Ang Flores De Mayo (Flowers of May) ay isang pistahang pang-Katoliko na ginaganap sa buwan ng Mayo. Ito ay isinasagawa in honor of the Virgin Mary. Ang Santa Cruzan naman (a.k.a. Parada ng Lechon sa ibang lugar) ay ang parada na ginaganap sa huling araw ng Flores De Mayo in honor of Reyna Elena. Siyam na araw ng novena in honor of the Holy Cross ang ginagawa bago ang Santa Cruzan. Ang kaugaliang ito ay nagmula pa sa mga Kastila na sumakop sa Pilipinas noong araw.

Ang Santa Cruzan, bukod sa parada, ay ang pag-alala sa paghahanap ng Holy Cross ni Queen Helena o Reyna Elena kasama ang kanyang anak at bagong Emperor na si Constantine. Matapos na matagpuan ang Holy Cross sa Jerusalem at madala pabalik sa Roma ay nagkaraoon ng selebrasyon at pagpapasalamat.

In the Tagalog region, this custom and celebration started after the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception 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). http://www.filipino.com.au/categ/culture/floresdemayo.htm

Narito ang pagkakasunod sunod ng mga tauhan sa parada:

1. Methuselah - he is bearded, bent with age, riding a cart looking preoccupied with toasting some grains of sand in a pan over a fire. This is a reminder that all that glitters will end up as dust like what he is toasting.

2. Reyna Banderada - a young lady dressed in a long red gown carrying a yellow triangular flag. She represents the coming 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 (feminine of Moro from the Moslem religion).

5. Reyna Fe - symbolizes the virtue of faith - the first of the theological virtues. She carries a cross.

6. Reyna Esperanza - symbolizes the virtue of hope - the second theological virtue. She carries an anchor.

7. Reyna Caridad - symbolizes the virtue of charity - the third theological virtue. She carries a red heart.

8. Reyna Abogada - the defender of the poor and the oppressed. 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. She is accompanied by two Roman soldiers.

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. She carries the head of the beheaded man on one hand and a sword on the other.

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. She carries a scepter.

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 - she carries a bottle of perfume; Mary, Mother of Christ - she carries a handkerchief; Mary, mother of James - she 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. Each one carries a letter to complete the word "AVE MARIA."

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. Sa taas ang picture ng Reyna Elena sa aming barangay this year. Nagtatago pa mahiyain kasi...anyway balik tayo sa kwento... She is escorted by her son, Constantine. The procession is followed by the steady beat of rondalla, playing and singing "Dios Te Salve". The devotees walking with the procession hold lighted candles in their hands and singing the prayer:

 
Dios Te Salve (Hail Mary)

Dios te salve Maria Llena eres de gracia El senor es contigo Bendita tu eres Entre todas las mujeres Y bendito es el fruto Y bendito es el fruto De tu vientre Jesus.

Santa Maria Madre de Dios Ruega por nosotros Pecadores ahora Y en la hora De nuestra muerte amen. Je

Matapos ang parada ay may pabitin para sa mga bata. Ang pabitin ay isang hugis parisukat na trellis (di ko alam sa tagalog eh hehe...eto ang definition--> Latticework used to support climbing plants) na kung saan ay may mga nakasabit na mga regalo, laruan, candies, prutas, junk foods, atbp. Nakasabit ito sa isang sanga ng punung-kahoy o sa isang poste na pinapataas at pinabababa sa pamamagitan ng paghila sa lubid. Ang mga bata (at isip bata) ay nagpapataasan ng pagtalon upang makakuha ng kung anuman ang nasa pabitin habang ang lakas tamang taga-hila ng lubid ay ginagawa ang lahat para mapatagal ang pabitin niya.

Taon taon ay sinusurpresa ng mga tagapangasiwa ng Santa Cruzan ang mapipiling Reyna Elena para raw mas exciting.

Moriones Festival, Marinduque, Philippines

17 Mar 2008 - 23 Mar 2008

The annual Moriones Festival is a week-long religious event that begins on Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday. It is one of the most colourful events in the Philippines and sees participants re-enact the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who, it is said, speared the crucified body of Jesus Christ. Legend has it that the blood which flowed from Christ’s body landed in Longinus’ bad eye, curing him of blindness. This miracle caused him to convert to Christianity and he was consequently hunted by his fellow centurions. This part of the story is dramatically retold by costumed participants, the Romans wearing huge painted masks depicting fearsome faces. The performances take place in various locations throughout the island of Marinduque.

• Morion means mask or visior, refer to the colorfully garbed and masked soldiers and centurions during Christ's Passion, a part of Roman armor which covers the face. Morion serves as the focal point of the Moriones festival and celebrations.

