Sydneysiders hold Flores de Abril to unite and pass on the tradition to the next generation

Filipinos gathered at the first-ever Flores de Abril held at Blacktown Market in Sydney. Queens paraded from all around and also showcased Filipino food.

[L-R] Reyna Emperatriz Jeica Dimatatac, Reyna Elena Laurena Isabela Taladua, Queen Rita Agustino, DC Diversity Inclusive Ambassador 2024, Reyna Sheeba Jerlyn Rama Gubat, and Reyna de las Flores Arabella Ramos graced the first-ever Flores de Abril event held at Blacktown Market in Sydney. Credit: SBS

Key Points

• Flores de Abril is known as Flores de Mayo in the Philippines, where queens are paraded in a procession called Santacruzan on the streets wearing elegant dresses or Filipiniana.
• The organizers aim to unite Filipinos and reintroduce the tradition and culture to other nationalities influenced by the Spaniards.
• Flores de Mayo is both a religious and cultural festival in the Philippines typically held in the month of May, with the Santacruzan procession taking place on the last day of the month.

[L-R] Buen Cataquis, Blacktown Muse, along with other Filipinos, collaborated to organise the first-ever Flores de Abril in Sydney.

Australians Jo and Michale Parker, along with their son Tristan, often visit Blacktown Market to enjoy their favourite Filipino barbecue.

New Zealanders Mervin and his wife love Pinoy barbecue. Credit: SBS

Filipino-Australian Liza Pizarro, the owner of Pinoy Yummy Street Food, sells barbecue, lumpia, sisig, and many other dishes. The majority of her customers keep coming back to taste her Filipino exotic food, Dinuguan