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| Photo by Jeric Jarical Photography |
by
Susan Palmes-Dennis
SIXTEEN-year-old
Sophia Escobal was chosen the Reyna Elena (Queen Elena) for this
year's Flores de Mayo event here in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Statuesque
at 5'8, Sophie looked regal as she glided through the social hall of
St. Matthews Catholic Church. With Cyrus A. Antonio as her escort
Emperor Constantine, Sophie was warmly received by the more than 400
parishioners in attendance.
Sophie
is the daughter of Fil-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC)
representative Robert Escobal. He and Matthew Antone were the ark
bearers during the event.
The
ark was decked with beautiful flowers in keeping with the event's
name, Spanish for Flowers of May. It is a beautiful tradition
celebrated by Filipino communities during May, a month filled with
fiestas.
This
tradition was introduced by the Spaniards in the Philippines
centuries ago and remains a part of the country's Filipino culture.
This celebration is part of the Flores de Maria, which is dedicated
to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Santacruzan
is the highlight of the celebration and it's held at the end of the
month. Over the years there are changes to the celebration though the
spirit is there.
Elder
Fil-Americans see to it that they pass this tradition to the next
generation.
“It's
a devotion to Mama Mary actually,” Nena Amigo, one of the
organizers, said.
Amigo
said a Fil-American named Homer de Leon started the Flores de Mayo
celebration at the St. Matthews Church here in Charlotte due to the
space and it had become an annual tradition since.
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| Photo by Jeric Jarical Photography |
Amigo
said since de Leon got sick she and her husband Paul Amigo, who's
also a past president of the FACC continued what de Leon started.
This
year the Flores de Mayo is sponsored by the FACC and incumbent FACC
president Malette Aquino Oliveros welcomed everyone to the occasion
while Dominican sister Sr. Edeva Jover gave the invocation.
The
audience waited for the parish priest of St. Matthew to give his
message for the day. Alexis and CJ Riley led the singing of the Star
Spangled Banner anthem while Rommel Olarte, lead singer of the Dust
N' D' Attic band led the singing of the Philippine anthem “Lupang
Hinirang.”
The
marshals were Nicolas Escobal and John Paul Escobal while Simon
Oliveros was the standard bearer. Asia Antone,Nicole Santero and
Kaitlyn Ronquillo stood as Mary’s Three Joys.
The
Seven Virtues were represented by Hanna Asibal (Faith), Stephanie
Bunao (Hope), Francine Castillo (Charity), Sharon Bounds (Prudence),
Grayson Siplon (Justice), Casse Bunao (Fortitude) and Miel Mantecon
(Temperance).
The 12
stars were Kate Asibal (Source of our Joy), Nicole Jarical (Mystical
Rose), Alyssa Abalos (Morning star), Corine Olarte (Gate of Heaven),
Maria Olarte (Ark of the Covenant), Raine Antonio (Tower of Ivory),
Noelle Escobal (Queen of the Apostles), Nina Kasingal (Queen of the
Prophets), Giselle Pagunuran (Queen of Virgins), Alexis Riley (Queen
of Peace) and Cazandra Riley (Reyna de los Angeles).
The
students of Eskwelahang Munti (Little Schoolhouse) under the tutelage
of Gloria Grifenhagen and Dr. Nini Bautista also made quite an
impression with their performance of the Filipino song “Magtanim Ay
Di Biro (Planting Rice Is Never Fun) clad in the native Filipino
native clothing.
Towards
the middle of the program flowers were brought to the foot of the
statue of the Virgin Mary by both young and adult faithful alike.
On
hand to receive the flowers were Dr. Nini Bautista, the global Pinoy
par excellence who helped marshal the groups along with Dr. Oliveros
to make the event a success.
After
the prayers and the offering to the Blessed Virgin, Leah Castaneda
Anastacio led the audience in singing the songs “Ave Maria” and
“Amazing Grace.”
“An
Ode to Virgin Mary” written by Ron Beltran was recited by Dr. Ben
Lorenzo.
FACC
1st VP Dr. Mike Borja and his wife, FACC public relations officer
Tracy Borja emceed the event.
The
program ended with the procession inside the hall after which dinner
was served to all present.
In a
post at the FACC Facebook page Dr. Oliveros has this to say: “To
all FACC members and non members...thank you so much for all your
help and support for the Flores de Mayo event, also to all
volunteers, all rosary groups, participants and parents of our 2014
Santacruzan, thank you! To 2014 FACC officers and representatives, I
appreciate all the hard work you've done for today's successful
event. Maraming Salamat.”
Other
FACC Officers like Lota Mascarenas,Terry Laabid, MJ Maturan and
Robert Escobal and those who weren't around like Luisa Castaneda and
Blessel Arcamo Butler were present in spirit. To everyone who
attended I can only say Viva Mama Mary!
(Susan
Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City,
Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a
nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and
discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas. Visit and read
her website at www.susanpalmes-dennis.simplesite.com. Read her blogs
on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com. These and other
articles also appear at
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
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| Photo by Jeric Jarical Photography |
You
can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)
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