• The towns of Boac, Gasan, Santa Cruz, Buenavista and Mogpog on the island of Marinduque are the main focus during the festival.

• An interesting bit of this festival is the reverence given to a sculpture depicting the dead body of Christ (Santo Sepulcro) in which old women exchange Biblical verses as they stand in wake of the dead Christ.

• The hagiography claims that Longinus "pierced the side of Our Lord while He was hanging on the cross." So far so good. It also informs that, when blood and water poured out from the wound, Longinus said, "Indeed, this was the Son of God." Read on...

• In Philippine history, Marinduque island only played a role in 1646 when it was the site of a battle between the Spanish and an attacking Dutch force. The Spanish won. Since then and up to today, military events have spared the island and its population as even the NPA has not opened a front there.

St. Longinus is the centurion who pierced the side of Our Lord while He was hanging on the Cross. St. Longinus, who was nearly blind, was healed when some of the blood and water from Jesus fell into his eyes. It was then he exclaimed "Indeed, this was the Son of God!" [Mark 15:39]

Babala: Ang susunod na babasahin ay hindi para sa utak na bastos. Hindi po ito tungkol kay Mary Palmer o mas kilala bilang Mariang Palad sa mga Pinoy.

Palaspas kung tawagin sa ating madertang, narito ang ilang impormasyon tungkol sa Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday

Ang Palaspas o Palm Sunday ay ang ika-anim at huling Linggo ng Lent at ang umpisa ng Cuaresma o Holy Week.

Ang petsa ng Palaspas sa taong 2008 ay sa ika-16 Marso

Holy Week is the week before Easter, commemorating events in the last days of Jesus' life on Earth. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Monday.

Special Days in Holy Week.

• Palm Sunday the day Jesus arrived in Jerusalem.
• Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Last Supper and the betrayal by Judas.
• Good Friday (Holy Friday), the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ.
• Holy Saturday, the Sabbath on which Jesus rested in the grave.

Ang Palm Sunday ay oras ng selebrasyon at gayun din ng pagtangis dahil sa pagkamatay ni Hesus sa krus less than a week after he had entered Jerusalem.

What is Palm Sunday?

The Sunday before Easter is known as Palm Sunday. It celebrates Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Passover. Great crowds of people lined the streets waving palm branches to welcome him. The people were very excited. They spread branches on the road – and even laid down their clothes. They shouted 'Hosanna!' which means 'Save us Now!'

Why is it called Palm Sunday?

The Sunday before Easter is called Palm Sunday because the crowds waved palm branches as they followed Jesus' procession into Jerusalem.

Why did Jesus go to Jerusalem?

It was the time of the Jewish feast of Passover. Many Jews travelled to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast together.

What happens on Palm Sunday in the Philippines?

Ang mga katoliko ay nagdarasal ng taimtim ng kanilang pananampalataya. Nagkakaroon din ng bendisyon ng palaspas. Tayo ay nagdiriwang sa matagumpay na pagpasok ni Kristo sa Herusalem at ang pagbabalik at muling pagkabuhay nya sa lupa. Ang mga bata ay binibigyan ng krus gawa sa palm leaves (hindi masyadong sikat) habang ang iba naman ay may hawak na palaspas na gawa sa palm leaves na kanilang iwinawagayway sa hangin. Traditionally, ang mga simbahan ay mangangasiwa ng prusisyon sa palibot ng parokya habang umaawit ang mga tao at iwinawagayway nila ang palaspas nila.

Pax Cakes (sa Inglatera)

In some English churches small buns called pax cakes (symbolic of peace and goodwill) are given to the congregation as they leave after a Palm Sunday service.

What happens to any Palm crosses left over?

Any left over Palm Crosses are kept and burned to make ashes for next years Ash Wednesday services (see Ash Wednesday )

Palm Sunday Story for Kids - The King is Coming

Easter Resources for Teachers

The Panagbenga Festival is held yearly during the month of February. The celebrations are held for over a month and peak periods are the weekends. The Panagbenga Festival showcases the many floral floats and native dances. The fragrant smells that could be presently teasing olfactory senses are probably less from the now-dried flowers from Valentine's Day than air floating all the way from Baguio City. At this time of year, the City of Pines is almost surely in flower fury over Panagbenga festival, the city's biggest festival.

Panagbenga is a kankanaey term for "a season of blooming." It is also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, a homage to the beautiful flowers the city is famous for as well as a celebration of Baguio's re-establishment. Since February 1995, it has been held to help Baguio forget the 1990 earthquake that distressed much of the city.

