Flores de Mayo

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Flores de Mayo

Santacruzan held during Flores de Mayo

Observed by Philippines

Type Religious/Cultural

Significance May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Celebrations Santacruzan

Frequency Annual

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. It honours the finding of the True
Cross by Helena of Constantinople (known as Reyna
Elena) and Constantine the Great. Its connection with May
stems from the May 3 date of Roodmas, which Pope John
XXIII deleted in the 1960s due to the trend at the time to
abolish holy days that were either duplicates or dedicated
to ahistorical saints. The Feast of the Exaltation of the
Cross on September 14, which commemorates the
recovery of the relic by Emperor Heraclius from the
Persians instead of the finding by Saint Helena combines
that occasion with Roodmas in the present General Roman
Calendar.[citation needed]
Etymology[edit]
The name of the festival is derived from the Spanish
language word flores meaning "flowers." Other names are
"Flores de María" ("Flowers of Mary") and "Álay"
(Filipino for "offering").

In the Bicolandia[edit]
In the Bicol Region, the ritual begins with the recitation of
the rosary, and the last day is simply called the "katapusan"
which is marked with a Mass, a Santacruzan and
procession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The traditional "Martía" with its respective meaning is said
after the recitation of the Salve Regina in Spanish and
the Litany of Loreto. After the ceremony, simple snacks are
given to the children who attended the
devotion. Alabasyón (from the Spanish for "praising") is the
term for prayers sung in honour of the Holy Cross.
In Western and in some parts of Eastern
Visayas[edit]
The towns particularly in Iloilo has their
respective puroks or streets and the barangays which has
their respective chapel or house of prayer or even in the
church where an image of the Virgin Mary is venerated and
children gathers to have a simple catechism and teachings
about the life and story of Mary, history of Marian
apparitions, Christian doctrines and values, holistic values
and virtues and other life's teachings. They were also
taught some prayers and some songs uniquely recited only
during the Flores de Mayo and the children offer some
flowers before the image of the Virgin Mary as a symbol of
love, affection and veneration. This is a commemoration
and reminiscent of the Our Lady of Fatima apparition to the
three children which first took place on May 13 in 1917.
After a while, they were offered some snacks.
Some churches and areas are giving children some paper
tickets for actively participating and doing well during the
catechism in which at the end of the month of May which
also coincides with the end of the Flores de Mayo, the
children redeem the value of the tickets which are school
supplies ready for the school opening. Until 2019, this was
in June, the supplies are brought currently in August or
September beginning 2020, depending on the date set by
the Department of Education. With the switch of the
calendar, the paper ticket tradition among these children
also mark one of the final salvos of the school year.
Santacruzan is usually held during the last few days of May
to coincide with the end of the catechism for children.
In the Katagalugan[edit]
Amongst the Tagalog people, the custom began after the
proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate
Conception in 1854 and after the circa 1867 publication of
 Mariano Sevilla's translation of the
devotional "Flores de María" ("Flowers
of Mary"), also known by its longer title
"Mariquít na Bulaclac nasa
Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buannang
Mayo ay Inihahandog nañg mañga
Devoto cay María Santísima"
("Beautiful Flowers that in the
Meditations in the Whole Month of May
are Presented by Devotees to Mary
Most Holy").
One famous May tradition in Batangas (particularly in Lipa)
is the Luglugan, or nightly devotion and party honouring the
Virgin Mary. Held in structures called tuklóng, devotees
offer flowers and prayers to an image of Mary every night.
After the prayer, the Hermanos or Hermanas for the day
will give away treats to the participants, followed by the
party. The Luglugan lasts for a month until
the Tapusan ("ending") which is marked with a Mass, a
Santacruzan and procession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and capped with a final Luglugan that lasts until the
following morning.
The Santacruzan[edit]
Santacruzan
A Santacruzan 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 True Cross by Queen Helena,
mother of Constantine the Great. Many movie and
television personalities participate in the events and are
featured in major santacruzan. This festival became part of
Filipino traditions identified with youth, love, and romance.
A replica of the True Cross in solemn procession during
the Flores de Mayo in Noveleta, Cavite
Prior to the Santacruzan, a novena is held in honour of the
Holy Cross. The procession itself commemorates the
search of the Holy Cross by Reyna Elena and her son,
Emperor Constantine. It is said to have roots in the joyous
thanksgiving celebrations that followed the finding of the
Holy Cross in Jerusalem and
its translation to Constantinople (now Istanbul).
General order of the procession[edit]
The participants of this procession would follow this typical
arrangement:


