The Reynas in Santacruzan

Dear mouse,

May is the month of celebration of the festival of festivals, the Santacuzan.

Have you ever wondered who these colorful characters are in this procession of beautiful women who are mostly movie stars or noted personalities if not gays.

First the Reynas and other ladies:

1.Reina Banderada, - a lady usually dressed in a long red gown carrying a a miniature Philippine flag.

2. Reina Mora, dressed in a Muslim costume, representing Muslim Filipinos- the dominant religion before Christianity .

3. Reina Fe (Faith) - symbolizes the virtue of faith, the first of the theological virtues. She carries a cross.

4. Reina Esperanza (Hope)-symbolizes the virtue of hope, the second theological virtue. She carries an anchor.

Reina Caridad (Charity)-symbolizes the virtue of charity - the third theological virtue. She carries a red heart.

5. Abogada, dressed in a graduation toga, she represents the defender of the poor and the oppressed.She carries a big book.

6. Reina Sentenciada, with her hands bound, she is the symbol of the innocents who have been convicted. She is accompanied by two Roman soldiers.

7. Reina Justicia, carrying a weighing scale and a sword,she personifies Justice.

8. Samaritana, carrying a jug on her shoulders, representing the Samaritan whom Christ spoke to at the well.

9. Reina Judith-she represents the woman who saved her city from the Assyrians. She carries the head of the beheaded man on one hand and a sword on the other.

10. Reina Esther, the biblical Jewish woman who spared her country from destruction through intervention with the King Xerxes. She carries a scepter.

11. Queen Sheba,-the queen who visited King Solomon, famous for his wisdom, power, and riches. She carries a jewelry box.

12. Veronica - the woman who wiped the face of Jesus. She carries a bandana imprinted with the three faces of Jesus.

13. Tres Marias: Mary of Magdala - she carries a bottle of perfume; Mary, Mother of Christ - she carries a handkerchief; Mary, mother of James - she carries a bottle of oil.

12. Reina Elena , walking under a canopy and with the small Constantino at her side, she represents the mother of King Constantine who looked for the Holy Cross of JEsus Christ.

Methuselah is the first character that is riding in a cart where he toast grains of sand in pan over a fire.

At the end of the proocession is the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Ca t