Bottom left photo: Chargé d’affaires Pono (center) with Fr. Tranquilino Ocampo, SVD, and Vice Consul Malasig at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Berlin
Filipinos in three of Germany’s major cities, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg staged the traditional Santacruzan procession on May 27, the last Sunday of the month.
The festivities featured Filipinos representing historical and mythical figures dressed in Filipiniana finery and other colorful costumes parading along the streets of German cities with arches decked with flowers.
The procession commemorates the finding of the true cross by Empress Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. According to Christian tradition, the event paved the way for the Christianization of the Roman Empire, especially Europe. It is traditional held in late May as part of the month Flores de Mayo.
Top left photo: Consul Torres (extreme right) and Vice Consul Chieng (second from right) at the Kleiner Michel Church in Hamburg
In her remarks at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Berlin, Embassy Chargé d’affaires Lillibeth V. Pono emphasized that aside from its religious significance, the Santacruzan is also important to Filipinos because it is part of the nation’s rich cultural heritage. She also encouraged Filipinos to pass on the tradition to future generations of Filipinos in Germany.
Top right photo: Tourism Representative Valdes at the St. Ignatius Church in Frankfurt.
The Embassy was represented in Berlin by Ms. Pono and Vice Consul Alvin Malasig, and at the Kleiner Michel Church in Hamburg by Consul Catherine Torres and Vice Consul Maricris Chieng. Tourism Representative Margarita Patricia Valdes attended the festivities at the St. Ignatius Church in Frankfurt. END