The Cross or the Image of Saint Helena with the

Cross is used for Santa Cruzan, while the Image of
Blessed Mother is used for Flores de Mayo that is
the distinction of the two festivals but some
organizers mixed the two festivals together in one
celebration, Flores and Santa Cruzan.
Additional titles (Pamayanan or communities)[edit]
Each figure in this group refers to a Marian apparition,
popular title (unless mentioned below) or Marian dogma.
1. Pamayanan Inmaculada - She is the representation of
the Immaculate Conception, principal protectress of
the republic. Also known as "Pamayanang Caysaysay"
because of the related title Our Lady of Caysasay.
2. Pamayanan La Naval - She is the representation
of Our Lady of the Rosary. Often, she carries a rosary.
 She is included in the Santacruzan because of her title
Queen of the Holy Rosary, and because of the
miraculous story of the victory of the Catholics over the
Turkish Muslims in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7,
1571, and the Victory of the Filipinos and Spaniards
over the Dutch on the Battle of La Naval de
Manila from March 15, 1646 - October 4, 1646. Also
known as "Pamayanang Manaoag" and "Pamayanang
Piat" because of the related titles Our Lady of
Manaoag and Our Lady of Piat.
3. Pamayanan Asunción - She is the representation of
the Assumption of Mary.
4. Pamayanan Del Carmen - She is the representation
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel who appeared to
Saint Simon Stock in Mount Carmel in Israel on July
16, 1251. She carries the scapular of Mount Carmel.
She is the first ever title in the Santacruzan, named
after Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who kept the promise
of the Brown scapular, saying "Whosoever dies, vested
in this scapular, shall never suffer fires of hell". Also
known in Cebu as "Pamayanang La Limpia".
5. Pamayanan Dela Paz - She is the representation
of Our Lady of Peace. She carries a dove and is
included in the Santacruzan Because of her sister title,
Queen of Peace. She is also known as "Pamayanang
EDSA" in honour of the EDSA Shrine and the historic
EDSA Revolution and "Pamanayang Antipolo"
because of the related title Our Lady of Peace and
Good Voyage.
6. Pamayanan Fatima - She is the representation of Our
Lady of Fatima who appeared to three children
of Fátima, Portugal, namely The Ss. Francisco and
Jacinta Marto, and the venerable Sister Lúcia on May
 13, 1917. She carries a rosary or wears a crucifix
necklace.
7. Pamayanan Lourdes - She is the representation of Our
Lady of Lourdes who appeared to Saint Bernadette
Soubirous on February 11, 1858. She carries a large
rosary.
8. Pamayanang Guadalupe - She is the representation
of Our Lady of Guadalupe who Appeared to Saint Juan
Diego on December 9, 1531. Often, her outfit includes
native designs as she is the country's secondary
patroness.
9. Pamayanang Pena de Francia/Peñafrancia - She
represents Our Lady of Peñafrancia who appeared to
Simón Vela on May 13, 1434 and whose devotion in
the country dates from 1712. She is Patroness of the
Bicol Region and its one of the oldest devotions in the
nation.
10. Pamayanang Perpetual Help/Prompto Soccoro -
She represents Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Indirectly
she honours the icon of Our Lady of Prompt Succor of
Binondo, one of the first Marian devotions in the
Philippines and a popular title among the Filipino-
Chinese in Manila's Binondo district.
Biblical and Historical Figures, with Traditional
Personifications[edit]

