MANILA -- Parishioners gathered for the symbolic burning of palms at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao on Sunday, marking the commencement of preparations for the upcoming Ash Wednesday.
 
Led by Rev. Fr. Edrylle Dayrit, the Parochial Vicar, the event commenced with a prayer offering before the palms from last year's Palm Sunday celebrations were set ablaze. Attendees, who had also participated in the Mass, joined in the ritual.
 
Fr. Dayrit emphasized the significance of introspection and personal transformation during the Lenten season.
 
"'Yung dapat na pag-uugali natin ay siyempre kababaang loob tsaka pagbabago sa sarili kaya sa tuwing papasok yung Lenten season. Nandyan 'yung may pakumpisal. Mahalaga na tandaan natin yung tatlong mahahalagang bagay. Yung prayer, fasting at tsaka alms giving," Fr. Dayrit stated.
 
He urged everyone to embrace the preparation for Easter Sunday, emphasizing that the Lenten season extends beyond the observance of Holy Week itself.
 
"Sana maging makabuluhan para sa ating lahat itong papasok na mahal na araw. Hindi lang yung mahal na araw, pero buong kwaresma, 'yung ating 40 days of preparation para sa Easter Sunday," he said.
 
The ashes produced from the burning will be used on Ash Wednesday, marking foreheads as a symbolic gesture of repentance and initiating the Lenten journey.