Mapping of Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage: Category: Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events

Form 4C series January 2019
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
Mapping of Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Category: Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events
NAME OF THE ELEMENT: SANTACRUZAN
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
TYPE: [ ] Social Practice [ ] Worship rites

[ ] Traditional Governance/Justice system [ ] Rites of passage
[ ] Settlement patterns [ ] Birth, wedding, funeral rituals
[ ] Cuisine/Culinary traditions [ X ] Fiesta/Festival
[ ] Traditional Games/Sport [ ] Kinship ceremonies
[ ] Other
______________
Photo
Photo Credit: Jonalyn C. Dacol (2019)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Municipality of Dagohoy
Province of Bohol
Region VII

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND RANGE OF THE ELEMENT: (Describe the place where intangible heritage is
practiced, even including the extent of the practice in neighboring areas or places)
The Municipality of Dagohoy is one of the towns in Bohol which belongs to the Diocese of Talibon.
Its mother parish is Our Lady of Lourdes consisting of the seven among fifteen barangays in the town
namely: Poblacion, La Esperanza, San Vicente, Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Cagawitan and Malitbog. The Parish
Pastoral Council (PPC) conducts events annually which can also help generate funds for the
improvement of the parish and one of these is the Santacruzan.
RELATED DOMAINS OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE: (Tick appropriate box/es.)
[ ] Performing arts
[X] Oral traditions and expressions
[ ] Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
[ ] Traditional craftsmanship
II. DESCRIPTION OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
A. Summary of the element

(Description of the history of the practice, occasion/season, processes involved, procedures, beliefs associated,
settings, aims, social functions, cultural meaning, and other pertinent data)
During Santacruzan, chosen young ladies with their respective escorts do procession on the streets with
arches colorfully decorated and designed with May flowers. Each lady is dressed in an elaborate gown
suited to the Queen that she portrays. The focus of the procession is Reyna Elena and Prince
Constantine with magnificent and blooming arches. Following them, is a large float carrying the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
Santacruzan is observed during the month of May. It is now participated in by representatives from
seven (7) chapels of Poblacion, one (1) for every other 6 barangays namely: Barangay Sta. Cruz,
Barangay San Vicente, Barangay Malitbog, Barangay Cagawitan, Barangay Candelaria, and Barangay La
Esperanza. The selection of the candidates representing each chapel depends on their members or even
the Chapel Moderators through voting or direct selection.
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Province of Bohol
Region VII

The age range of the Reyna Elena is between 18-25 years old while Prinsipe Constantino is between 8-10
years old. The chapel members will help the chosen representatives in the preparations of the activity.
Printed envelopes for each Reyna Elena and Prinsipe Constantino candidates will be distributed to any
supporter to solicit any amount which serves as fund-raising for the church’s development and
improvement.
B. Culture-bearer/s and practitioner/s of the element

(Description of person/s or people practicing the intangible heritage)
The tradition of Santacruzan every May is organized by the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) as one of the
major events in the celebration of Flores de Mayo. PPC is composed of all the religious organizations in
the parish such as : Confraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes (COLL), Parish Youth Ministry (PYM), Lay
Liturgical Ministry (LLM), Chapels belonging to the parish, etc.
C. Mode of transmission (Describe how the knowledge and skills related to the element is passed on)
Santacruzan has been passed on from generations to generations. The parish leaders composing the
Parish pastoral Council has been conducting and organizing this event every May except last 2020 due to
the COVID-19 pandemic, where in social gatherings such as this is not allowed.
D. LIST OF SIGNIFICANT TANGIBLE MOVABLE HERITAGE USED/ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT:
E. LIST OF SIGNIFICANT FLORA/FAUNA USED/ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT:
Name of Use of the flora/fauna in the

Photo
Flora/Fauna practice
Used as a decoration of the

Roses
float used in the procession
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Province of Bohol
Region VII

