Some people believed that many of the festivals we celebrate originate from the Spanish colonizers who brought with them rituals and religious practices.

We have the Santa Cruzan, a Novena procession in commemoration of Saint Helena’s finding of the cross where Christ was crucified. Flores de Mayo (the other version of provincial religious belief) where children’s presenting bunches of fresh blooms or a basket of different petals to shed unto the altar while singing her praises to the devotion of Mama Mary this May flower. That is May is the most colorful month of the year. May originated from the Roma goddess of spring named “Maieia.” Who once lived near the Pasig River and tended the flowers and plants, which we were growing on the riverbanks. Her love for the flowers allured King Rayo (the Sun King) who would watch her and lovingly stroke her with his sunrays everyday.

As time went by, King Rayo fell so madly in love with Maia that he took her to his Kingdom; he realized that Maieia could not withstand the heat. Maieia was burning with fever and King Rayo could not just watch as the heat devoured her. King Rayo had no choice but to bring Maieia to his sister Princess Olan (the Moon Princess).

With Princess Olan’s care, Maieia soon recovered and lived happily until one day, she received news that her flowers were dying from lack of care.

Maieia went back to Earth and stayed for a month – just enough time for the flowers to flourish. When her flowers were in good shape. Maieia returned to King Rayo’s kingdom. That month was soon called “May” or “Mayo” the combined names of Maieia and King Rayo. Every May, the couple goes to Earth to check on Maieia’s plants and flowers.

Now you know why flowers bloom in May…