The blaring sound of the siren makes Filipino families thrilled.
It provokes them to halt everything they were doing and to suddenly rush outside to witness the forthcoming festivities. Empty streets get instantly filled with children whose minds are visibly curious, excited, and cheerful enough, and as bright as the yellow lights and gigantic flowery floats starting to pave their way.
Indeed, all of the people are everywhere. It is the month of May, honoring St. Helena through an exquisite, elegant, and enchanting Santacruzan procession.
Since then, the Santacruzan has been a traditional Biblical reenactment. Yet, this procession is slowly becoming modernized—from gowns and dresses, arches and floats, even the presentation of the cultural personifications of the Biblical figures and Marian titles.
Do you still believe that Santacruzan remains to be traditional? Or is it already the start of the unintended urge of a beauty pageant?
Santacruzan in Generation Alpha
Diving into the sense of the current Santacruzan and comparing it with the previous years, there were evident changes. Considering that we are in the modern era, it is also expected that the Santacruzan has developed.
In the years of this traditional practice, changes were needed to continue and entice the audience progressively. The grand float and arches are creative, making an impression on the Filipinos that there is something to look forward to.
Marielle Santos, a third-year Tourism and Hospitality Management student at the University of Santo Tomas, explained the differences between the past and present Santacruzan.
“Noon, simple lang. Hindi masyadong magarbo. Ngayon, pa-bonggahan na ang suot,” she remarks, pertaining to the eye-catching gowns of Reyna Elena in Santacruzan.
Undeniably, Filipinos have been waiting for the women in Santacruzan, considering it takes weeks of preparation only for a single day.
With Marielle’s experience—from being asked to join, as well as being appointed by the Sub-Parish Pastoral Council (SPPC), to her mom being the hermana mayor of Flores de Mayo, she was cheery enough as she could have this memory to treasure in the future.
“Masaya na isa ka sa mga napipili pero mahirap din kasi ikaw [ang] gagastos ng gown at makeup mo.”
Social media platforms also became a way to connect and engage a wide range of audiences. This also gives opportunities for each family to participate in Sagala, as they should be reminded of this spiritual celebration. After all, it is the primary objective of this tradition.
Depiction of Beauty in Santacruzan
As people say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
The standard of beauty has no and donot have limits. There is no certain existence of what is beautiful or not.
The truth is, it is people who create the concept of beauty standards–from skin complexion, facial features, to the extent of their height.
Noticing all its details in sagala, women’s hair is carefully and neatly done, glam that silently teases, accessories are chosen carefully as if it were the final touches that will complete their look, and of course, their pompous gown that makes the audience drop their jaw.
Every single thing is fine and extra.
So, who would not have their breath taken away?
But in reality, considering the experience of Marielle, she perceived the accurate depiction of beauty in Santacruzan, portrayed by women and the people around them.
“In reality, madalas na kinukuha lang ay ‘yung maganda at payat. Siguro dahil ni-re-represent nila ay santo, na parang kailangan mala-anghel ang hitsura… Mas mayroon silang pakialam kapag Reyna from Elena ka. Like, ikaw palagi ‘yung inaalalayan at saka priority. Palaging ikaw ang pinapansin pero kapag ‘yung hindi Reyna Elena, parang ‘di masyadong special ang treatment [nila].”
Reality has spoken–beauty allows you to be a priority.
Reyna Elenas are given the attention they need, rightfully so, but still, do we not need equal treatment for all women without basing upon their titles or even the beauty standard created in their minds?
If we are going to look into this, there is a definition of beauty imposed in this religious activity that makes it relevant. No wonder there is no single woman in Santacruzan who is completely plain because, behind that, it is the societal norm that built the concept that a woman should at least present herself at her best of best.
Beauty standards are just a societal conception and idea that leads women to achieve something, to present themselves based on something, and to be who they are based on society's expectations.
The beauty in this religious activity remains, as does the essence of every woman who has beauty on their own.
Religious celebration or a beauty contest?
Grace, poise, and elegance—are colloquial perspectives for upholding strict beauty criteria in selecting participants for Santacruzan. Beauty, a subjective concept and portable in personal preference, can vary significantly from person to person.
Shaped by a variety of aspects–cultural, historical and social norms frequently discerned in civilized communities and cultural standards, which are beyond unquestionable to affect how people perceive and value the sensibility of human art and how these factors may help to mold in a particular group, or society views the thing called beauty.
“To be honest, hindi na siya all about religious aspect. Nagiging focused na siya sa mga kababaihang sumasagala kasi roon na nag-fo-focus ang mga tao, lalo na sa mga bonggang gowns nito. Sa dulo, inaabangan na ng mga tao ay ‘yung mga Reyna Elena, hindi na ang mga santo,” Marielle stated.
Audiences wait for the women more than the saints. Just like waiting for contestants in a beauty contest and being amused by how they look or flaunt their dress.
So considering this, does the feeling of Santacruzan still give that sense of a religious celebration, or a beauty contest instead?
With that, the staged concept of Reyna Elena and the sagalas is not only about judging their attractiveness as if it was a competition.
Whereas they should be presenting the symbolism of humility, bravery, purity and faith, serving as reminders in modern society of the reflection of Santacruzan, conceived the idea of the procession as one of the valuable traditional events in preserving the impact of Catholicism in the country.
Throughout cultures and eras, it is critical to understand beauty standards which can easily be influenced by things like media, advertising, and any societal influences, which subjectively can alter and evolve; neither are they absolute nor immutable.
In a conventional sense, beauty contests being popular in the country takes a counterattack on how society shaped Santacruzan, similar to its concept where physical appearance is the primary criterion for evaluation.
Aside from its emphasizing representation of virtues and the preservation of cultural heritage, Santacruzan is a face for a meaningful and reflective acquaintance of involvement in religious events that goes beyond mere aesthetic judgments and serves as a fundamental frontier for valuing religion.
It is beyond forming its aesthetic value. From commemorating its religious history, strengthening individuals' connection to its faith and roots means that spirituality is vital in our daily lives. Aside from its procession, many religious activities, such as it, offer a space for spiritual reflection, prayer, and connection to one’s religious traditions.
Especially in the modern era, individualism and disconnection can be prevalent due to the pandemic that the country has been dealing with for the past three years; coming together as a community feels so new to some as to those who are letting the flow slide.
The music we hear, dance moves swaying our bodies, and traditional aspects in posture and glamor for its visually-appealing designs and garments. Santacruzan is an embracing occasion to showcase personal style and creativity through its reality.
The beauty of the soul, the beauty of tradition, the beauty of community and shared faith, as it inspires people to look past the surface and value the underlying traits that make them truly attractive by transcending just outward looks, which though it transcends the boundaries of a beauty pageant as a religious holiday in winning to celebrate.
Article: Glaiza Chavez and Shainah Mae Limpiado
Graphics: Rick Andrei Carigma
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