PhiLIPPINE HERITAGE MONTH 2010 part 4 SANTACRUZAN @ INTRAMUROS

The Philippines is rich in tradition handed down by our ancestors. Festivals are part of the Filipino culture which are largely influenced by Spanish religious practices. Some festivals are in honor of a patron saint or major events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Filipinos love fiestas. They are celebrated all-year round. Visitors, both local and tourists, are always welcome to celebrate the festivities which are special occasions for Filipinos to extend their hospitality and friendship.

All over the country, especially in the summer months, May is the merriest time of all. It is the season of colorful festivals and Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan is one such festival. Another festival to watch out for is the Lucban Festival in the province of Quezon.

The Santacruzan is a big event for many towns. Traditionally, it is a way to give thanks to God and to the Virgin Mary for the rains that begin to bless the land and cause the flowers to bloom. But the central event of the festival is the procession of religious statues. For Filipinos, there is no limit to expressing their utmost devotion to the Mother of God. During this month of May, petitions and prayers have more chances of being answered.

PHILIPPINE HERITAGE MONTH 2010 part 3 " Saludo de la Virgen de los Desamparados "

Philippine Heritage Month 2010 brings us to one of the most important landmark in the district of Santa Ana, Manila,  Nuestra Senora de los  Desamparados or Our Lady of the Abandoned. Better known today as the Santa Ana Church. The church is a living testament to the rich history of the Philippines.

It is one of the oldest church outside the walled city of Intramuros. This church was built in 1720 by Fr. Vicente Ingles who was a parish priest there at that time. It was also Fr. Ingles who brought the image to the church of Our Lady of the Abandoned.

PHILIPPINE HERITAGE MONTH 2010 part 2 " the LIVING MUSEUM "

The Philippine Heritage Month was established on August 11, 2003 with President Gloria M. Arroyo " declaring the month of May of every year as National Heritage Month. " The event is in recognition of the need to create consciousness among the Filipino people, to respect and pride ourselves for the legacies of the Filipino cultural history and love of one's country..

" Nothing can break the Filipino faith. It's the one thing that keeps us going despite the many adversities we encounter ". These were the words of Filipino Heritage Festival director Bambi Harper said at the launching of the 2010 Philippine Heritage Month. Harper said that this year's theme will be " the gift of faith ", it is timely since the Philippines have suffered a lot of disasters in the previous year, the most disastrous one were the two big typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng that left a lot of people homeless.

PHILIPPINE HERITAGE MONTH 2010 opens " VIVA INTRAMUROS "

The Filipino Heritage Festival spearheaded by Bambi Harper, Armita Rufino and Chichi Salas formally opened the Philippine Heritage Month last night with a thanksgiving mass at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila. It was officiated by Archisbishop Jesus Dosado of Ozamis. The mass kicks off a month long fiesta of specially chosen activities dwelling on the rich heritage of the Philippines and its filipino people.