Category: Angeles City

Reyna de las Flores: A Celebration of Beauty and Culture in Angeles City

by ilove pampanga, posted in Angeles City, Places

Angeles City, a highly urbanized city in Pampanga province, is known for its rich history, culture, and tourism. One of the events that showcase the city’s beauty and heritage is the Reyna de las Flores or Queen of Flowers festival, which was held for the first time on May 20, 2023.

The Reyna de las Flores is a modern version of the traditional Santacruzan, a religious procession that commemorates the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena and her son Constantine. The festival features 21 ladies from different barangays of Angeles City who parade in elegant Filipiniana gowns designed by local talents. The ladies also carry symbolic props that represent various virtues and titles of the Virgin Mary.

The highlight of the festival is the coronation of the Reyna de las Flores, who is chosen based on her beauty, grace, and personality. The first-ever Reyna de las Flores was Janelle Lewis of Barangay Cutcut, who received a cash prize of ₱100,000. The first and second runners-up were Cassandra Alethea Merritt of Barangay Pandan and Samantha Grace Pinto of Barangay Tabun, respectively.

The festival also awarded prizes for the best gown design and the best arch design. The best gown design went to Merritt’s gown created by Carl John Miranda, while the best arch design went to Barangay Anunas’ arch designed by Ejay Ramos. The Mayor Pogi Lazatin’s Special Awards were given to Anne Marie Suarez of Barangay Ninoy Aquino for Queen of Flowers and Verano Santos Conese of Barangay Pandan for Arch Designer.

According to Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr., the Reyna de las Flores festival aims to promote Gawang Angeleño, or products and services made by Angeleños. It also serves as an avenue to showcase the city’s flower industry and local culture. Lazatin said that he hopes to make the festival an annual event that will attract more tourists and investors to Angeles City.

The Reyna de las Flores festival was organized by the city government in partnership with various offices and agencies, such as the Angeles City Tourism Office, Angeles City Economic Development Investment and Promotions Office, Gender and Development Office, City Nutrition Office, Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary, Angeles City Traffic Development Office, Angeles City Police Office, and Rommel ‘Poklong’ Guina.

Panata at Panalangin – Angeles City

by rspinzon, posted in Angeles City, Places

Angeles City, located in the province of Pampanga, is a vibrant and bustling city known for its rich culture and history. The city is home to many churches and religious landmarks, making it a popular destination for pilgrims and devotees who wish to fulfill their panata and offer their panalangin.

One of the most popular panatas in Angeles City is the “panata sa Apung Mamacalulu” or the vow to the Lord of Mercy, a revered statue of Jesus Christ that is believed to have miraculous powers. The statue is housed in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Christ, Our Lord of the Holy Sepulcher (Apu Mamacalulu Shrine) which is one of the oldest churches in the city. Every first Friday of March, the church holds the “Apung Mamacalulu Fiesta,” which is a grand celebration that attracts thousands of devotees from different parts of the country. Many of these devotees fulfill their panata by walking barefoot, carrying a replica of the Lord of Mercy, or participating in the procession as a form of thanksgiving or petition.

Another popular panata in Angeles City is the “panata sa Birhen ng Lourdes” or the vow to the Our Lady of Lourdes, a patron saint of the sick and the suffering. The statue is housed in the Holy Family Chapel, which is located in Barangay Claro M. Recto. Many devotees flock to the chapel to fulfill their panata by offering flowers and candles, reciting prayers of thanks and supplication, or participating in the daily Holy Mass.

Aside from these major panatas, there are also personal vows that people make to saints or deities for specific favors or blessings. These can range from simple acts of devotion, such as lighting a candle or reciting a novena, to more elaborate ones, such as organizing a fiesta or building a chapel. Whatever the form may be, the fulfillment of a panata is seen as a way of expressing one’s gratitude and faith in the divine.

Panalangin is also an essential aspect of the religious life in Angeles City. Many churches and chapels offer regular prayer services, such as the Holy Mass, the Rosary, and the novena. The Holy Family Chapel, for example, offers a daily novena to the Our Lady of Lourdes, which is attended by many devotees who wish to offer their prayers of thanks and supplication.

In conclusion, panata at panalangin play an important role in the religious life of Angeles City. These practices reflect the deep-seated faith and devotion of the people of Pampanga, who turn to the divine for guidance, strength, and comfort. Whether it’s fulfilling a personal vow or participating in a communal ritual, the act of expressing one’s gratitude and faith in the divine is a powerful reminder of the enduring power of spirituality in our lives.

https://www.ilovepampanga.com