Palm Sunday 2010 falls on March 28th. In the Catholic and other Christian calendar Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, the sixth and last Sunday in Lent, and the first day of the Holy Week.
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.
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.
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