On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week which concludes on Easter Sunday. The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches and covering his path with palm branches. Immediately
In Cavinti and in the neighboring coconut-producing towns, Palm Sunday is a much awaited day by the town folks. Why? For two particular reasons: (1)spiritual and moral values and (2) a financial add-on.
A week before Palm Sunday, the men begin to gather coconut palm fronds called “palaspas” or “palma.” These “palaspas” are cut into 4 or 5 pieces and later made into artistic crafts. These finished products are sold to church-goers on Palm Sunday. Each piece of the hand made craft from “palaspas” seen in the picture is sold for P10.00 or more. Hence, the earnings of each family or group of vendors range from P3000 – P4000 for their sales. Isn’t that a great supplement to a family income?
As early as Wedndnesday before Palm Sunday, most Cavintinians are bound for their selected destination to sell their crafts: the surrounding areas of the churches in Metro Manila, in Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan and still there are some who go as far as Baguio and the Ilocos region, of course, for a third reason – travel and adventure. They go in numbers: 3 or 4 in a family; husband and wife; father and son; mother and son/daughter; friends; and relatives. If ever somebody is alone, he/she will just go to Pagsanjan or Santa Cruz on Palm Sunday to sell his/her “palaspas.”
One can just imagine the sacrifices our “mga kababayan” undergo during these two-four days selling their crafts in all aspects of activities for their daily comfort: sleeping, cooking and eating, and personal hygiene. But inspite of these inconveniences, not one will say that he/she will not do it again. They, surely, have been compensated for their sacrifices.
