Manila – A historic collaboration unfolds in the Walled City of Manila as the Intramuros Administration (IA) and the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) join forces for this year’s Grand Santacruzan, a vibrant showcase of Filipino culture and tradition.
Taking place on 23 May 2025 within the storied walls of Intramuros, the Grand Santacruzan highlights the country’s rich heritage and devotion to its historical roots.
To mark the partnership, IA through its Administrator Joan Padilla and PTAA led by its president Evangeline Manotok formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, at Centro de Turismo Intramuros, underscoring a collective effort to preserve and promote Filipino customs.
The Grand Santacruzan, a time-honored religious and cultural procession, commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by Empress Helena and Emperor Constantine the Great. This year’s celebration will bring together tourism offices and regional representatives to highlight the diverse traditions of different provinces. Being the historic heart of Manila, Intramuros provides the perfect backdrop for this meaningful celebration.
“The Grand Santacruzan is not only a celebration of faith and beauty but also an opportunity to highlight the vibrancy of the modern Filipina in travel – graceful, empowered, and deeply rooted in our nation’s identity,” said PTAA president Manotok.
Also present during the signing ceremony were Assistant Secretary Sharlene Zabala-Batin of the Department of Tourism and Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo who will be one of the reinas for the Grand Santacruzan 2025.
Intramuros Administrator Padilla said, “We envision the Intramuros Grand Santacruzan 2025 as a grand spectacle that will captivate both local and international visitors, with no less than Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo as one of our queens. It will be an event that honors our past, celebrates our present, while looking forward to a future where our cultural treasures are preserved and shared with the world.”
As co-presenters, IA will oversee the historical and cultural aspects of the event while PTAA will lead the organization and execution.
Open to the public, the Grand Santacruzan invites everyone to witness this memorable event and join in celebrating the beauty of Filipino customs in one of the nation’s most treasured heritage sites.
