Leyte Travel Philippines

A Santacruzan, a religious-historical gorgeousness pageant held in numerous cities, towns and even small villages all through the Philippines during the month of May. One of the most vibrant May-time festivals in the Philippines which portrays the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.

Flores, from Spanish flores or “flowers,” also known as Flores de Mayo (flowers of May), Flores de Maria (flowers of Mary) or alay (offering), may refer to the whole Flower Festival celebrated in the month of May in honor of the Virgin Mary.

This colorful pageant parade is arranged in this order:
1. Methuselah - he is bearded, bent with age, riding a cart looking distant with toasting some grains of sand in a pan over a fire.
2. Reyna Banderada - a young lady dressed in a long red gown carrying a yellow triangular flag. She represents the upcoming of Christianity.
3. Aetas - represent the state of the country before the coming of Christianity. These are the unconverted Filipino pagans.
4. Reyna Mora - represents the dominant religion before Christianity
5. Reyna Fe - symbolizes the asset of faith - the first of the theological virtues. She carries a cross.
6. Reyna Esperanza - symbolizes the asset of hope - the second theological virtue. She carries an anchor.
7. Reyna Caridad - symbolizes the asset of charity - the third theological virtue. She carries a red heart.
8. Reyna Abogada - the protector of the poor and the browbeaten. She wears a black graduation cap (toga) and gown and she carries a big book.
9. Reyna Sentenciada - has her slim hands bound by a rope. She is the symbol of the innocents who have been convicted.
10. Reyna Justicia - a personification of the “mirror of justice”. She carries a weighing scale and a sword.
11. Reyna Judith - representing Judith of Pethulia who saved her city from the Assyrians after she beheaded the cruel holoferns.
12. Reyna Sheba - who visited the famed King Solomon and was overwhelmed by his wisdom, power and richess. She carries a jewelry box.
13. Reyna Esther - the biblical Jewish who spared her countrymen from death and destruction through timely intervention with the King Xerxes.
14. Samaritana - the woman who Christ spoke to at the well. She carries a jug on her shoulder.
15. Veronica - the woman who wiped the face of Jesus. She carries a bandana imprinted with the three faces of Jesus.
16. Tres Marias: Mary of Magdala-carries a bottle of perfume; Mary, Mother of Christ - carries a handkerchief; Mary, mother of James - carries a bottle of oil.
17. Marian - celebrating the many titles of the Virgin Mary.
a. A-v-e–M-a-r-i-a — represented by eight (8) girls all Wearing long white dressess with wings to make them look like angels.
b. Divina pastora (Divine Shepherdess) - she carries a shepherdess’ staff.
c. Reyna de las Estrellas (Queen of Stars) - she carries a wand with a star.
d. Rosa Mystica - she carries a bouquet of roses.
e. Reyna Paz (queen of peace) - she carries the symbol of peace.
f. Reyna de las Propetas - she carries a hour glass.
g. Reyna del Cielo (Queen of Heaven) she carries a flower. She has two (2) angels.
h. Reyna de las Virgines - she carries a rosary and is surrounded by two (2) little angels.
i. Reyna de las Flores (Queen of Flowers) - she carries a bouquet of flowers.
18. Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) - the legendary founder of the true Cross, represented by the small cross she carries. She is escorted by her son, Constantine.