33rd Santacruzan / Flores de Mayo [...]]]> This Sunday is the 33rd Santacruzan 2011 / Flores de Mayo and Street Fair. The annual celebration – organized by Catholic Action of Mary (CAM) in partnership with Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League (PACCAL) – is an “all-day” festivities with entertainment following the Holy Mass and procession.

33rd Santacruzan / Flores de Mayo & Street Fair 2011
When: May 29, 2011 Sunday
Where: Manila Ave & Second St. Jersey City NJ
Schedule of Activities: Street Fair – 10am – 9pm
Mass – 2:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church (Second & Erie Sts.) the Procession to follow immediately after Mass.
Performances – 12-2:30pm & 5-9pm youth dance at Marian Hall following performances until 11pm
From the Press release….

…The Filipino tradition of Santacruzan is a religious commemoration of the finding of the True Cross by the Emperatriz (thus, Reyna Elena) mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine who, in the Edict of Milan in 313, legalized Christianity. This paved the way for its spread throughout the world. But it is also the celebration of the Spanish springtime tradition of Flores de Mayo dedicated to the Blessed Mother with offerings of flowers and festive processions….

….CAM, in community partnership with the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) will be celebrating Santacruzan Day with it’s street fair, now in it’s 5 th year. (www.paccal.org)The 33rd Santacruzan & Street Fair 2011 has grown to become one of the largest gatherings of Filipino’s here in the Northeast, USA attracting young and old by the thousands. It will be an all day event complete with over 50 vendors: flea market type, food concessions, booths for non-profit organizations, businesses, sponsors and all day games, prizes and activities for the children….

CAM Announces Sponsors & Ent. Line Up

See you all on Sunday!

Join the forum discussion on this post

Filipinos in Jersey City gathered in Downtown, Jersey City for the 32nd Annual Santacruzan to recognize Virgin Mary. The event started at 10AM with street fair, but the highlight was the Santacruzan Procession – a religious parade celebrating the month of May — Virgin Mary’s month.

Non-Filipino Religious [...]]]>

Santacruzan Procession 2010

Filipinos in Jersey City gathered in Downtown, Jersey City for the 32nd Annual Santacruzan to recognize Virgin Mary. The event started at 10AM with street fair, but the highlight was the Santacruzan Procession – a religious parade celebrating the month of May — Virgin Mary’s month.

Non-Filipino Religious Groups were a welcome addition to the festivity

In the afternoon, the procession was preceded by the Holy Eucharist at St. Mary’s Church at 2nd Street and Erie Street. After the mass, the participants of the procession assembled outside to start the parade around the area. Revelers enjoyed the rest of the afternoon watching on stage performances.

Click on the thumbnail to view the pictures:

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The pictures have light watermark on them, but if you’d like a clean copy and a larger version of a specific photo, you can post a comment below indicating the picture(s) you choose, or email me at info@filipinosinjc.com …. Be sure to indicate the page number, column number and row number of the photo(s).

Balahadia, a 17-year old student from Jersey City, is crowned today as Filipino Idol 2009. She bested 11 other finalists in an entertaining singing contest at Exchange Place (waterfront) in Downtown Jersey City.

Filipino Idol – for [...]]]> Eat your heart out, Rihanna. Filipinos in Jersey City have their very own singing sensation: Riana Balahadia.

Balahadia, a 17-year old student from Jersey City, is crowned today as Filipino Idol 2009. She bested 11 other finalists in an entertaining singing contest at Exchange Place (waterfront) in Downtown Jersey City.

Filipino Idol – for the uninformed – is an amateur singing contest similar to the famous American Idol. It serves as the Finale of PAFCOM’s annual Philippine-American Friendship Day festival, a tradition that has been celebrated for 19 years now.

Read the rest of the updated post after the jump…

Photo Credit: Ernie Pena

A huge fan of Broadway and musical theater, Riana performed Barbara Streisand’s “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from the musical Funny Girl.

When asked why the music inspired her: “I wanted to pick a song where I could communicate more effectively with the audience and make them smile…” Riana added that she wanted a different song not normally sung at a competition. “Don’t Rain On My Parade seemed like the perfect song. It has a lot of energy, and I have so much fun doing it everytime.”

