First Time Visit to Asbury Park in New Jersey on May 2010

"Flores de Mayo" at the Philippine Consulate, New York

CHECK THIS YEAR'S FLORES DE MAYO SCHEDULE AT THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE IN NEW YORK IN THIS LINK. Thank you!




Well, I hope this posting works out clearly here, given the changes on Picasa which I was discovering only now as I included pictures I took using my celfone camera. I wanted to share here last-minute pictures I took during this year's Flores de Mayo at the Philippine Consulate in New York, which definitely turned out to be very well attended.

Tonight's attendance's easily double than last year, indicating how people have become more strongly aware and more interested in this annual event being managed by "The Catholic Fellowship of Young Filipino Professionals." It's to the credit of all volunteers who have worked hard to deliver something worthy of sharing here, and being proud of, given usual thoughts about events like this for those who may have seen it all. Other than the expected crowds who are from the Philippine community, there were those who showed up from other communities, whose presence contributed much to make this event more exciting to observe. It's not anymore a small affair, as many might have dismissed it to be (they have surely missed not attending this one!). It's become one of those events that's meant to be attended to every year, and helped with to become bigger each year.

Flores de Mayo is actually one of the biggest community events, a Marian event at that, which happens in the Philippines every May, traditionally, as a definite influence brought about by Hispanic presence for 300 years in an emerging and fast-emerging developing country that people need to know as the farthest post of the Spanish Empire up to late 19th century (but was briefly, for 50 years, part of the USA). In this year's event, the second floor hall witnessed participants in their best representative native attires (not usually worn everyday as "street attire"), and recalls to mind the romance, the accompanying anxiety and drama of the whole event. May is a month in the Philippines where the first rainfall is considered "sanctified" and healing for those who'd decide to take shower as the rainfall happens outside.

The procession in the Consulate Hall's not exactly, as admittedly, the most spectacular, especially if you've witnessed something more grand and festive back in the Philippine archipelago. But what was presented reminded everyone of how it was back in the Mother country. It's always one of those opportunities for the best looking young ladies to don the most fabulous attires and be seen by everyone curious and envious, as they step and do their dainty walk on the streets where they would usually work it out without creating much fuss but showing much grace and elegance amidst all the gawking stares. To be even considered as one of those sagala's (or those invited to join the procession representing a saint or another religious character) is a great honor that signifies you're definitely someone worth looking at by the crowds.

But, we need to remember (and be strongly reminded), that this annual event is in commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary's (BVM) very courageous stance to carry Jesus in her womb, as God's incarnation on earth, and subsequently give birth to the Savior. The whole event is very loaded with religious overtones, hoping to make people aware of the significance of the events by the lives of those women who are represented by present day volunteers doing the walk on the streets. Flowers are usually seen abundant, overflowing, and very much seen all through out. In this year's event, this happened again, as the Mass was celebrated, and participated in by most everyone tonight. The San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir sang wonderfully during the mass, heightening its seriousness for everyone.

I remember in my childhood being herded by our fussy elders, mostly women, to the Church to offer flowers to the BVM --- this is part of the same event that happens on May every year. Children, also, have great roles to play during this month. During the mass at the second floor, I noticed how the floor was covered by rose petals. At the start of the event, there was nothing on the statue of the BVM, but towards the end, the statue's bedecked and surrounded by flowers, twigs, branches arranged beautifully.

After the mass, Filipino food was served at the ground floor, where participants/attendees had all the chance to mill around and do networking. Lumpia, San Miguel Beer (also Hong Kong's number 1 beer!)'s Red Horse and Pale Pilsen, Pancit Palabok, Embotido, Litson, Pandesal, Fruit Salad, Empanada, Leche Flan were easily among the food items that I noted, were served, and enjoyed sumptuously by everyone. Cultural notes, and small chats were exchanged and flowed around.

"Here's looking forward to the event next year! May a much grander Flores de Mayo happen in 2012."

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