The Santacruzan Season has already started! Here in Limay, the Santacruzan is quite extra-ordinary, and it’s called “Pagbubunyi”. It’s a yearly event organized by the Limay Tourism Council.
What makes it different from the rest is that it literally dramatizes how the Santacruzan originated more than 1600 years ago, in celebration of the triumph of Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor, and his mother Helena in the search of the Holy Cross. It begins with a play that starts at the municipal grounds and ends with a battle for the Holy Cross at the market grounds.
After the play, the procession begins with Roman flag bearers and soldiers with Constantine on a chariot. Then followed by muslim captives of Constantine. The procession also includes Roman gods and demi-gods of Roman Mythology, which was their religion before Constantine converted the Roman Empire to Christianity. Then followed by Biblical and symbolic characters like Methuselah, San Macario, Samaritana, Veronica, Reyna Infante and Judith (with the head of one of her adversaries), Reyna Sheba, Reyna Esther, Reyna Baderada, Reyna Justicia, Reyna delos Angeles, Reyna del Mar, Reyna dela Paz, Reyna del Sol, and Reyna delos Flores, ( I hope I did not miss one) all with complete costumes. Even the arch bearers have their own costumes. At the end is Reyna Emperatriz (Constantine’s Wife), Reyna Elena, and finally the carriage of the replica of the Holy Cross.
Pagbubunyi was featured in 2007 in the GMA 7 News. Herewith is the link:
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/7096/Pinagmulan-ng-Santacruzan
Today, the Santacruzan has gradually lost its significance and has become a parade of beauties rather than a procession for the devotees to pay homage to the Holy Cross. Being chosen as the Reyna Elena becomes more of a prestige to beautiful women, as this is like winning a grand beauty pageant. It has also become a parade of beautiful and expensive gowns where costumes have become immaterial. Some have added male escorts (who are actually insignificant) as essential characters in the parade. And if organizers have enough funding, they would get famous actresses even sexy stars to pose as Reyna Elena to attract more attention from onlookers.
Herewith are pictures of the parade, happy viewing!
Mr. Hwarang Gimo, I can very well relate to your story about the origins of the Santacruzan. My grandma actually hails from Orani, Bataan. My Grandpa said they were retreating throught the mountains when he fell flat on his belly. There were already three of them when he got up - My Grandma, my grandpa and their first child. That started the Famero Family.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, santacruzan of Limay is quite refreshing. History unfolds right in our very own eyes. Too bad I can only see these through your blog.
Really? I thought your roots are purely from Romblon. What was your grandma's maiden name? My mother hails from Orani, she can still recall surnames of big families in Orani.
ReplyDeleteI made a little research from relatives. Orani was one of the places where some of my grandma's brothers lived, but her family, the Bayno Family are from Abucay.
ReplyDeleteYou should ask Doc Santos (FTS'brother), his wife is from Abucay.
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