Year: 2022

The City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City Association, East Coast Chapter USA is honored to be a part of Catholic Action of Mary’s 2022 Santacruzan & Flores de Mayo. In its 44^th year, it is the longest and biggest on the East Coast held yearly at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in downtown Jersey City, New Jersey, and the festival along Manila Avenue, a well-known Filipino community.

May in the Philippines is a month of flowers and a traditional culture of the religious devotion of faith. Flores de Mayo (May Flowers) is a tribute to our Blessed Virgin Mary. A Reyna (queen) is selected to participate to highlight the gracious, obedient, pleasant, kind, and among other fine qualities of our beautiful Mother Mary. This year, REYNA DE LAS FLORES (Queen of Flowers) is proudly represented by our association’s very own secretary, LADY JAN JAUOD escorted by MATTHEW PEREZ, son of our former Sergeant-of-Arms officer, MARLON PEREZ. Lady Jan (LJ aka “Ice” as we call her) is truly honored to represent our Queen of Heaven and Earth in gratitude and praise for her protection and guidance in our life’s journey.

The Santacruzan (Holy Cross) is a historical commemoration of the discovery of the true Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine who became the first Christian Roman Emperor. The true Holy Cross is said to be the one which upon Jesus Christ was crucified. According to legend, the 75-year-old Queen found the three crosses during an expedition where she had an ailing servant lie on all three on the site of the Crucifixion which the one healing the servant deemed as the True Holy Cross.

This year, two young beautiful, and talented descendants of San Pablenos are selected to be part of this beloved historical Filipino tradition. REYNA ELENA II is represented by ADRIENNE CRIZELLE LACORTE-MERCADO escorted by her brother SEAN ANDREI LACORTE-MERCADO, grandchildren of our very efficient treasurer, CRISTINA RECIDOCRUZ. And REYNA ELENA III is represented by LARISSA NOLA FORONDA-RODRIQUEZ escorted by her brother as well, EDWIN JOSHUA FORONDA-MUERE. These young generations of Filipino descent signify the true purpose of finding the True Cross ̶the virtues of hope, charity, and faith.

Let’s not forget the other young generations who joined the procession…BRISEIS ANTONETTE FORONDA, as the prime angel of heaven, NAYELLI RAMOS FORONDA as a sagala to represent the Tower of Ivory and escorted by ANGELO MONFERO. They are also descendants of San Pablenos living in Brooklyn, New York.

In 2019, ARIANA AVANZADO-SMALLWOOD, the only daughter of the association’s former president and current Board of Directors Chairperson ALMA GRACE AVANZADO, was REYNA ELENA II. Her reign lasted until she pass on her crown in 2021. She had represented other several titles namely REYNA MYSTICA at the Fiesta in America’s Santacruzan, and REYNA DE LA FE (Queen of Faith) at this year’s Landas ng Kabalanan in celebration of the 500^th Year of Evangelization of the Philippines at the Sacred Heart Basilica in Newark, NJ. All of these are made possible as she wants to serve and support the Catholic Action of Mary.

These young Filipinos are born and raised here in America. Seeing all of them embracing our Filipino tradition of faith is so wonderful and a magnificent blessing. Their families and friends proudly gathered together to witness their participation. They bonded and built friendships among each other as well as their parents. The Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo is a religious event that our community should continue to nurture and cherish. It enriches our culture. It is a wonderful gift to our young generations. Thank you Catholic Action of Mary for all your devotion and dedication to keeping this tradition alive and continually celebrated every year! Mabuhay!