The Santacruzan is a traditional Filipino procession held in May, the culmination of the Flores de Mayo celebrations. It honours the finding of the Holy Cross by Saint Helena — Reyna Elena — and features participants in elaborate gowns representing biblical and historical figures, escorted through the streets.
In Angeles City, Pampanga, the Sabat Santacruzan gives this tradition a distinctly Kapampangan character. As the original caption below puts it, it is “metung a drama king dalan” — a drama on the street — combining procession, costume and performance in a public act of devotion.
The photographs in this post are from the Sabat Santacruzan in Angeles City in 2013.
Angeles City
Metung a Drama King Dalan
Robin Pinzon
Pampanga’s religious traditions are also documented in our Holy Wednesday photographs from 2010.