1. Matusalén (Methuselah) – He is bearded and bent with

age, he rides a cart and is preoccupied
with toasting grains of sand in a pan over a fire. It is an
allegory of the transience of the world, which will be
like the dust he is toasting.
2. Reina Banderada (Queen with a Banner) – She is a
young lady dressed in a long red gown, bearing a
 yellow and/or white pennant or preferably, the Flag of
Vatican City. She represents the arrival of Christianity
in the Philippines.
3. Reina Aeta (Queen Aeta) – She is the representation
of the dark-skinned indigenous peoples of the
Philippines such as the Aeta and Ati.
These aboriginal groups predate the ancestors of
today's majority Austronesian Filipinos by tens of
thousands of years. She Carries the Philippine Flag.
4. Reina Mora (Queen Moor) – She is the representation
of the Muslim Filipinos, who are concentrated
in Mindanao and large cities such
as Manila. Islam arrived in the archipelago two
centuries before Christianity, and is now the country's
second-largest religion. Mary is also honoured in
Islam, and her story is found in the 19th sura (chapter)
of the Qur'an. The usual outfit is a design inspired by
the Muslim communities of Mindanao.
5. Reina de Saba/Reina Sheba (Queen of Sheba) – She
is the representation of the unnamed queen who
visited King Solomon, and was overwhelmed with his
wisdom, power, and riches. She carries a jewelry box.
She is included in the Santacruzan because
the Legenda Aurea describes how she venerated the
beam of a bridge she was crossing, prophesying the
wood's future role as part of the True Cross.
6. Rut y Noemi/Reina Ruth and Reina
Naomi (Ruth and Naomi) – She is the Moabite convert
to Judaism together with her mother-in-law, from whom
she was inseparable. Ruth is an ancestress of King
David, and is one of four women listed in
the genealogies of Jesus in the Gospels
of Matthew and Luke. These Roles Can Be Together
 Portrayed by One Participant or Separately Portrayed
by Two Participants for Each Role.
7. Reina Judith (Queen Judith) – She is the
representation of the Biblical widow Judith of Bethulia,
who saved her city from the Assyrians by beheading
their brutal general Holofernes. Also titled "Infanta"
('Princess') Judith, she carries the Severed Head of
Holofernes in one hand and a sword with(out) the Stain
of Blood in the other.
8. Reina Esther (Queen Esther) – She is the Jewish
queen of Persia, who spared the Jewish people from
the genocidal plot at the hands of Haman through
timely intervention with her husband, King Xerxes. She
carries a sceptre.
9. Cleopatra – She is the representation of Cleopatra VII
Philopator (69-30 BC), the last
active pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Her male escort is
often understood to represent the Roman senator and
general Mark Antony (83-30 BC). If applicable, her
usual dress would be modeled on those of Egyptian
designs.
10. (Reina) Samaritana/Santa Photina (The Female
Samaritan) – She is the Samaritan woman at the
well (traditionally named Photini) with whom Christ
conversed about the Water of Life. She carries a water
jug on her shoulder.
11. Santa Verónica/Reina Verónica – She is
the woman who wiped the face of Jesus who bears
her Veil; in traditional Hispanic-Filipino iconography,
the cloth bears three miraculous blood imprints of
the Holy Face of Jesus instead of one.
12. Tres Marías (Three Marys) – Each Mary holds a
unique attribute associated with the Entombment of
Christ:
1. Santa María Magdalena/Reina María
Magdalena (Mary Magdalene) – She bears a
perfume bottle as Catholic tradition once conflated
her with Mary of Bethany as the woman
who anointed and wiped Jesus' feet. Bottle or not,
the role also celebrates her as "Apostle to the
Apostles" as declared by the Catholic Church in
2016 for her role in the Resurrection.
2. Santa María Cleofe/Reina María Cleofe (Mary, the
mother of James, wife of Clopas) – She bears a
whisk broom, as tradition holds she swept the Holy
Sepulchre before Christ was laid in it.
3. Santa María Salome/Reina María Salome (Mary
Salome) – She bears a thurible or oil bottle,
