‘Palaspas’ costs rise amid fuel crisis
LUCENA CITY—As church bells tolled for Palm Sunday and devotees raised woven palm fronds in blessing rites across the country, this year’s quiet ritual of buying “palaspas” came at a higher cost.
Filipino Catholics marked the start of Holy Week yesterday with the traditional blessing of palms, commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Devotees flocked to church premises to have their palm fronds sprinkled with holy water in Gamu, Isabela, while waving palms filled the centuries-old Holy Child Parish in San Antonio, Zambales.
In Daraga, Albay, parishioners gathered with Mayon Volcano in the background, and in Iloilo City, vendors prepared woven “ramos” for early churchgoers outside St. Clement Church.
But behind the enduring tradition is a familiar strain: rising fuel prices.
Vendors said higher transport and production costs, fueled by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, have forced them to raise prices.
“All prices have gone up, so we were also forced to increase the price of palaspas,” said Maria Sembrano, 65, who has been selling outside the St. Ferdinand Cathedral in Lucena City.
The braided palm fronds, woven by her children in nearby Tayabas City, now sell for P35 each, up from P25 last year, while more elaborate designs range from P40 to P45. Tayabas, known for its long-standing palm-weaving tradition, supplies much of the fronds sold in Lucena.
Every stage affected
Sembrano said every stage—from harvesting and weaving to transport and selling—has been affected by rising costs. Still, many buyers have been understanding, with some even paying more than the asking price.
Similar scenes played out outside churches, such as St. Jude Parish in Barangay Cotta and St. Clement Church in Iloilo City, where vendors lined sidewalks selling freshly made palm fronds. One seller said he bought his stock at P25 each from Tayabas weavers and adjusted prices to recover costs and earn a modest profit.
To keep the fronds fresh, sellers covered them with newspapers, shielding them from heat and preventing discoloration.
After Mass, churchgoers carried home blessed palms—some to share with family and neighbors, others to place near doors and windows as symbols of protection.
“I understand the increase—we’re all affected by the current economic situation,” said Criselda Manalo, 69, who bought 10 fronds.
She added: “Everyone needs to earn, but without taking advantage of others.” —WITH REPORTS FROM JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT, VILLAMOR VISAYA JR., MARK ALVIC ESPLANA AND IAN PAUL CORDERO
