Brgy 43-B Quarry has won the major prizes, including Reyna Elena's title and the Grand Champion of the Grand Santacruzan in Tacloban City. Photo: Tacloban City Tourism Office/Facebook |
TACLOBAN CITY – Graceful queens with their escorts, religious artifacts, and decorated arches once again graced the streets of Tacloban City during a procession honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary despite the bad weather.
On Monday, May 30, 2022, devotees of the Blessed Virgin in the Grand Santacruzan and five contingents barangay celebrated the religious event, which culminated the month-long Flores de Mayo celebration in the City.
On Monday, May 30, 2022, devotees of the Blessed Virgin in the Grand Santacruzan and five contingents barangay celebrated the religious event, which culminated the month-long Flores de Mayo celebration in the City.
According to the City Tourism Operations Office, five barangay contingents took part in the event, which was postponed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's Grand Santacruzan included the barangays of 43-B Quarry, 99 Diit, 85 San Jose, 65 Paseo de Legaspi, and 39 Calvary Hill.
Ms. Fritzee Zel Pajares of Brgy 43-B Quarry was crowned Reyna Elena 2022 and received a P8,000.00 cash prize. Ms. Annalyn Balasanos of Brgy 99 Diit was awarded P3,000, while Ms. Ella Shane R. Cordial of Brgy 85 San Jose was awarded P6,000.
The Grand Champion of the Grand Santacruzan 2022 was Brgy 43-B Quarry, which received a cash prize of P40,000; the First Runner-Up was Brgy 85 San Jose, which received P30,000.00. The runner-up, Brgy 65 Paseo De Legazpi, was awarded P20,000.00. Brgy 39 Calvary Hill and Brgy 99 Diit placed third and fourth, respectively, and received P15,000.00 and P10,000.00.
In addition, Brgy 43-B Quarry won the awards for Best Arch, Best Lantern, Most Participating Barangay, and Most Disciplined Barangay.
Santacruzan is a prominent religious event held in many Philippine villages and cities to culminate the month-long Flores de Mayo celebration. It refers to a flower procession held in May to commemorate the fabled event in which Queen Helena, Constantine the Great's mother, searched for the Holy Cross on which Jesus was crucified. —itacloban