Panagbenga festival will have spectators enjoying a multiple floral and float parades over two days. The Baguio Flower Festival Association (BFFA) will have a street dancing parade and band exhibition. The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation (BFFF), meanwhile, will hold a parade. So where should spectators be stationed to not miss any of the float and floral parades? Session Road and Burnham Park. A search for the Mr. and Ms. Baguio Flower Festival, FM Panagbenga Pop Fiesta, Skateboard competition and Dolls of Japan exhibit were added to the BFFA calendar. The festival is supported by constituents of La Trinidad, La Union, Pangasinan, Marinduque and Masbate.

Often a Cañao is an undertaken to kick-off & celebrate the occasion. A Cañao is a dance that also is regularly performed at special occasions such as fiestas. In this two-person dance, the men hang blankets usually woven with an indigenous pattern or design-over each shoulder. The woman wraps a single similar blanket around her. The man leads her and dances in a circle with a hop-skip tempo to the beat of sticks and gongs. The dance must continue until the viewers decide to honor the dancers twice with a shout of "Ooo wag, hoy! hoy!" Once this has happened, the dancers can stop. It is an honor to be invited to join the dance, and elders and other respected members of the community are expected to join in at every occasion.

Other notable events:

Bulaklak Rock Battle of the Bands at the Skating Rink; Local Arts Show at the People’s Park; Veteran Records Skateboard Competition at the Skating; Dolls of Japan Exhibit and Eiga Sai at the Baguio Convention Center Lobby; Kitefest at the Athletic Bowl.

GETTING THERE

Baguio is easy to get to by air and land transportation. From Manila, the latter is the more popular choice, although at this time of the year, it may prove to be a hassle. If you prefer to fly to the City of Pines, some airlines maintain a daily schedule of flights from Manila to Baguio and back, like Asian Spirit. If, however, you go for a four-hour joyride, there are a variety of bus companies, garage cars, and tour operators for the convenience of tourists and visitors.

HISTORY

It all began in 1995 when lawyer; Damaso E. Bangaoet, Jr., John Hay Poro Point Development Corporation (JPDC) Managing Director for Camp John Hay, offered to the Board of Directors of JPDC the idea of organizing the holding of a flower festival in Baguio City. The Board, then directed by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) Chairman Victor A. Lim and JPDC President Rogelio L. Singson, approved the project immediately. It was also decided that the Festival be held every February.

From the very start, JPDC saw itself as the maker, not the producer of the Festival. As a result, its plan was to present the idea to the different sectors of the community: government, education, business, media and civic organizations. This was not only to solicit their support, but also to gather their suggestions and ideas. Their response was generally warm and immediate, except for a few doubting Thomases. Nevertheless, the idea had fallen on fertile ground. It grew as a wellspring of community support fed resources into the project. The Baguio Flower Festival was an idea on its way to becoming a reality.

Making the idea a reality fell into the hands of the BFF Secretariat which was chaired by Attorney Bangaoet and operated by JPDC staff and volunteers led by Eric Jonathan Picart. In Addition, an advisory group of flower enthusiasts like Rebecca Domogan, Gloria Vergara, Julie Cabato, Willie Magtibay and Efren Chat was formed. They began by creating an identity for the Festival, one that would reflect the history, traditions and values of Baguio and the Cordilleras. In October 1995, the Baguio Flower Festival obtained face. Its official logo was chosen from entries to the Annual Camp John Hay Art Contest. The competition was open to elementary, high school and college students of Baguio. Its theme revolved around preserving the environment with a special importance on the flowers of the Cordillera. Instead of a complete painting, the eminent board of judges led by well-known artist BenCab chose a spray of sunflowers on the corner of the entry submitted by Trisha Tabangin, a student of the Baguio City National High School.

Shortly thereafter, a Festival hymn was composed by Professor Macario Fronda of Saint Louis University. To this music was added the rhythm and movements of the Bendian dance, an Ibaloi dance of celebration. The Bendian dance's circular movements speak of unity and harmony among members of the tribe - themes that foretell the coming together of the various sectors of the community to bring the Baguio Flower Festival to life.

Information sourced from: http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_festivals/panagbenga_festival.html

Click here for Calendar of Events of Panagbenga 2008

Pasaka Festival

...

The Pasaka Festival which runs August 1 to 15, is seen as another opportunity to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Tanauan, Leyte, where Tinikling, the national dance of the Philippines, is said to have originated.

It is during the nightly activities when the various sectors of the municipality are able to show their unity in paying homage and thanksgiving to the town's Patroness, Our Lady of the Assumption.

