Karylle, Zsa Zsa Padilla lead heritage group’s ‘Santa Cruz de Mayo’

Zsa Zsa (left) and Karylle. Image: Din Eugenio of Filipino-Japanese Journal

The mother-and-daughter tandem of Zsa Zsa Padilla and Karylle will lead the “sagalas” or religious procession, that will take part in the “Santa Cruz de Mayo” in May, an event organized by the Philippine Heritage Society (PHS) for the first time.

“Santa Cruz de Mayo” takes after the “santacruzan,” the culmination of the month-long religious festival called “Flores de Mayo” in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This tradition dates back to the Spanish colonial times where women,  representing key women figures of the bible, paraded along the streets in their gowns and frocks until they reach the church.

Padilla will be Reyna Emperatriz, while Karylle will be Reyna Elena. Reigning Miss Supranational Alethea Ambrosio, main winner of The Miss Philippines Culture and Heritage Celebration, will also be part of the ensemble of beauties that will walk in the procession.

Zsa Zsa Padilla and Karylle appear on the poster of Santa Cruz de Mayo./PHILIPPINE HERITAGE SOCIETY IMAGE

PHS announced its first mounting of the “santacruzan” at a press conference held at Admiral Hotel in Manila on April 29. Kate Bellosillo, the society’s president, said she got Padilla and Karylle on board through her daughter.

“Karylle is the best friend of my daughter, and family friend. So, we go, ‘we can ask her if she can be the Reyna Elena, and then her mom can be the Reyna Emperatriz.’ And they graciously accepted the invitation,” the PHS president shared.

“When we were talking about this, there was a suggestion that we have to invite high profile personalities to add value, to attract more audience to our Santa Cruz de Mayo,” Bellosillo continued.

Philippine Heritage Society President Kate Bellosillo (left) with consultant Armita Rufino (center) and founder Tess Castro/ARMIN P. ADINA

She said Karylle’s social media presence will be able to help achieve this. “Karylle has a dedicated videographer who will follow her throughout the procession so that they can post in real-time about what’s happening. I think that’s very important also for our reach,” Bellosillo said.

PHS Creative Director Nathan De Leon also explained the difference between the “santacruzan” and the “Flores de Mayo,” both held in May, and involving a procession of ladies. “Flores de Mayo is a month-long event in May. It honors the Virgin Mary. And during this time, there are special prayers and offerings of flowers. ‘Santacruzan’ is an event that takes place at the end of Flores de Mayo,” he said.

The Santacruzan, he added, “is celebrating the story of Queen Helena of Constantinople,” of how she recovered  the cross believed to be the one that Jesus Christ carried and was crucified on.

Designer Lito Perez presents some of his creations./ARMIN P. ADINA

The Santa Cruz de Mayo will be held on May 19 in Intramuros, Manila, and will start at around 5 P.M. at Fort Santiago. Designer Lito Perez will create the costumes that the sagalas will wear to the procession.

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