Catholic devotees troop to churches, wave palaspas on Palm Sunday

In keeping with tradition to commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem before His crucifixion, Filipino devotees trooped to different churches and waved their palm fronds (palaspas) on Palm Sunday.

At the Manila Cathedral, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle blessed devotees' palaspas early in the morning.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle blesses palm fronds or 'palaspas' in front of the Manila Cathedral on Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019. Palm Sunday for Roman Catholic devotees symbolizes the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem on the week He was crucified. Danny Pata

In Parañaque, vendors with their stalls and carts were seen around the Baclaran Church offering palaspas (palm fronds) to churchgoers.

TINGNAN: Marami na ang nagtitinda at bumibili ng palaspas sa paligid ng Baclaran Church sa Lungsod ng Parañaque. | via Mao Dela Cruz pic.twitter.com/CLoAqe1Il4

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 13, 2019

Vendors outside the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City peddled their palaspas from P20 to P35 each.

P20 hanggang P35 ang presyo ng palaspas sa labas ng Sto. Domingo Church sa Quezon City depende sa disenyo @dzbb pic.twitter.com/5QaO8QIML9

— Luisito Santos (@luisitosantos03) April 13, 2019

At the Quiapo Church, devotees arrived early as the first in a series of masses started at 4:30 a.m. Churchgoers waved their palm fronds during the Mass, reenacting the celebratory welcome of Jerusalem to Jesus Christ during His triumphal entry.

In Tagkawayan, Quezon, after the blessing of palaspas in Parokya ng Mahal na Birhen ng Lourdes, devotees gathered around the booth (kubol) where little girls in angel costumes sang while throwing flowers to the crowd.

Around 3,000 devotees were at the church for the Palm Sunday celebration.

Catholic devotees including little girls participate in Palm Sunday festivities at the Parokya ng Mahal na Birhen ng Lourdes in Tagkawayan, Quezon on Sunday, April 14, 2019. Little girls in angel costumes wave palm fronds (palaspas) and shower people with flowers. PEEWEE BACUÑO

Palm Sunday marks the start of the annual observance of the Holy Week. —Joviland Rita and Peewee Bacuño/KG, GMA News