniards
and has since become part of Filipino traditions identified with youth,
love, and romance. Prior to the Santacruzan, a novena is held in honor
of the Holy Cross.
The procession itself commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Reyna
Elena and her son, the newly-converted emperor Constantine. After the
Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to Constantinople,
there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving.
Reyna Elena
Reyna Eléna (Queen Helena) - the last member of the procession, she
represents Helena of Constantinople who found the True Cross; this is
alluded to by her attribute, a small cross or crucifix that she carries
in her arms. This considerably prestigious role is usually awarded to
the most beautiful girl participating in the pageant. In some
communities, the identity of the woman who will portray the Reyna Eléna
is kept a secret until the day of the procession. Constantíno - the
escort of Reyna Eléna; traditionally a young boy representing the
Emperor Constantine.
The procession is accompanied by the steady beat of the Rondalla,
playing and singing the Hail Mary ("Dios Te Salve"). The devotees
walking with the procession hold lighted candles in their hands and sing
the prayer as they go along.
After the procession, there is a Pabítin that serves as a culminating
activity for all the children to enjoy. A Pabítin is a square trellis to
which goodies (candies, fruits, small trinkets, etc.) are tied with
strings. This trellis in turn is tied to a rope and is suspended on a
strong branch or pole. Children then gather under the trellis as the it
is slowly lowered. They then jump as high as they can to try to pick the
goodies while someone jerks it up and down repeatedly until all the
goodies are gone. It is customary for males attending the Santa Cruzan
wear the traditional Barong Tagalog and that the females wear any
Filipiniana-inspired dress. Pabitin is similar to the Mexican
celebration of the Pinata.
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