Sunday, May 23, 2010

Santacruzan 2010

My niece Melisa
Melisa - as Reyna del Cielo (Queen of Heaven) she carries flowers and has two Angels








Santacruzan 2010 (May 22, 2010)

The Santacruzan is a popular religious festival held in many towns and cities throughout the Philippines as the highlight of the month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo during the month of May. It is usually celebrated with a parade of decorated floats and elaborately dressed characters, representing various aspects of the Virgin Mary and other figures. The festival was introduced to the country during the Spanish period and continues to be celebrated by Filipinos all over the world.

Flores, from Spanish flores or "flowers," also known as Flores de Mayo (flowers of May), Flores de Maria (flowers of Mary) or alay (offering), may refer to the whole Flower Festival celebrated in the month of May in tribute to the Virgin Mary . The Santacruzan was a novena procession remembering St. Helena's mythical finding of the cross. St. Helena was the mother of Constantine the Great. According to legends, 300 years after the death of Christ, at the age of 75, she went to Calvary to conduct a search for the Cross. After some archeological diggings at the site of the Crucifixion, she unearthed three crosses. She tested each one by making a sick servant lie on all three. The cross where the servant recovered was identified as Christ's. St. Helena's feast day falls on August 8 but the anniversary of the finding of the Cross is on May 3rd, in the Philippines, this celebration took the form of the Mexican Santa Cruz de Mayo.










Sunday, May 16, 2010

19th Year Anniversary

Webcam shots
L-I-F-E is the greatest Gift from GOD

Today is my 19th year anniversary as cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with peri-ampullary cancer in 1991 and had whipple surgery in May 16, 1991.

When I passed the 5-year marker for this type of cancer I rejoiced and my doctor told me to celebrate. The journey is not over yet. I looked at life through new eyes now and I take pleasure in the little things in life. I appreciate life and value my relationship

Above all I thank GOD and Mother Mary for my second life.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. -- Washington Irving (1783-1859)
I love you Nay. Happy Mother's Day to one and all.

Blood Moon

I captured this Super Blood Moon last January 2018 from our balcony.