Santacruzan of beauty queens at Nayong Pilipino sa Clark today

MANILA, Philippines - From a showcase of Philippine culture, history and nature, the Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo turns into a vanguard of Filipino tradition when it holds a santacruzan of beauty queens at 4 p.m. today.

The santacruzan will feature Mutya ng Pilipinas 2012 Central Luzon candidate Alex Camille Villanueva as this year’s Reina de las Flores, Supermodel of the World Philippines finalist Michelle Macalacad as Reina Elena, and La Flor de los Angeles 2012 Zaina Chandley as Emperatriz.

This traditional activity is in keeping with the Nayong Pilipino’s role as the country’s premier cultural park that perpetuates Filipino socio-cultural festivities while boosting Philippine tourism.          

Such a tradition has its roots in the finding of the True Cross of Jesus by an expedition financed by Empress Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great of both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.

The expedition found the Cross miraculously intact for almost 300 years without decomposition since the crucifixion of Christ in 33 AD on Mt. Calvary.

At that time, the crosses of Jesus and of the two thieves who were crucified with Him were thrown into a nearby cistern. The crosses had been forgotten until Bishop Makarios of Jerusalem dreamt of finding them by excavating the old cistern. Promptly, the bishop appealed to Empress Helena to finance the excavation.

When found, the True Cross was borne into procession. This event, done in around 326 AD, became the start of the santacruzan tradition.

Also invited to attend the santacruzan at the Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo grounds are government officials led by Clark Development Corp. president Arthur Tugade and tourism manager Noemi Garcia, Department of Tourism Central Luzon director Ronaldo Tiotuico, and Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) chairperson Atty. Grace Quevedo-Panagsagan and executive director Atty Apolonio Anota Jr.

“The NPF is inviting everyone to come and visit Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo, and witness this spectacular event,” Anota said.

Entrance tickets are P100 for adults and P50 for children.

Just recently, the Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo celebrated its Flores de Mayo featuring male and female models of Pampanga and the fashion creations of designer Archie David Quizon.

The procession went around the park complex, culminating at the replica of the Barasoain Church.

The sagalas together with their escorts offered flowers in front of the image of Nuestra Señora del Santissimo Rosario to culminate the traditional Mayflower feast.