Name of Use of the flora/fauna in the

Photo
Flora/Fauna practice
Patikan or
Used as an ornament in
Philippine fishtail
decorating both the arches and
palm (Caryota
the floats for the procession
cumingii
(Bobbet C. Avergonzado
Used in making arches during

Bamboo
the procession of the Sagala
III. STORIES/NARRATIVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT
New set of Reyna Elena and Prinsipe Constantine represent their respected chapels each year. As a
matter of fact, the writer of this research had been one of the representatives in their chapel in 2013.
The winning Reyna Elena and Prinsipe Constantine is determined by the gathered funds from the
solicitation program wherein they are ranked from highest to lowest. The preparation of the venue is
organized by the selected program coordinator especially the Confraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Province of Bohol
Region VII

(COLL) of Dagohoy. During the time of Rev. Fr. Jose Pompei A. Solana (February 4, 2004 – July 31, 2010),
a re-enactment of the Santacruzan was done through the direction of Mrs. Virginia R. Macul, former
School Principal of Dagohoy National High, Dagohoy, Bohol and active members of the church. Due to
that re-enactment, such event had been made even more significant to the parishioners especially to
those involved.
IV. SIGNIFICANCE
Indicate type of significance, e.g. historical, aesthetic, scientific, social, socioeconomic, socio-political, spiritual and then explain
Historical
Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pageant held in many cities, towns, and even small villages
throughout the Philippines during the month of May. This custom and celebration began after the
proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Concepcion in 1854 and after the publication circa 1867
of Mariano Sevilla’s translation of the devotional Flores de Maria or Flowers of Mary. Since May is also
the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the celebration is also called Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May).
The festivity commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena and her son, the newly
converted Emperor Constantine the Great. After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought
back to Rome, there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving. (http://filcom.org/) In Our Lady of Lourdes
Parish, Dagohoy, Bohol, it had been a tradition to conduct such event every May. Coronation Night and
Procession of the Reyna Elena and Principe Constantine and other character roles portrayed by the
other chapel representatives are held. Furthermore, a re-enactment of Santacruzan was done in 2004 –
2010 when Rev. Fr. Jose Pompei “Jojo” A. Solana was the priest and it was directed by no less than the
talented former school principal of Dagohoy National High School Mrs. Virginia R. Macul (deceased).
However, such event was not held last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aesthetic
Flowers such as roses and gerbera daisies including ornamental plants like patikan and bamboo as an
indigenous material are also used in the beautification of the venue. The candidates showcase their
beautiful gowns and suits during the Coronation Night and the Procession. In the Santacruzan, chosen
young ladies with their respective escorts, procession on the streets with arches colorfully decorated
and designed with May flowers. Each lady is dressed in an elaborate gown suited to the Queen that she
portrays. The focus of the procession is Reyna Elena and Prince Constantine with magnificent and
blooming arches. Following them, is a large float carrying the Blessed Virgin Mary.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Province of Bohol
Region VII

Social
Through this event, people from different walks of life are gathered, and strengthened the camaraderie
among them to show respect to the blessed patron. During the town’s fiesta, many people from
neighboring municipalities and barangays visit Dagohoy and witness these major activities where they
enjoyed having time to mingle with the people in the municipality.
Socioeconomic
Santacruzan is socioeconomically significant since this will benefit the church and the parishioners
through the fundraising incorporated in the event for the improvement of the church. Besides,
ambulant vendors surrounding the event gain profit from this since many people are gathered in the
place during the event, thus giving them opportunity to sell local products, foods and snacks. T he church
and the parishioners benefits from this as well. The funds gathered for the event is used for the
improvement and other needs of the parish in accommodating a huge number of people.
Spiritual
Santacruzan is not only about beauty and pageantry. It is about our devotion to the Holy Cross and our
affection to the Blessed Mother. The Cross is Holy since it is the instrument of our salvation. Moreover,
this tradition is religious in nature. Chapels composing the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish show their respect
and devotion by providing representatives during the event. Applying the character roles being
portrayed by the candidates in their daily living especially the winning Reyna Elena and Prinsipe
Constantine is the most essential value inculcated in this event.
V. ASSESSMENT OF THE PRACTICE
A. CONDITION/STATUS OF THE PRACTICE
The Parish, through the Parish Pastoral Council, has made sure to conduct Santacruzan every May aside
from the Flores de Mayo. On the other hand, Santacruzan was not observed last May 2020 since there
were restrictions made by the government to avoid social gatherings such as this event to prevent the
spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
B. CONSTRAINTS/ THREATS/ ISSUES/ CHALLENGES: (Reasons for the condition/status)
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Province of Bohol
Region VII

