On Palm Sunday, Catholic devotees commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem

Catholic devotees marked the start of the Holy Week on Sunday by commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem.

At Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City, devotees gathered as early as 4 a.m. on Palm Sunday for the Mass before the blessing of the palm fronds or "palaspas," a report on News TV Live said.

The Palm Sunday gospel message centered on the judgment and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Outside the church, vendors were busy selling palm fronds from P15 to P25 each.

The blessing of the palm fronds was scheduled at 6:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Sto. Domingo Church.

Elsewhere in the country, priests will also bless the palm fronds.

At the Basilica del Sto. Niño in Cebu City on Sunday, March 20, 2016, devotees wave their palm fronds as a priest walks by to bless them. Danny Pata

Mga Katoliko na nakikibahagi sa Domingo de Ramos sa Old Balara, QC. | via @VargasMannysen pic.twitter.com/0sAJavN07k

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 20, 2016

Msgr. Walde Batoon was delighted to find that the Saint William Cathedral in Laoag City was filled with devotees an hour before the mass began. The people proceeded to the City Hall to have their palm fronds blessed.

In Casiguran, Aurora, residents made their own palm fronds. The tradition has been passed down for generations, with people not keen on buying or selling "palaspas"

"Siguro po dahil sa ito na 'yung kinagisnan naming tradisyon at kultura nung mga sina una pa na amin pong mga lolo, lola... dahil siguro po bilang Katoliko naniniwala po kami na isa po ito sa mga paraan upang makaalis ng may sakit," Casiguran resident Ariel Soriano said. "Ginagamit po namin siya na isinasalo sa pang-suob tuwing nilalagnat po dito sa amin."

LOOK: Linggo ng Palaspas, masayang ipinagdiwang sa Tagkawayan, Quezon. #SemanaSanta2016 via @PeeweeHero  pic.twitter.com/nNXpkRjXW6

— GMA News Breaking (@gmanewsbreaking) March 20, 2016

Meanwhile, devotees flocked to Forth Pilar Shrine in Zamboanga City, joining the 5 p.m. mass on Saturday to have their palm fronds blessed.

The same scene was found in St. Batholomew Parish in Baao, Camarines Sur. Parish Priest Father Louie Occiano led the lay ministers and young church volunteers in re-enacting Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem.

Assistant Parish Priesh Father Sanny Apin was not remiss in preaching that the Holy Week should not be spent frolicking in the beach. Instead, he said, the time off should be used to ponder on Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.

In Ormoc City, parish priest Father Isagani Petilos led the blessing of the palm fronds at Saints Peter and Paul Parish and reminded the attendees that the triumphant entry to Jerusalem also marked the start of Jesus' suffering.

He added that Catholics should reflect on the cleansing of humanity's sin at the end of Jesus' trials. He also hoped that the observance of Holy Week would cleanse the hearts and minds of devotees, in preparation for a peaceful and fruitful National Elections.

The Parish priest of San Isidro Labrador Parish in Upi, Maguindanao bless the palms of the parishioners as we now enter the Holy Week. Photo: Amiel Cagayan

Similar calls for peace were made in Upi, Maguindanao where residents toured the plaza with palm fronds before having it blessed at the San Isidro Labrador Parish.

Police joined the devotees in marking the start of Holy Week at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño Church in Midsayap, North Cotabato in response to security alerts.

This year's blessed palm fronds will be burned next year and the ashes will be used for Ash Wednesday. — George Balbero, Jayvee A. Francisco, Michael Biando, Robert Dejon, Dennis Gabriel Alipio/AT/KG GMA News