PATI BA NAMAN ANG SOURVINIR GIFT… DRAWING KO RIN????

2days ago, nagcanvass na ako ng mga gagamitin ko para sa souvenirs gift ko para sa mga sponsor ko. So niready ko na sya.. un pambili ko.. ready na.. very sad to say.. dahil inuna ko ang emote ko sa someone special ko.. hindi ko ito nagawa. As in nasaraduhan ako ng national bookstore, kaya hindi rin ako nakabili dahil wala ako sa wisyo mamili at ayoko magsisi sa bibilhin ko kasi magsasara na nga un store.. hay sana magawa ko na to.. sa lalong medaling panahon….

The day before the Opening of Flowers offering

5/1/2012 12:24:59 AM

                Take note 12:24:59 am at ilan oras na lang ay magpapaalay na kami para sa Mahal na Virhen Maria. Kanina, syempre aware na ang lahat na may meeting for the preparation ng paalay. Ang side altar, and tarpaulin at mga kakailanganin para sa opening ng paalay. so medyo, nadagdagan kami. Ang dating apat ngaun at almost 10 na. Before that, nag 3 days praying of rosary kami. Actually kahapon lang ako nakaattend at kanina late na ako dumating. Kala ko start na un pag-aayos nila. Nagmadali pa naman ako makarating at baka nahihirapan na sila mag-ayos. Madami na din kami sa wakas but so sad to said, walang nangyari. As in wala… ngaun lang nagkita, ngaun lang nagplano. Ngaun ay rush na rush. Hindi naming makakabit ang tarpaulin kasi nagsiraan un pinagawaan namin ng print output sa wed pa sya makukuha. Un side altar, ang ganda ng drawing namin wala pla kami gagamitin dahil hindi pa pala kami nakakagawa ng letter of request. Haizt, MAHAL NA VIRHEN NG FLORES.. PLEASE HELP US….

virhen delas flores

Funny photo effects

Young Catholic Social Circle (YOCASOCI)

Young Catholic people who share similar interests and/or Catholic beliefs, who meet and enjoy fun events. Comprising a group of young individuals who serve God through their constant devotion to Mama Mary, Young Catholic Social Circle of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pasig City continues to live to the tradition amidst modern urban lifestyles. Towards our centennial anniversary in 2014, the members of the group grow together learning of the long-lived tradition of honoring our Mother thru prayers and flower offerings, the so-called Paalay and Patapos...

Different members and presidents came and have gone in this group, whether from well-known / well-opted families or from the simple residents of Pasig City...but the common goal never ceases...

YOCASOCI - One with God through Mary….

Flores De Mayo (Flowers of May)

'Santacruzan' - The Queen of May

Article by: © Ruby Bayan 2012

Stop and smell the roses. During the month of May, in the tropical islands of the Philippines (where my roots are), we don't have to stop -- the fragrance of flowers floats in the air.

When the rains begin to pour after a long dry spell, flowers magically bloom overnight. And being predominantly Catholic, the Filipinos celebrate the beneficial rains by giving praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The townfolk gather the colorful flowers to decorate the Parish Church altars and aisles. They bundle the blooms in exotic arrangements for the many different festivities all together referred to as the "Flores De Mayo" (Flowers of May).

Many towns celebrate Flores De Mayo with the community congregating in the afternoons to pray the rosary, offer flowers to the Virgin Mary, and share homemade delicacies and snacks. Children and adults wearing their Sunday best, sing and dance to welcome the rains that will water the new crops.

In many parishes, these afternoon festivities culminate in an elaborate procession to the Church where an evening mass is celebrated. The procession is called "Santacruzan" (Festival of the Holy Cross), a commemoration of the finding of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.

The townfolk choose pretty young ladies to represent the various characters of the commemoration: the "Accolades of Our Lady". Each one is dressed in an exquisite, colorful gown, looking as regal as the Reina (Queen) she portrays. Reina Fe (Faith), Reina Esperanza (Hope), Reina Caridad (Charity), Reina Mora (Muslim), Reina Banderada (Flag), and Reina Justicia (Justice) walk with their consorts under hand-carried bamboo arches decked with color-themed native flowers.

The highlight of the procession is the magestic Reina Elena (Queen Helena) who walks with her consort, Prinsipe Constantino, under a huge canopy of May flowers. Immediately behind her is a float carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by a brass band that lends the festive sounds to the procession.

As the pageant moves along the streets, devotees holding lit candles follow, and join in the rosary, novena, and songs of praise. Oftentimes, after the evening Mass, the town Mayor hosts a dinner party to cap the celebrations.

This Filipino tradition ("The Queen of May Festivities"), introduced by the Spanish conquerors, is more than 100 years old and lives on even in Europe and America. Filipino Communities and Associations all over the world celebrate the Santacruzan with the same pageantry and glamor as the townfolk in their homeland.

Filipino-Americans in New Orleans maintain the tradition courtesy of The Franzuela Family. In Europe, the Euro-Santacruzan is hosted by The Filipino Community in Belgium.

In the month of May, Filipinos don't need to stop to smell the flowers. The fragrance of sampaguitas (Philippines' National Flower), kalachuchis, roses and other blooms, floats in the air.

The Splendor of the Church: IS FLORES DE MAYO BIBLICAL?

The Splendor of the Church: IS FLORES DE MAYO BIBLICAL?

The Solicitation Letter is now begun…

Last Saturday, april 14, 2012 the yocasoci had a meeting in ICC (Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral) in Pasig for the progress of incoming of The Paalay and Patapos 2012 (Flower Offerings and The Grand Procession 2012).

                As a help for the Presidente and Presidenta, I Finally got my solicitation letter. Hay, oras na ng kapalan ng face… It’s very hard for me to asking a favor to my officemates and friends.  We are now having finding funds for the start of Paalay. We had many plans we want to happen during the first day of Paalay. Mahirap maghanap ng generous people, When they see the solicitation letter, I expect they reaction? “Parang Ayaw nila at napipilitan.” Ganun tlga, mahirap magbitaw ng konting barya. I don’t know what they think about me.. beside, this is not for me or for the group… it’s all for the expenses of the upcoming event for this may 2012.

                We talk about how, and what we will do... pero mahirap tlga magplano ng konti-konti. But we hope that we will make it. Their still a lot of issue to solve. Mahirap talaga pagkanya-kanya.. but one of the ex-pres told us, “ ITULOY NYO YAN, KAHIT KONTI LANG KAU” Maybe she believe that we are under the guidance of Our Virgin Mary. And I believe that, kahit pasaway ang presidente namin, at he think that we still want him to be the presidente of YOCASOCI, I know that Virhen Delas Flores want you to be her servant forever. We pray he will make it. Dahil ang tagumpay NILA ay Tagumpay ng Grupo.

Virhen Delas Flores, Please Pray for US.