A celebration of the Filipino community in Devon and Cornwall will take place this May in Falmouth.

Flores De Mayo (Flowers of May) is the annual festival to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated in the Philippines during May. The popular and traditional festival is now celebrated in many parts of the world where Filipinos are residing.

The Festival of the Holy Cross (Santacruzan) is a legend and a festivity depicting the search and finding of the true Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who was a new convert to Christianity.

After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and bought back to Rome, it was welcomed with a joyful Thanksgiving celebration.

The celebration is now in its 11th year and will take place on May 23. Festivities start at 3.30 pm with an assembly at the Prince of Wales Pier, followed by the Crowning of the Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 4.30, before leading on to a procession heading to the church of St Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Killigrew Street at 4.45pm.

At 5.30pm, the procession will arrive at the Church followed by a flower offering to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Between 6pm and 7pm there will be a celebration of the Holy Mass, a short cultural show composed of Filipino folk dance before celebrations end with food at the Church Hall after the event.

For more information, contact: 07962875223 / 01579383903