Fil-Ams in Chicago keep PHL traditions alive

CHICAGO – Filipino-American Catholics in Chicago, Illinois are keeping Philippine traditions alive in the United States. At the end of May, Fil-Am parishioners of the St. Gregory Church in Chicago held a Santacruzan or a procession of the Holy Cross. Before the procession began on May 29, Fr. Paul Wachdorf , parish priest of St. Gregory the Great Church, presided over the Holy Mass. The parish has been holding the Santacruzan for the past 24 years. The procession has always been held outdoors but this year, heavy rains threatened to limit the procession inside the church. In the middle of the Mass, however, the rains stopped and the procession proceeded within the vicinity of the church. This year’s Reyna Elena was Mia Caitlin Isberto and her escort was Francis Micor. The Reyna Emperatriz was Maricion Gotangco Micor and her "Constantino" was Jonah Micor. Young people dressed up "angels" and "sagalas." Many of the attendees also dressed in "Barong Tagalog." The group of sponsors, called "Hermanos y Hermanas," contributed funds to cover the expenses for the event, which included a dinner of pansit, egg rolls and other Philippine delicacies and desserts. During the dinner, Angie Lariosa, vice-president of the group "The Filipinos of St. Gregory" (TFSG) introduced the Reyna Elena, Reyna Emperatriz, sagalas, angels, and the Hermanos y Hermanas. The program was emceed by Gloria Limos. Among those who performed during the program were Ramon del Rosario, Jojo Villaruel and The Villaruels and surprise guest, Ellen Balmadrid. Balmadrid will also be performing when TFSG will hold its induction of officers during the Hawaiian Dance Night on July 23 this year. The Santacruzan According to tradition, in the year 326 A.D., Empress Elena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, found the true cross that the Lord Jesus carried during his passion in Jerusalem. The feast of the Finding of the Cross later became a popular devotion that eventually evolved into today's Santacruzan. During the Spanish colonial period, Spanish missionaries brought the devotion to the Holy Cross from Europe to the Philippines. - Joseph Lariosa, VVP, GMA News