pointing to her role as a Myrrhbearer.
13. Reina Fé (Queen Faith) – She is the symbol of
Faith, the first theological virtue. She carries a cross or
crucifix.
14. Reina Esperanza (Queen Hope) – She is the
symbol of Hope, the second theological virtue. She
carries an anchor.
15. Reina Caridad (Queen Charity) – She is the
symbol of Charity, the third theological virtue. She
carries a red heart or the image of the Sacred Heart.
16. Reina Sentenciada (Queen Convicted) – She has
her hands bound with a rope or chains of iron. She is
the representation of the Early Christians, particularly
virgins, who were persecuted and martyred for the
 Faith. She is sometimes escorted by two Roman
soldiers.
Marian titles[edit]
Each figure in this group refers to a title of the Virgin Mary
in the Litany of Loreto, or to a figure associated with her.
They are preceded by adolescent or adult ladies dressed in
white ball gown as angels, each holding a letter of
the Angelical salutation Ave Maria.
1. Reina Abogada (Queen Advocate/Lawyer) – She is the
defender of those who are poor and those who are
oppressed, she wears a black mortarboard cap
and graduation gown, and carries a large book. Her
appearance is a representation of Mary, Help
(Advocate) of Christians. Some processions add
the Reina Doctora ("Queen Doctor") as another title
connected with a degree-holding profession, and may
allude to the title "Mary, Health of the Sick".
2. Reina Justícia (Queen Justice) – She is a
personification of the title "Mirror of Justice" (Speculum
Iustitiæ), her attributes are a Scale of Justice and a
sword.
3. Divina Pastora (Divine Shepherdess) – She bears
a shepherd's crook or an image of the lamb or
young Sheep. She is the Representation of the Care of
Jesus Christ to the Flock of Christians.
4. Reina de los Ángeles (Queen of the Angels) – She
bears a bouquet or garland of white and/or colored
flowers, and is escorted by adolescent or adult ladies
dressed in white ball gown.
5. Luklukan ng Karunungan/Asiento de la Sabiduría (Seat
of Wisdom) – She carries the Bible, and represents
Mary as Sedes Sapientiæ.
6. Susì ng Langit/Clavé del Cielo (Key of Heaven) – She
bears two keys, one gold and the other silver, adapted
from the Papal arms. It is Also a Representation of the
Title "Porta Coeli" ("Gate of Heaven") where Mary
Welcomes Mankind to the Kingdom of God.
7. Reina de las Estrellas (Queen of the Stars) – She
holds a wand or baston topped with a star. It can be
taken as an allusion to the title Stella Maris ("Star of
the Sea"), where Mary has been invoked by sailors for
her protection.
8. Rosa Mística (Mystical Rose) – She bears a bouquet
or garland of roses, a single rose, or preferably,
the Barra Alta. She is the Representation of the Crown
of Roses Given to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
9. Pusò ni María/Corazón de María (Heart of Mary) – She
is the Representation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
She holds a pink heart or the image of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary.
10. Reina del Santísimo Rosario (Queen of the Most
Holy Rosary) – She carries a large rosary, symbol of
Devotion to Mary. The Philippines is Also
Called Pueblo Amante de María or People in the Love
of Mary Because of their Devotion to Our Lady.
11. Reina Luna (Queen Moon) – She is the
representation of the moon, the footstool of Mary as
the Woman of the Apocalypse. She carries a wand or
baston topped with the crescent moon.
12. Reina Candelaria (Queen of Candles) – She
carries a long, lit taper, symbolising the Purification of
Mary, or sometimes, the Menorah, symbol of Judaism,
with Seven Small candles, representing Seven
Sacraments, Seven Virtues or Seven Gifts of the Holy
Spirit.
13. Reina de la Paz (Queen of Peace) – She carries
a dove, symbol of World Peace or the Holy Spirit, real
or otherwise.
14. Reina de los Patriarcas (Queen of Patriarchs) –
She bears a wooden rod or staff, symbol of Authority
or Superiority. The Patriarchs are the Ancestors of the
Israelites Who Lived Serving God.
