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by
Ric Banzon
Santacruzan
is the queen of Maytime festival. It is a novena procession, in
commemoration of Saint Helena's finding of the holy cross. Saint
Helena was the mother of Constantine the great. The procession,
however, differs from other religious processions in that it does
not parade the usual images of patron saints. Instead, biblical
and historical characters are represented by the local people
dressed in appropriate costumes.
Against
incredible odds, Emperor Constantine fought a battle that
saved Christendom in the whole of fourth-century Europe; for on
the eve of the long and massive show-down, he looked at the skies
and saw an unforgettable sight that said: "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES".
He believed the sign and did conquer.
Inspired
by the vision and the victory, Saint Helena, Constantine's mother,
undertook a mission. She accomplished it, she succeeded, she found
the Holy Cross on which Christ was believed to have died.
The
Spanish Conquistadores brought the sword-shaped Symbol to the
country eventually named Filipinas and planted it in the province
of Cebu. That sign was the Santa Cruz and the celebration
of its Power and Beauty became the Santacruzan.
The
center of attraction of Santacruzan, a parade of victory in procession,
is Santa Elena because she is holding a Wooden Cross,
the SYMBOL OF CHRIST. Surrounded by lady attendants (sagalas
- shepherdesses) with their escort, the Queen-Saint is herself
escorted by Emperor Constantino. Three reynas (queens) are Fe,
Ezperanza and Caridad, Spanish names for the three (theological)
virtues. They personify the human qualities that correspond to
the claims of Christ as "the Way" (of Love). " the truth" (of
Faith) and "the hope" (of Life).
An
effort seems to have made to work in the four cardinal virtues
in the regal procession; Justice: represented by Reynas
Justicia, Sentenciada, Condenada, and Abogada. Prudence: represented
by Reyna Esther of the Old Testament whose counsel saved
the Israelites from suppression and oppression. Temperance:
personified by Reyna Judith, also from the Old testament
who beheaded the rotten (drunk) Holofernes and enable he people
to win against their enemies. Fortitude: shown by Reyna
Mora's participation and conversion from her Muslim Faith.
Reyna de las Flores and Reyna de las Estrellas, "generic"
titles attributed to the Blessed Virgin, may be replaced by the
official Marian titles of "Rosa Mystica" and "Stella Matutina"
(Morning Star).
In
many towns in the Philippines, the Santa Cruz procession follows,
not consecutively, a daily devotion to the Virgin Mary
called "Flores de Mayo" where children and adults, mostly
women and young ladies, do their praying, singing, antiphonal
recitations, pious testimony reading, the Rosary and the final
floral offering. This double event is worth mentioning to bolster
a basic motto: "Ad Jesum Per Mariam". We go to Jesus the same
way Jesus came to us - through Mary.
The
other characters may be included in, or excluded from, the cast
defending on their relation to the Santa Cruz motif. From the
historic force of Constantine's crucial victory to the Glittering
glamour of Santacruzan, the hidden Power and Beauty of the Cross
do stand out as do Catholics who blessed and mark themselves with
the Sign of the Cross.
Sponsored
by PASCO (Philippine American Society of Colorado) with the support
and participation of the Filipino American Community of Colorado
(FACC), Philippine Heritage Foundation of Colorado (PHF), Bayanihan
Society of Queen of Peace and other Phil-Am organizations and
individuals.
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