Server overload and the gay Santacruzan
My server overloaded six times today and I had to reboot each and every time. I was wondering what was causing the spike in traffic until my editor sent a text message regarding the controversial pronouncements of Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales on gay santacruzans.
See, if you Google “gay santacruzan”, this blog lands on the top spot of the search results. If you Google “gay flores de mayo”, this blog is on the second place.
The photos were taken in 2004 and 2007, respectively, but they are still worth a gazillion words.
Gay santacruzan photos, circa 2004.
Gay flores de mayo photos, circa 2007.
As to Cardinal Rosales’ statement, here’s my response: The dignity and solemnity of the Santacruzan has been destroyed long ago even before gays decided they could parade as sagalas. The Department of Tourism itself has prostituted the occasion by commercializing and exploiting it with the able assistance of high-profile couturiers.
Is it more acceptable if the sagalas are starlets wearing expensive designer gowns? Is it more respectable if society matrons serve as emperatriz? Is the dignity and solemnity of the occasion retained if people participate and watch not for any spiritual or religious reason but just to ogle at celebrities?
Let’s go even one step farther. Haven’t Santacruzans become a venue where mothers pimp their daughters, putting them on display, some very young girls, in the hope that their beauty would be talked about and they would get discovered by some talent agent or that they would catch the fancy of some rich boy who happens to be watching?
Oh, come on. How come no howls were raised when all that transformation was taking place?
Truth is, the move of the gay community to become part of the annual Santacruzan festivities is only a reflection of one glaring truth: Many Catholic feasts, including town fiestas, have lost their real meaning. The gay community did not invent it; they gay community did not spearhead it.
If the Catholic population sees the gays’ participation in Santacruzans as a disgrace to the occasion, the gay Santacruzans in Marikina wouldn’t be jampacked. But, goodness gracious, I was there in 2004 and 2007 and the crowds were as thick as the ones on Good Friday processions. These events were much-awaited and crowds lined the streets hours before the Santacruzan began.
If schedule permits, I’ll go again this year and take even more photos.
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Hmp! These priests always sing the same tune when it comes to gay. Just look at what that archbishop in Cebu said about that poor fellow in that hospital scandal. If its not absurd, its pure hypocrisy.
Nakakainis, sobra! As if they are soooooooo pure.
“If the Catholic population sees the gays’ participation in Santacruzans as a disgrace to the occasion, the gay Santacruzans in Marikina wouldn’t be jampacked.”
i don’t get this statement.
Sabi nga ni Cardinal Oscar Cruz of Pangasinan, as long as the Santacruzan is not transformed into a “fashion event” (which, as you pointed out, it has been for the longest time), then there is absolutely nothing wrong if gays, women, men, children, anyone participates. As long as the true essence of the procession is maintained, that is to pay tribute to Santa Elena, then kahit sino pwede sumali. Sabi naman ni Danton Remoto, mas marami nga daw na bakla na may mga panata sa mga santo at sa mahal na birhen kaya daw gustong gusto nilang sumali dyan sa mga Santacruzan.
Eh matagal na itong ginagawa, bakit ngayon lang pumuputak ang simbahan?
tama: matagal nang nawala ang true meaning of most Catholic Church-related feasts most especially the santacruzan. since i was a little girl, akala ko beauty pageant yan eh, sa totoo lang! ha ha ha. i can’t blame the church for barking at the gays like that. pero sana noon pa, sana noon pa sila strictly consistent!!!
database error ka nga kanina connie. as usual great posts dito sa blog mo.
Chiara, if the people agree with Cardinal Cruz, they’d stay home and not watch the gay santacruzan.
Kagigil, ‘di ba, Kongkong? I mean, if Cardinal Cruz has to be so critical of anything that detracts from the true essence of the santacruzan, he can’t be selective.
Panic ako kanina, Gloria, kasi every 10 minutes I was rebooting.
well some people don’t really see the santacruzan as something sacred or holy. maybe they just see that as a socializing event and something to have a good time with. sorry if this sounds judgmental but the masses in general… pinapatulan naman nila lahat ng mga “gudtaym.”
“they just see that as a socializing event and something to have a good time with.”
sad to say, it’s the same thing with rallies these days.
Those priests should just join the gays in the santacruzan. They might just find the experience very liberating. LOL!
“Many Catholic feasts, including town fiestas, have lost their real meaning.”
I totally agree!!!
It’s difficult when we transform a solemn procession like Santacruzan into a parade. We lose the sacredness. I hope we learn to respect tradition and give true honor where it is due.
The only guys with balls that can wear white gown in Santacruzan should be the priests no one else,that is what Cardinal Rosales wants to emphasize.he he he….
Ha ha… ed v., gusto nila sila lang ang bida no. Come to think of it, maraming bading na pari. Envy, that’s the outcome if they repressed their true colors.
Excellent observation Ms. Connie.
I just love your view on this issue. And the photos were great!
Can I borrow one of them?
maaaring masabing nawala na ang tunay na kahulugan ng mga tradisyon sa pilipinas (ayokong sabihing katoliko lamang) ngunit ito’y sa pisikal na anyo lamang. nananatili pa rin ang tunay na kahulugan nito, ang mga tao lamang ang nagbabago. nakakalungkot isipin na ang paglimot ng mga filipino sa ating kultura at tradisyon ay isang dahilan ng pagkawasak ng ating lahi. pagpapatunay ang mga ist world countries na patuloy na yumayakap at patuloy na pinagyayabong ang kanilang mga nakaugaliang tradisyon.
kung ipinagbabawal ng simbahan ang mga bakla sa santacruzan, karapatan nila ‘yon. ngunit karapatan din ng mga bakla na magkaroon ng sarili nilang santacruzan. hindi tradisyon ang dapat pagtalunan dito kung hindi ang relihiyon.
hi ms. veneracion, i know you have a no repro policy without express permission but i reprinted your blog entry on this subject in my blog, with full attribution. acceptable ba sa iyo yun or should i delete it? i found it to be very sensible kasi. sincerely, robin
jase, sige, I’ll make an exception in this case. Paki kalat na lang ang tungkol sa isyu na ito.
No problem, Robin.
zhalaaaamat! mwahhh!!! for sure kalat na kalat na ang tungko sa isyu na techhh!
sana naman wag ipagbawal kasi karapatan namin yun BILANG mga bakla na makilahok sa ganitong parada. inggit lng SGURO LNG SILA. SANA WAG.