Laguna Provincial Governor Teresita Santiago-Lazaro is a Kalumpitenya...Laguna Provincial Gov. Teresita Santiago-Lazaro hails from Calumpit, Bulacan. Gov. Lazaro was born in Barangay San Jose on November 18, 1942 and attended San Jose Elementary School. She was a teacher at Cabuyao and Calamba Elementary School between 1964-1974. Gov. Lazaro first entered politics in 1986 when she was elected as a Councilor of Calamba between 1986-1988 and became the Vice-Mayor between 1988-1992. She continued her outstanding service in local government and was elected as a provincial board member in 1992 and later became Vice-Governor between December 1992 and February 2001...read more about Gov. Lazaro by following this link. Also visit Laguna's provincial website by clicking: Laguna

Fiesta fever in the Philippines: It’s the time of the year again where we celebrate fiestas all over the country, and one of the most colorful May-time festivals in the Philippines is the Santacruzan or Flores de Mayo. Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pageant introduced by the Spaniards in the Philippines and has since become part of Filipino traditions identified with youth, love and romance. This festival commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena (Reyna Elena) and her son, the newly converted emperor Constantine. After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to Rome, there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving.

A novena (nine days of prayer) in honor of the Holy Cross precedes the Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan.

In our hometown of Calumpit, Barangay Caniogan is celebrating its fiesta on Sunday in honor of their patron, Sta. Cruz with Noel Laforteza as this year’s fiesta committee chairman. SKMM was told that a motocross was held today (Friday) with Jove Saulog as one of the guest participants. There will be more special events tomorrow and will be culminating on Sunday.

Next Filipino Blesseds are Kalumpitenyas: Two noble ladies Mother Dionisia Mitas Talangpaz (1691-1732) and Mother Cecilia Rosa Talangpaz (1693-1731) from Calumpit, Bulacan, founders of the Beaterio de San Sebastian whose beatification process is now in full swing are known for their exemplary lives of prayer, self denial, service to the Church and apostolate that attracted young Filipinas. Have a glimpse in the lives of these 2 Talangpaz sisters by clicking here.

Pabasa sa Canada..In an era that glorifies everything modern and urbanized, there is still room for traditional religious rituals like the pabasa. The pabasa is a uniquely Filipino tradition of reading or singing the Pasyon (passion), a book narrating the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And here's a classic example demonstrated by our dear kababayan from Canada when they held a pabasa on Good Friday hosted by our good mates, Gordo & Lynn Torres. SKMM would like to share the photos taken during the pabasa - pls. click here. Kumusta po kayong lahat diyan sa Canada!!