Santacruzan Reynas and Symbolic Figures

[gemma star]

This feast is celebrated to commemorate Queen Helena’s (Reyna Elena) search for the Holy cross and for her son Constantine, who was then a newly converted Christian emperor. The search was successful and the Holy Cross was brought back to Rome, then a joyous celebration followed. Spaniards the ones who started Christianity in the Philippines are also the ones who introduced this historical-religious pageant in our culture. And since then it was a sought after celebration because once a year, every month of May, beautiful women are selected to participate in the parade.

These beautiful ladies parade starting from the town hall and pass through main streets escorted by fine looking men and ends at the town Church. The pageant is arranged in the order of lowest to highest ranks, thus the last lady who is chosen as the Reyna Elena is the town’s fairest of them all.

These are the list of the beautiful Reyna’s and other characters in the Santacruzan parade.

1. Methuselah – This reminds people that all that glitters may end up like dust.
2. Reyna Bandera – Representing the coming Christianity.
3. Aetas – Represents the state of the country before Christianity.
4. Reyna Mora – Represents the religion before Christianity or she is a female Muslim
5. Reyna Fe – Symbolizes virtue of faith and she carries a cross
6. Reyna Esperanza - Symbolizes virtue of hope and she carries an anchor
7. Reyna Caridad - Symbolizes virtue of charity and she carries a red heart
8. Reyna Abogada – The defender of the poor and oppressed. She wears a black toga and carries a book
9. Reyna Sentenciada – Symbol of the innocents who have been convicted
10. Reyna Justicia – Symbolizes justice and she carries a weighing scale and sword
11. Reyna Judith – She carries a beheaded man. She represents Judith of Pethulia 12. who saved her city from the Assyrians.
13. Reyna Sheba – She carries a jewelry box. She represents the one who visited King Solomon.
14. Reyna Esther – She carries a scepter. She represents the biblical Jewish who saved her countrymen from death and destruction
15. Samaritana – She is the woman who spoke to Jesus at the well. She carries a jug on her shoulder
16. Veronica – The woman who wiped the face of Jesus. She carries bandana with the imprinted face of Jesus.
17. 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.
18. Ave Maria – 8 girls each one carrying a letter to spell out AVE MARIA
19. Divine Shepherdess – Carries a shepherd staff.
20. Queen of Stars – Carries a wand with stars.
21. Rosa Mystica –Carries a bouquet of roses.
22. Queen of Peace – Caries the symbol of peace.
23. Reyna de las Propetas – Carries an hourglass.
24. Queen of Heaven – Caries a flower and she has two angels.
25. Reyna de las Virgines – Carries a rosary and she has two little angels.
26. Queen of Flowers – She carries a bouquet of flowers.
27. Reyna Elena – The legendary founder of the Holy Cross. She carries a small cross and escorted by her son, Constantine.

If you’ll get a chance to see this event, you’ll see that this is a testimonial that the Filipino festivals are colorful and extravagant.