RAY de Pangasinan sells ‘palaspas’ online for two consecutive years

The Philippines has been battling surge in COVID-19 cases as it marks a year since the government
imposed one of the world’s longest lockdowns. Along with this are the prohibitions on the conduct of
various religious gatherings especially in the areas with the greatest number of COVID-19 cases.
Saddening as it may seem, many Catholic Faithful were able to celebrate religious occasions such
as Simbang Gabi, Holy Week and others through various online platforms. However, with the
government’s mandate of a 10%-50% seating capacity in Churches (depending of the local
situations) a ray of hope appeared to the faithful people for they could get to celebrate Church
occasions by attending physically with their hearts and minds making their faith in God bigger than
their fear on this pandemic. Adhering to the government’s appeal, strict health protocols were being
observed by the Churches.

RAY de Pangasinan has witnessed how the pandemic challenged everyone. It could be noted that
last April 2020, the country has declared community quarantine and it so happened that the Holy
Week was approaching. Despite the threat, RAY de Pangasinan still sold ‘palaspas’ for the Palm
Sunday—the final Sunday of Lent and the beginning of the Holy Week, amid the enhanced
community quarantine. This is in commemoration of the the triumphant arrival of Jesus Christ in
Jerusalem where people usually decorate blessed "palaspas" or palm fronds to the altars of
churches and houses. As crowding is prohibited as of that moment, the group decided to sell
‘palaspas’ online and indeed, it was successful following the IATF protocols while selling.

For the second year of celebrating Holy Week amid pandemic, RAY de Pangasinan once again
continued the selling of ‘palaspas’ online which started March 22, 2021. This time, the coverage
became wider as the RAY de Pangasinan members from the various chapel areas have also
decided to sell ‘palaspas’ online. These chapel areas are: RAY de Pangasinan – Our Lady of the
Visitation Parish – Pasibi East, RAY de Pangasinan – St. Joseph the Worker Chapel – Mapolopolo,
RAY de Pangasinan – Our Lady of Fatima Chapel – Pasibe West, RAY de Pangasinan – Our Lady
of Manaoag Chapel – Malaca and RAY de Pangasinan – Our Lady of Consolation Chapel – Maigpa.
They comprise three municipalities of Pangasinan namely: Urbiztondo, Bayambang and Basista.
With a uniform price, the ordinary 'palapas' was sold for PHP25 per seven pieces. The group
provided free delivery in every chapel area and the health protocols were properly observed.

As a result, the organization was able to raise a combined amount of PHP 7, 215.00 which makes
more than 1,000 pieces of weaved ‘palaspas’. Thanks to the community who donated the harvested
young coconut leaves to weave palaspas—a fortnight before Palm Sunday. The proceeds of the
palaspas will fund the group’s future activities and programs for youth amid the Covid-19 pandemic
scare.

For many, the pandemic may have brought negative impact to various aspects of human living which
in turn, became suffering: loss of jobs, death of a loved one, scarcity of resources, depression, loss
of faith and many more. But let us always be reminded of what St. Faustina said, “Suffering is a
great grace; through suffering, the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering, love becomes
crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love.” Our God is bigger than our fear! Yes, we
must adhere to the what the government tells us but more than that, whatever challenge we
encounter, we must and should keep our faith and pray. May this online selling of ‘palaspas’ be an
inspiration to everyone that pandemic cannot stop us from loving and serving our God.

Sakey a puso, Sakey a Kanunutan parad Diyos a Katawan! Aliguas, RAY de Pangasinan!