Over the years, because of the love of Filipinos for innovation and creativity, their passion

for splendor and the spectacular, this religious pageantry evolved into an unrestrained display

of biblical figures, characters of beauty, purity and fancy, and symbols of attributes to the Virgin Mary.

The Santacruzan has always been an attractive force in the villages in the country. Beautiful

town belles are selected to participate in this colourful pageant parade. The little children

attract the most attention with their grace, charm and innocence. This is the night when the

peasant child gets to be equal with the landlord’s child as they both march side by side as

“sagalas” or muses. The children who are non-participants also get their own thrill with the

“pabitin” which is a bamboo trellis, filled with toys and treats, which they try to reach to bring

down the goodies. Amidst all the grandeur, only the lighted candles of the non-participants

and solemn singing of “Dios Te Salve” preserve the religious atmosphere of the entire presentation.

CUSTOMS

Young women are chosen from among the townspeople to represent the various

characters in the parade. Each is carried on a bamboo arch and escorted by a

young man. The highlight of the parade is Reyna Elena, representing St. Helena

whose discovery of the cross is commemorated by this feast. She is escorted by

Prinsipe Constantino, under a canopy of flowers. The floats are accompanied by

a brass band. Occasionally, movie and TV stars and other celebrities join in and

are featured as major sagalas and escorts.

Devotees follow the parade, holding lit candles, reciting the rosary and singing

songs of praise. After the evening mass, the town mayor hosts a dinner party.

According to popular legend, St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great,

went to Calvary 300 years after Christ's death to search for Christ's cross.

At the site of the crucifixion, she unearthed three crosses, and had her sick

servant lie down on each one. Upon touching one of the three, the servant

was cured; this cross was determined to be Christ's. The anniversary of this

discovery is traditionally celebrated on May 3rd.

In the Tagalog region, the custom of the Santacruzan celebration started

sometime after the Immaculate Conception of Mary was declared official

dogma in 1854, and after the publication circa 1867 of Mariano Sevilla's

translation of the devotional Flores de Maria or Mariquit na Bulaclac na

sa Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buan nang Mayo ay Inihahandog nang

manga Devoto cay Maria Santisima (The Flowers of Mary or the

Beautiful Flowers that in the Meditations During the Whole Month

of May are Offered by Devotees to Mary the Holiest).

During Spanish times, parish priests would choose hermanas or sponsors

from the daughters of wealthy families. These women would shoulder the

expenses, plan the festival and decorate the church as well as the caroza

which would be used in the procession.