Sabat Santacruzan

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The Kapampángan Santacruzan: SABAT SANTACRÚZAN The Kapampangan version of the Santacruzan is different in that the procession is halted several times by costumed actors who challenge the Reina Elena in a poetic joust and engage her troop in a swordfight derived from the theater form called moro-moro, hence the name “Sabat Santacruzan” with the word … Read more

Santacruzan

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Santacruzan May is Philippine National Heritage Month! As we end the month, let’s take a look at one unique Filipino cultural heritage event that takes place during the month of May—the Santacrúzan! SANTACRÚZAN • (suhn-tuh-KROO-suhn)a Filipino pageant procession during the last day of May honoring the finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena. EtymologyFrom … Read more

Batalya

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Batalya/Batalla The May fiestas & Santacrúzan in Southern Kapampángan towns are associated with wild festive rituals to saints that originate from battle hymns between the native Kapampángan Muslims and Christians at the start of colonial rule! BATÁLYA / BATÁLLA • (buh-TAH-lyuh)a Kapampángan ethno-Catholic ritual originating from war hymns between the remaining native Kapampángan Muslims and … Read more

Sagala

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Sagala The Santacrúzan pageant is participated by women known as sagalas who are dressed in fancy Filipiniana costumes according to the roles or titles assigned to them! SAGÁLA • (suh-GAH-luh)a maiden in costume taking part in the Santacrúzan pageant of the Flores de Mayo festivalTagálog (Filipino): sagála EtymologyFrom Spanish zagala “lass, girl; shepherdess”, feminine of … Read more

Bakla

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Bakla (Bisayan, Tagalog): homosexual, gay, Queer. You may want to read: Patron God of Homosexuality Paloy Bading