Showcasing the best talents and the culture and tradition of the municipality, will also ensure that the younger generations are given the chance to know the culture and tradition of their forefathers. It is only by knowing, that the younger generation will learn to love and to be proud of their roots and their cultural heritage.

Nightly cultural presentations from August 1 to 14 features the talents in the various schools, the local government unit and the non-government organizations in Tanauan.

The Pasaka Festival competition is grouped into three categories, the senior category participated in by high school students, the junior category composed of elementary pupils and the merry makers.
August 15 which has been proclaimed as Tanauan Day and at the same time the feast of the town's patroness, is focused on the religious rites, thus, the cultural presentations are scheduled only up to August 14.

Sourced from PIA

MassKara Festival

This October, Bacolod will celebrate their biggest annual event called MassKara Festival. This is a Mardi Gras-like celebration that features masked and costumed street dancers, with fairs and carnivals. This is held on the third week of October (and coincides with the city's Charter Day celebration) although this year it will be a three-week event starting October 1.

Brass band competitions, beauty pageants, the Charter Day street Party are among the events to watch out for. The climax is a colorful and joyous parade where revellers don elaborate masks and costumes and dance in the streets all over the city.

Truly, the City of Smiles has a lot to smile about as Bacolod will once again be filled with tourists and enthusiasts and will be the center of attention in the next three weeks. Our brothers and sisters from Bacolod will have the chance to show the whole country how they party and celebrate their fiesta in style!

The Masskara Festival Schedule of Activities:

October 1 - Monday Festival Opening
Food and drinks kiosks will operate until Oct. 21 (Public Plaza and SM City)
Ongoing till Oct. 31 Magica MassKara (Orange Gallery)
Oct. 13, 2007 MassKara Queen Pageant
Oct. 18, 2007 Countdown to Charter Day Street Party

Street Dancing Competition Schools category
Oct. 19, 2007 CHARTER DAY celebration
Civic Military Parade
Electric MassKara
MassKara Fantasy Costume Show

Oct. 20, 2007 Street Dancing Competition Barangay Category
Masquerade Ball
Electric MassKara
MassKara Drum Beating Contest

Oct. 21, 2007 Street Dancing Competition Open Category

Linggo ng Wika...yan ang dating tawag sa pagdiriwang ng ating Pambansang Wika. Sa ngayon ay Buwan ng Wika na ang ginagamit. Hindi lang isang linggo ang selebrasyon kundi isang buwan na! Ngayong Agosto ang Buwan ng Wika. Ayon sa Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, ang pagdiriwang ay alinsunod sa Proklamasyon bilang 1041, s.1997 na nagtatadhana sa Agosto bilang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.

Wikang Filipino Simbolo ng Kultura at Lahing Filipino : Ito ang tema ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa 2007.

Bawat linggo ay may kanya-kanyang paksang pagtutuunan ng pansin. Ang paksa sa unang linggo ng Agosto ay “Wikang Filipino: Kasangkapan sa Preserbasyon ng Kultura. Sa linggong ito idinaraos ang palatuntunan na nagpapakita ng mga tampok na kultura ng buong bansa gaya ng awit, sayaw tula at mga iba pa. Nagsasagawa rin ng eksibit na nagpapakita ng katutubong kasuotan ng iba’t ibang rehiyon na may deskripsyon na nakasulat sa orihinal na wika ng rehiyon at may salin sa Filipino.
          Sa ikalawang linggo ng Agosto, ang paksa ay Wikang Filipino: Instrumento ng Pagkakaisa at Pagkakaunawaan na tatampukan ng pangangalap at pagtatalakay ng mga kaugalian ng Pilipino. Kalakip din ang paghahanda at paggawa ng sulatin na tumatalakay sa tema sa linggong ito.
          Ang huling linggo ng buwan ay magbibigay diin sa temang “Wikang Filipino: Simbolo ng Pambansang Pagkakakilanlan. Sa panahong ito ginaganap ang talakayan hinggil sa paksa ng Buwan ng Wika. Tatampukan din ng pagdaraos ng debate sa isyu ng “Pagkakaroon ng National ID” ng mga Filipino.

Sa baba ang ilan sa mga Filipino quotes:

Ang buhay tulad ng isang awit lamang,
mayroong simula at may katapusan;
Ang araw at gabi'y
lumulungkot hirang
sa mga suliraning pinaglalabanan.
Ang ating pagkukunwari
sa buhay,
pagbabalat-kayo sa katotohanan;
Ano man ang ating maging
kapalaran,
tanging Diyos lamang
ang nakakaalam.