15. Reina de los Profetas (Queen of Prophets) – she
holds an hourglass or Clock, symbol of the Time:
the Past, the Present, and the Future. Mary's title as
Queen of Prophets is in remembrance of the fact that
she is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy on the "Son
born of the Virgin to be named Emmanuel, God with
Us", on her part as the mother of Jesus, as well as of
the other words of the prophets of the Old Testament
regarding Jesus, and of God's words to Eve in the
Garden of Eden that He will "put enmity between the
serpent and the woman, one shall soon strike at the
heel of the snake".
16. Reina de los Confesores (Queen of Confessors) –
she holds a scroll, whether open or closed, or a purple
candle, symbol of confession, one of the Seven
Sacraments.
17. Reina de los Mártires (Queen of Martyrs) – she
bears the Crown of Thorns or a pierced heart, as a
second representation of the Mater Dolorosa. She is
the Representation of the Martyrs who faced death for
the Sake of their Faith.
18. Reina de los Apóstoles (Queen of Apostles) – she
holds the Palm of Martyrdom, symbol of triumph of
Apostles and Martyrs who chose death for the sake of
their faith rather than renunciation of the Christian faith,
and also in remembrance of her companionship with
 Jesus' Apostles during his public ministry and in the
period following his Passion.
19. Reina de los Santos (Queen of Saints) – She bears
a golden wreath, symbol of the Crown of the Saints;
often accompanied by two ladies dressed in white ball
gown.
20. Reina del Cielo (Queen of Heaven) – She holds a
flower; often accompanied by two ladies dressed in
white ball gown.
21. Reina de las Vírgenes (Queen of Virgins) – She
carries a rosary or lily, the latter signifying chastity;
also escorted by two ladies dressed in white ball gown.
Prominent titles[edit]
1. Reina de las Flores (Queen of Flowers) – She is The
Queen of the Flores de Mayo. She walks under an arch
festooned with the blossoms of flowers and She carries a
grand bouquet of flowers.
2. Reina Elena (Queen Helena) – She is the
Representation of Saint Helena herself, whose the symbol
of the finding of the True Cross is the cross or crucifix that
she bears in her arms. This considerably prestigious role is
often awarded to the most beautiful girl or most important
matron in the pageant. Some communities keep the
identity of the chosen Reina Elena a closely guarded
secret, revealing her identity at the Santacruzan itself.
Other places are more accommodating, allowing three
women to be Reina Elena.
 Constantino - the escort of Reina Elena, representing
her son, Constantine the Great (272 – 337 AD).
Despite the Emperor having been an adult when his
mother found the True Cross, this role is almost
 always played by a young male or even an
adolescent or adult male in princely or royal garment.
3. Reina Emperatríz (Queen Empress) – She is always
the last member of the procession, a representation of
Saint Helena of Constantinople, specifically her
title Augusta ('empress' or 'queen mother'), which she
received from Constantine in 325 AD. It is Quite Wise to
Take Note That It is Best to Omit the Title Reina
Emperatriz Because Having So Will Duplicate the
Representation of Saint Helena in the Procession. A
Belief Commonly Held As to The Origin of the Two Titles
Existing is the Possibility of Two Women Wanting to
Portray The Most Important Role in the Procession, Thus
Creating the Title Reina Emperatriz.
The procession is accompanied by the steady beat of a
local brass band, playing and singing the Dios te
salve (the Spanish version of the Hail Mary). Devotees
bear lighted candles and sing the prayer as they walk.
Due to modernization and unavailability of the brass
band, It is sometimes accompanied by a speaker truck
playing trending songs from the app TikTok or from the
app Spotify. It is customary for males participating in the
Santacruzan to wear traditional Barong Tagalog or
Sometimes, Suits or Tuxedos, while females wear any
Filipiniana-inspired dress or Sometimes, Renaissance-
inspired or Baroque-Inspired Queen's Dress.