As one community, Saint Louis University (SLU) celebrated Filipino faith and heritage with this year’s staging of the Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo festival held on 14 May 2025.
The annual festival began with a liturgical ceremony at the Fr. Paul Van Parijs Event Center, SLU Main Campus with Louisian students and employees led by University President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD. Following the ceremony, the traditional procession commenced from the campus grounds through the University’s neighboring streets, including T. Alonzo Street, and Lower Bonifacio St.
Flores De Mayo or “Flowers of May” is a month-long celebration in May, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary by offering flowers, procession, and daily prayers. On the other hand, Santacruzan, which is derived from the Spanish Word “Santa Cruz” meaning “Holy Cross,” is a part of Flores De Mayo highlighted by a procession. The parade commemorates Queen Helena’s journey in her search for the true cross through a reenactment by ladies dressed in gowns, representing biblical figures.
The Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo celebration was presided by Rev. Fr. Emery Mwako Ebumea, CICM and Fr. Emanuel Enjang Pranatal, CICM. The SLU Marching Band helped in making the procession more meaningful and holy through a drum and lyre repertoire.
Aside from the University offices and representatives of each school, students and professors from Christian Faith Education (CFE) classes joined the procession, showing support and solidarity within the Louisian community.
Thereafter, Victoria Dela Cruz of Basic School Education (BEdS), the current Reyna Elena, passed the Holy Cross and Hermanidad to the next Hermana, April M. Gumnad, Associate Dean of the School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and Information Studies (SAMCIS).
Flores de Mayo gives hope and new beginnings, it is a reminder of the importance of tradition, community, and faith in shaping the Louisian and Filipino community as well as the Filipino society.
This event is among SLU’s testaments to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) as it gives importance and respect to the Filipino Catholic tradition. (Article by Ydelvess Faith Morales & Faithe Janerie Dugay, UIO Interns | Photos by Aivian Danielle Culanag, UIO Intern and Emmanuel Gregorio, UIO)
