Our memory of Philippines summers always includes the Marian march of queens and their retinue of consorts and angels, a tradition still observed with much fanfare on both sides of the Pacific and the continent. Wherever there is a community of Filipinos, there is a Fiesta and a Santacruzan. It is no different in this year's Philippine Fiesta which features the grandest Santacruzan in the region with traditional sagalas, arch bearers, escorts, angels, flag bearers, and flower girls.
Introduced by the Spaniards centuries ago, Santacruzan is the dazzling culmination of the colorful Flower Festival of the Philippines. It depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, and the joyful celebration that followed.
This year’s Hermano Mayor is Ben Ileto and his wife Lou Ileto is the Hermana Mayor. Some of this year’s participants in Santacruzan are: Denise Cintron, Reyna Elena; Pearl Lanez, Reyna de las Flores; Ria Martin, Reyna de las Estrellas; Kay Ashley Manuel, Reyna de las Angeles; Stephanie Suyhogo, Reyna del Sol; Meriden Villanueva, Reyna Luna; Jessica Tiglao, Reyna Judith; Marla Villanueva, Reyna Ester; Annaliza Beltran, Reyna Sheba; Genna Basalatan, Reyna Mora; Luchie Vivas Changco and Annelyn Florez as Emperatriz.
A mass will be celebrated on Sunday, August 15 at 10 pm, before the Santacruzan, officiated by Rev. Fr. Juancho de Leon. This year’s choir is the Filipino Choir of Essex (FCE) with Conductor: Carlo Padua. Mass Chairpersons are M. Rhodora Lyness, and Virgie P. Wilcox, and Eucharistic Minister is Vicky Rey.
The Philippine Fiesta in America has become an annual summer destination for Filipino-Americans. This year, Philippine Fiesta in America will open its doors on August 15 & 16, 2009 at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. To sponsor, exhibit, advertise or purchase tickets, please contact 212 682-6610, e-mail at
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or visit www.philippinefiesta.com. See the TV commercial on youtube- keyword: Kim Chiu Fiesta.
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