Publisher's Note:

When May comes, one can’t help but reminisce those merry-making events attached to this month in the Philippines. It is during this time of the year  when fiestas are held in honor of a patron saint of the town. It is such a big deal to the community that everybody gets involved in the preparation of the town parade composed of floats festooned with flowers or leaves with the reigning queen riding on it followed by marching bands and representatives of the different schools.

In the provinces and in Metro Manila, the “Flores de Mayo” and “Santacruzan” give different perspectives of the season. The “Santsacruzan” is a religious-historical beauty pageant. This is the most colorful May-time festival in the Philippines which depictsthe finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the great.  . Many movie and television personalities participate in the events and featured as major “sagalas” and escorts. The prettiest lass  in their best gowns parade through the streets in candlelit processions.

On Maui, we bring our cherished customs and traditions and culture as we continue to perpetuate not only here but even  in the diaspora. It may not be a copycat of what we have in the homeland, but we embody the essence of coming together and enjoy each other’s company.

On May 27-29, the Binhi at Ani will again host the annual Barrio Fiesta at the Maui War Memorial Complex. There will be various  activities planned for the event and everybody  is invited to attend and enjoy the occasion. As an added service, the Philippine Consulate General  in Honolulu will be on site to help residents with Philippine passport renewal, dual citizenship application, and other services.

Aloha and Mabuhay!