Pasyon
Pasyon
Pasyon
The festivity commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena
(Reina Elena) and her son, the newly converted emperor Constantine. After
the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to rome, there
was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving.
Nine days of prayer (a novena) in honor of the Holy Cross precedes the
Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan. This festival was introduced by the
Spaniards in the Philippines and has since become part of Filipino
traditions identified with youth, love and romance.
In urban areas, there are developed versions of the senakulo that run
for only one or two hours. They may be presented in different types of
locale: on the traditional stage, on the streets, in a chapel, or out in
the open. Comedy, courtship, and special effects may be
incorporated. Furthermore, modern senakulos tend to focus not on
Christ’s submissiveness, but on his reason and resolve in
courageously standing up for the unfortunate against their
oppressors, suggesting how current problems may be resolved.