Riana – who also starred in a stage play entitled “It’s All In Your Mind” at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY when she was 14 – drew cheers and applause from the crowd when she finished her performance.  “You have a very bright future.” Dr. Ching Legarda – one of the 3 judges – told Riana referring to her singing talent.

All Filipino Idol finalists received Certificate of Appreciation. The winners received cash prizes.

1st Place – Riana Balahadia (Jersey City)
2nd Place – Jon Michael Eclar (Virginia)
3rd Place – Vanessa Angela Villena (South NJ)

Congratulations, Riana and good luck on your future endeavors!

Judges, Winners, and PAFCOM Chairman Hector Magno (click image to view larger size)

Filipino Idol 2009 Panel of Judges (as sent by PAFCOM):

DENNIS BERNARDO, MD
Dennis is a musical director, accompanist, choir director, and a medical doctor. He became a “certified musical freak” ever since he was “forced” into piano lessons at age 7. From his high school days at Manila Science High, to his college days at the UP and UERM, he got involved into music by joining several glee clubs. Currently, he is the musical director of the Kayumanggi Chorale and the Reflections, an award-winning Christian choir since 1995. He is employed as a staff physician at Bergen Family Practice in Ramsey, NJ.

CHING LEGARDA, MD
Dr. Legarda, who together with husband Dr. Ramon Legarda own Group Ole Production, Inc. since 1990. They bring to the tri-state area quality concerts featuring well-known artists from the Philippines. Ching has been the past president of the UST Medical Association in New York having graduated in UST School of Medicine. During her spare time, she is involved in many cultural and social functions in NY and NJ. She is a proud grand mother to a 4 year old girl named Fiona.

LUIS PEDRON
Luis is an award-winning filmmaker, actor, PR consultant, publisher of entertainment newspaper Planet Philippines NY NJ and Fanclubx.com . He has been a Casting Director for numerous Films, Singing Contests and Dance Contests both in Mainstream and Filipino American Community. He has been involved in several GMA Pinoy TV events in the NY and NJ areas. He is heavily involved in the Entertainment and Socio Civic Organizations in the tristate areas including being a Board Member of Kalusugan Coalition and FAHSI.

Save the date for the Philippine-American Friendship Day 19th Grand Parade. Organized by PAFCOM, this big festival will be held on June 28, 2009 from 8AM – 7PM to celebrate the 61 years of friendship between the Philippines and the United States of America.

Philippine-American Friendship Day 19th [...]]]>

Grand Parade last year (2008)

Save the date for the Philippine-American Friendship Day 19th Grand Parade. Organized by PAFCOM, this big festival will be held on June 28, 2009 from 8AM – 7PM to celebrate the 61 years of friendship between the Philippines and the United States of America.

Philippine-American Friendship Day 19th Grand Parade
Where: From Plaza Rizal to Exchange Place
When: Sunday, June 28, 2009 from 8AM – 7PM
Organizers: PAFCOM

This year’s festivities will start in Downtown, Jersey City (previous events started in McGinley Square) at 8AM with a mass at St. Bridget’s Church. Pinoys will gather at Plaza Rizal before kicking off the parade at 1045AM to Exchange Place.

There will be lots of fun during this event. Expect fascinating floats, marching bands, health fair, music entertainment, foods galore, arts crafts, and of course, the Grand Finals of Filipino Idol 2009.

Let’s pray for a good weather this year. We don’t want to see this event cut short again because of the rain, right?

I will be there in the parade with some friends and will spend some time at Exchange Place, so see you there!

Schedule
8:00 am – Mass at St Bridget’s Church (located at the corner of Montgomery St. & Brunswick St.)
9:30 am – Assembly at Plaza Rizal
10:45 am- Parade kicks off (Columbus Drive To Exchange Place)

For more info, please call the following:

Parade Chair
Paul Verzosa 908-764-9011

Co-Chairs
Nelsie Parrado – (201)960-7965
Rev Gaudy Soriano – (201)282-934
Ronnie Atinaja – (973)519-4661.

Santacruzan is one the most popular traditions in the Philippines. It is a parade during the month of May which is also known as Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May), a festival honoring the Virgin Mary.