The current pandemic hindered the parish to hold such event. Such practice may also be forgotten or
totally be extinguished if the next parish priest assigned or the new set of parish leaders will not
anymore agree to conduct such event.
C. MEASURES AND DESCRIPTION OF SAFEGUARDING MEASURES TAKEN:

Tick one or more boxes to identify the safeguarding measures that have been and are currently being
taken at the level of the community, provincial and/or national with regard to the element
[ ] transmission, particularly through formal education
[ X ] transmission, particularly through non-formal education
[ ] identification, documentation, research
[ ] preservation, protection
[ ] promotion, enhancement
[ ] revitalization
Description of Safeguarding Measures Taken:
The tradition of Santacruzan has been held by the parish through the Parish Pastoral Council supported
by all parishioners every May of each year. This practice will continue through the years if there’ll be no
more threats like Covid -19, etc.
VI. REFERENCES
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: (Tick appropriate box/es)
[ ] Audio/video recording
[ X ] Photographs and sketches
[ ] Others (e.g. Music notations etc.) __________________________
KEY INFORMANT/S:
(Include basic information on the informant’s background)
1. Mrs. Karen C. Garcia, 31 years old, Former COLL President – Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
2. Mrs. Elvira J. Casulocan, 54 years old, Former COLL President – Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
3. Mrs. Thelma J. Saguing, 47 years old, Santacruzan organizer in San Vicente, Dagohoy
4. Mr. Ramon Salingay, 61 years old, former Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Moderator, current Vice PPC
Moderator
5. Ms. Marve B. Justol, 29 years old, PYM President and COLL Member – Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Province of Bohol
Region VII

REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES:
https://tinyurl.com/ya9f6ycn
https://tinyurl.com/e98ns3k6
https://tinyurl.com/3cvujupx
https://tinyurl.com/y6eu23xb
https://tinyurl.com/4x2tu4as
https://tinyurl.com/8xd2s42
https://tinyurl.com/4ej9ycwe
https://tinyurl.com/ktcd3nvk
https://tinyurl.com/4mvpkjkf
https://tinyurl.com/2ybp23ze
NAME OF MAPPER/S: Amabelle Grace T. Jostol

DATE PROFILED: March 31, 2021

Submitted by:
AMABELLE GRACE T. JOSTOL April 5, 2021

(Full Name of Municipal Mapper) (Date)
Review and Editing
A. MUNICIPAL LEVEL
Remarks:
Reviewed/Edited by:
RYAN C. BALBAGUIO EdD April 5, 2021
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Province of Bohol
Region VII

(Full Name of Municipal Mapping Coordinator/Editor) (Date)
B. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LEVEL
Remarks:
Reviewed/Edited by:
MRS. ADELWISA B. ADAPTAR August 25, 2021
_____________________________________ ____________________
(Full Name of Congressional District Editor) (Date)
Jose C. Nazareno December 8, 2021

(Full Name of Congressional District Editor) (Date)
C. PROVINCIAL LEVEL
Remarks:
Reviewed/Edited by:
___________________________________________ ____________________
(Full Name of Provincial Editor) (Date)
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Province of Bohol
Region VII

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Form 4C series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS