MEComposing

First off, Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo are not the same. Santacruzan is all about reliving Queen Helen's hunt for Jesus' crucifix remains. Flores de Mayo is a flower festival for Mother Mary asking for good harvests.

Anyway, the Santacruzan has begun in earnest in our area. My son loves the beat of the drums and xylophones during the parade and I love watching all the gowns. I see that tarpaulins wih the sagala's picture is now the norm, either attached to the decorated arch or the pedicab (which usually carries the kids). I can't help but cringe when I see archs decorated with plastic, thinking of how they'd be environmentally bad.

Anyway, watching those heavily made-up girls parading with their consorts will always be a bittersweet thing for me as I was ugly as a child. And though I never measured my worth through my looks, I am only human. Of course, it would have been nice to be asked to parade. And eventhough I know half of those who were only there because of their conncections and bribes, I really doubt any woman wouldn't like being appreciated for how good she looks. I really doubt any woman wouldn't like being perceived as beautiful.

So I can only imagine how competitive such things can be in small towns.

I only got to parade in a gown once, and that's at the Tapusan of Flores de Mayo in Lipa, where anyone can don a gown and parade. The only one with decorated archs and lamps are the Kapitanas. And even if you don't have a partner, you can join (of course, it'd be kinda embarassing, but it's still not uncommon). And yes, being voluntary, ladies in gowns usually outnumber guys in barongs by 3:1 :)

But all these being said, I am glad to not be particularly marked negatively by the lack of looks. And it's really great there's such a thing as sex appeal and confidence, that I never wanted for admirers naman.

ow, if only I can be the hot momma I want to be. Hehe.