In the Philippines, the Santacruzan parades last for a month, with different Hermanas/Hermanos and Reynas for each [...]]]>

Santacruzan is one the most popular traditions in the Philippines. It is a parade during the month of May which is also known as Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May), a festival honoring the Virgin Mary.

In the Philippines, the Santacruzan parades last for a month, with different Hermanas/Hermanos and Reynas for each night. Here in Jersey City, though, the festival only lasts for a day, with various activities and festivities before the grand finale (procession).

So if you’re a long time Filipino resident here in Jersey City, you probably know about this event already. First-time Pinoys here, make sure you don’t miss the fun! Mark your calendar for the 31st Annual Santacruzan and Street Fair – May 24, 2009. Details below.

31st Annual Santacruzan 2009 and Street Fair
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2009
Where: Second St. btwn Manila Ave. and Marin Blvd., Jersey City, New Jersey
Sponsors: The Catholic Action of Mary (CAM), Resurrection Parish in association with Pan-American Concerned Citizen Action League (PACCAL)

SCHEDULE:
Street Fair – 10am – 9pm
Performances – 12pm – 9pm
Mass at St. Mary’s Church – 2:30pm (Second St. corner of Erie St.)
Santacruzan Procession – 4:30pm

Full press release inside this post…

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

Contact:  Joey Mayo
E-mail: josemmayonyc@aol.com
Phone:  (917) 656-9443 Cell

31st ANNUAL SANTACRUZAN & STREET FAIR 2009 in Jersey City

The Catholic Action of Mary (CAM) will hold the 31st Annual Santacruzan in Jersey City on Sunday, May 24, 2009. CAM, in cooperation with Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. ( PACCAL) is celebrating with a street fair, announced Ledy Almadin, Santacruzan 2009 Chairperson.

The 2009 Santacruzan Street Fair will be an all day event complete with flea market type vendors, food concessions, booths for non-profit organizations, businesses and sponsors. The Street Fair will be located on Second St. between Erie St. & Marin Blvd., Jersey City and will start from 10 am to 9 pm.

The highlight of the day is the Religious Procession and the traditional celebration of the Santacruzan with the Hermanos & Hermanas Mayores, the Reyna Elenas and Sagalas. There will be a mass at St. Mary’s Church, Second St. corner of Erie St., Jersey City at 2 pm and the procession follows immediately after the mass.

On stage performances which start from 12 noon till 9 pm will feature local youth talents, live bands, performers, vocalists, cultural and modern dance troops. The event is expected to be amongst the largest assembly of Filipinos of all ages in the Northeast USA.

To participate, contact:

31st Annual Santacruzan 2009 Street Fair
Sponsors and Vendors: Joey Mayo – 917 656 9443
Performers: Maximilian Cristobal – 551 998 8467
Sagalas and Escorts: Carol Dorico – 201 798 7893
Damas, Flower Girls and Angels: Misty Tolentino – 201 792 5371

31st Santacruzan line up

Reynas:

Reynas standing - left to right - Carolyn Nguyen Vu, Feminina Garcia Bloomberg; Sitting - left to right - Leona Vidamaria Vivas Ramos, Hannacrista Diaz Elarmo, Leona Vidamaria Vivas Ramos

RE I – Hannacrista Diaz Elarmo
RE II – Leona Vidamaria Vivas Ramos
RE III – Amanda Nicole Ocampo
Reyna Delas Flores – Carolyn Nguyen Vu
Reyna Emperatriz – Feminina Garcia Bloomberg

Hermanos y Hermanas Mayor: Jean Daniel, Lydia Dapito, Diwata Macuja and Rolando Macuja

Standing - left to right - Diwata Macuja, Lydia Dapito, Jean Daniel; Sitting - Rolando Macuja

SANTACRUZAN PROCESSION ROUTE:

• From St. Mary’s Church on Second St. going east towards Manila Avenue,
• Turn right on Manila Avenue going south towards First St.
• Turn right on First Street going west towards Erie St.,
• Turn right on Erie Street going north all the way towards Ninth St.
• Turn right on Ninth St. going east towards Manila Ave.
• Turn right on Manila Ave. going south all the way towards Second St.
• Turn right on Second St. and back to St. Mary’s Church.