Santa Elena, Noveleta
Today, May 3rd, Catholics in the town of Noveleta, Cavite celebrates the feast of the founding of the holy cross. Saint Helena, or Santa Elena in Spanish/Filipino was the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine. She was said to have found the true cross which was used to crucify Jesus Christ at Golgotha.
A colorful Filipino tradition of the Santacruzan is also based on this story of Queen Helena and the founding of the cross. Beautiful ladies parade in line wearing beautiful long gowns and are escorted by handsome gentleman in their Barong Tagalog (Filipino national costume for men). They represent different queens of legends, but the grandest of them all which is at the very end of the queue is the Reina Elena. She holds a small wooden cross (representation of the true cross), wears the grandest gown, with an arch carried by two men at the sides but escorting her is not a gentleman but a little boy who is titled as the "Constantino", respresenting Helena's son Constantine. Santacruzans are held around the country during the month of May (except this year of course where social distancing is a must)
Photo was submitted by a reader from Noveleta who wants to commemorate this important day on their town's history and faith. Happy Fiesta Noveleta!
Nice to know the history behind this feast, I never heard of it. That was nice that a reader submitted this beautiful photo. Thanks for sharing and adding to my knowledge. Have a wonderful day and weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Bill and I am glad you liked the story behind this feast. Always a pleasure my friend! May your Sunday be more awesome than this Saturday :)
DeleteHello, sounds like a beautiful celebration! The Saint Elena image is lovely. Take care, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt is Eileen, that's why one of their townspeople asked me to post this since they cannot hold it like normal this year :(
DeleteStay safe and have a happy Sunday Eileen!
...there's a lot beauty and tradition in this celebration, thanks for sharing. Take care!
ReplyDeleteThat is very true Tom :) thank you so much! Stay safe this Sunday!
DeleteHappy Santa Elena Day ~ may it be a blessed one ~ thanks ^_^
ReplyDeleteBe Well,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thank you very much Carol :) The people of Noveleta would love that :)
DeleteHappy Sunday!
this is something new to me. I wish I could retain all I learn. So much stuff to learn about through blogging...
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much Rose, I am really happy that you learn things from my blog :)
DeleteThis is unfamiliar to me, so thanks for sharing it. Happy Fiesta Noveleta!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Jeanie! I am glad you like and appreciate it :)
DeleteOh it must be a wonderful sight to see the ladies and gentlemen in their beautiful clothes SQ, how sad that it had to be cancelled. Thankfully there is always next year oui ✨
ReplyDeleteAgreed Perth
DeleteI agree my friend Grace! Those are beautiful moments especially when it's being held at night (sometimes it's held on late afternoons) but when at night, every pair is joined by people who hold torches to light up their paths and also to show the people how beautiful and dashing they look!
DeleteExcellent Brother - And Loved The 'look closely' Photo - Stay Strong Brother Man
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thank you very much my dear brother The Padre! And I am happy you like the look closely photo because it always brighten me seeing it :)
DeleteBeautiful photo Stevenson, glad someone sent it to you to post.
ReplyDeleteI know Filipinos are extremely religious and have beautiful celebrations.
Thank you very much Sami and you are right, I was surprised when the reader messaged me and was asking me to post it for his townspeople to be happy :)
DeleteYou are very right Sami :) We do take pride in our traditions :)
That is a gorgeous photo. I am glad you also shared it with us. I love seeing the differences between life in the Philippines and life in my world. I have a co-worker who came from the Philippines many many years ago and she went home 2 years ago--finally. It must have been so hard not to be able to visit her family. Then the next year her son said, I am going to take you back again. What a treat. Happy Wednesday. Sorry I have been bad but am catching up now.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing about your Filipino co-worker. I am happy that you have met somebody from my country Erika. Happy Thursday to you my dear friend and I was also not able to post last night and visit earlier because our internet went bad. Thank you very much for always being supportive of my posts :)
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