By Ronald Constantino
CRISTINA AND GINA – The merry month of May is associated with Santa Cruz de Mayo (commonly known as the Santacruzan), the Flores de Mayo and sweet and juicy mangoes. These May memories also come to mind.
The late director Gil Portes recalled that during a shoot for “Class of ‘91” in a fast food chain, Cristina Gonzales asked permission to be released early as she was attending a santacruzan in Caloocan. Permission granted. Kring went to the ladies’ room to powder her nose. When she came out after 20 or so minutes, everyone was stunned. It turned out that Kring changed to her santacruzan gown, crown included. She was a living Barbie Doll, a sight to behold. The crowd couldn’t help but applaud.
Gina Alajar agreed to be a Reyna Elena in an out-of-town santacruzan… for a song upon the request of a friend. Turned out the affair was more marathon than procession. The route covered two towns. Gina had to grin and bear it while in high heels and formal gown, smiling and waving at the people who lined the streets. But then the hosts gifted her with “tons” of alimango, sugpo, bangus, and mangoes.
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ONLY ONE QUEEN – At a star-studded santacruzan, everyone wanted to be Reyna Elena. More accurately, the managers of all the actresses involved did. It was suggested that there be Reyna Elena 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and so on.
The person in charge of the event put his foot down. There would be only one queen of the night, the most senior star, who remained quiet and uncomplaining all along. All the rest would be sagalas… and those who refused could pack up and go home. All behaved and agreed.
Of course there’s only one Reyna Elena or Emperatriz Elena in any santacruzan. The May festival commemorates the search for the Cross, where Jesus Christ was nailed to, by Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine.
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IN HONOR OF – Flores de Mayo is in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the offering of flowers. It can be a simple rite, like young girls gathering flowers in the neighborhood and putting them at the foot of the Blessed Mother’s statue. In my town in Quezon, Unisan, it’s called bulaklakan. Or an elaborate event – almost like a fashion show – with titles like Reyna de las Flores (and Cielos and Angeles) and Rosa Mistica, Bella Filipina.
There’s also the Mayohan which starts with a prayer and ends in a dance, participated in mostly by young men and women. Jason Paul Laxama wrote and directed an indie titled, well, “Mayohan,” his first film. It was top-billed by Lovi Poe, giving her a best actress award.
