HOLY WEEK IN THE PHIL. - PALM SUNDAY

by Elmer Nocheseda

Palm Sunday in the Philippines is most dramatic. To commemorate the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, Filipino Catholics bring their palaspas or decorated palm fronds to church to be blessed by the priests. It is always a sight to behold when young fresh coconut leaves called ibus are transformed into intricate forms and shapes. Children hold them liked priced possessions. It is one great spectacle to see the brimming Sunday congregation eagerly wave their palms as the priest passes by to bless them. The event is simply joyful.

Domingo de Ramos or Palm Sunday is one of the most photographed events in the Philippines. Palaspas, which is the most intricate, provides an exciting opening act for the drama of Semana Santa. The sight and smell of fresh palm fronds herald Holy Week in the Philippines. More than this characteristic religiosity, the palaspas showcases the Pinoy’s inherent artistry and creativity. His dexterity is amazing, as to how he could transform the fresh fronds of coconut or buri palms into plaited and decorative patterns and empower it with new meaning. His propensity for bright colors and profuse embellishment is put into maximum use as the palaspas is decorated with crepe paper flowers and banderitas. But no matter how intricate the palaspas is, it has basically just two parts: a decorative handle and the decorated fronds. The decorative handle may be heart-shaped or woven like a mat or folded into overlapping bows. On the other hand, the fronds are from which hang the woven stars, grasshoppers, and other figures from palm leaves or other tiny paper flags. The fronds are cut and woven to enhance various textures and designs. The fronds may be cut or folded or may be plaited to form zigzag patterns called kidlat (lighting ), espada (sword), bola (ball), ibon (bird), hipon (shrimp), and other designs similar to those found in Bali Indonesia. The galilea, an elevated platform decorated with palm leaves and flowers, is built in the church patio for the choir who will sing the chants of the day. Tuklong or temporary altars decorated with palaspas are where the little angles sing their Hosannas at the top of their voices. Once blessed by the passing priest, the palaspas acquires potency that even the Church has no official stand whether to accept, denounce or ignore this folk belief. The blessed palaspas becomes a fixture on top of the doors and windowsills to ward off any evil that would ever pass the household. Even the finest houses in Forbes Park or the humblest barong-barong in Tondo will have the blessed dried palaspas for a year.