LONDON - Two Filipino organizations in East London worked together to promote Philippine culture by staging Santacruzan.

Organized by members of London East End Rosary Crusade and Leyte-Samar Organization UK, it attracted hundreds of Filipinos alongside other nationalities, with a strong emphasis on the importance of religion and heritage.

Held at St. Francis of Assisi church in Stratford, the community event was a devotion to the Virgin Mary, as well as a conscious effort to preserve Philippine culture among Filipinos in London.

“We try to incorporate the Santacruzan in the Philippines here in London. We want the new generation of British-Filipinos to know more about the Philippines and our culture,” said Cathy Claro, founder of East London Santacruzan, who is now based in the US and flew in especially for the event.

Claro added, “It's a learning process for the young ones, and we encourage the old ones to join us in educating their own children about our country."

Santacruzan is a Catholic tradition in the Philippines which commemorates Reyna Elena, also known as Saint Helena of Constantinople, and her quest for the true cross of Jesus. It involves elaborate pageantry with flowers, Filipiniana costumes and young people representing various characters in a procession.

The East London Santacruzan involves children dressed in formal attire, including gowns and barongs, with flower offerings for the Virgin Mary. This year’s honor of representing Reyna Elena was given to 2 young teenagers, Brooklyn Jade Adriano and Maricar Dizon Alumno, who are both students.

“It's really good being Reyna Elena 2010 because it's carrying on Filipino culture. Even though we're outside the country, we're doing it on the other side of the world, especially for the younger generation,” said Adriano.

The community festival included a holy Mass led by Fr. Kieran Fitzsimons, followed by a procession and prayer offerings in a grotto of the Virgin Mary. There was also a social gathering where quests shared food, fun and games.

“Sometimes Filipinos need a push,” said Myrna Cunningham, one of the organizers of the 2010 East London Santacruzan.

She continued: “This event has been happening on and off since the 1980s when Cathy Claro founded it. I thought I’d reorganize it when I found time to do community work, and it has been successful so far. The response has been very enthusiastic. People are becoming more interested, and we’re getting good feedback.”

The East London Santacruzan has been a Filipino tradition in the city since 1983. It continues to grow every year with the aim of honoring the Virgin Mary and remembering Saint Helena, as well as promoting Philippine culture within the Filipino community and beyond.