TABUK CITY, Kalinga – After more than thirty years, the St. Joseph Parish of Dagupan, Tabuk has revived the beloved Santacruzan tradition, with a grand procession held on May 31, 2025, marking the culmination of the month-long Flores de Mayo celebration.
The event was spearheaded by the St. Joseph Pastoral Council with the participation of the various gimongs (parish communities) and was organized by the Knights of Columbus Zubieta Council and the Apostleship of Prayer.
Santacruzan, a religious-historical procession introduced during the Spanish colonial era, honors the search for the True Cross by Saint Helena (Reyna Elena), mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.
Over time, the event has evolved into a vibrant expression of Filipino faith and cultural identity.
According to tradition, Saint Helena found three crosses at Calvary.
The True Cross was identified when a sick servant was miraculously healed after touching one of them, a story that remains central to Catholic teachings and is symbolically re-enacted through Santacruzan.
The revived celebration featured a colorful parade of sagalas young women dressed in elaborate gowns and ornate crowns, portraying various biblical and historical figures.
Reyna Elena herself led the procession, holding a cross and accompanied by children, marching bands, and floral arches that transformed the streets into a spectacle of devotion and beauty.
Jandel Taguiam, District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus T-19, expressed deep personal joy at the event’s return.
“The last time I saw and participated in a Santacruzan, I was just a little child,” he shared. “Now, I feel proud to watch my own children take part in the same tradition.”
Taguiam emphasized that beyond its visual appeal, the Santacruzan serves as a reaffirmation of faith.
“By recreating the journey of Reyna Elena, we’re not just putting on a show, we’re reconnecting with our beliefs and strengthening our commitment to God.”
In addition to the procession, the celebration also featured side events such as a choir singing competition and a quiz bee, further engaging parishioners in community and faith. By Edward Joseph Gacuya
