Oliva la vida

For me, the classic "Oliva" is the sign that it's Palm Sunday.

As kids, growing up in Morato, we had several neighbours with Oliva plants outside their home. Then, when Palm Sunday would come, they'd offer them so that we didn't have to buy palms.

It's such a vivid childhood memory that it's something that always pops up around this time.

While the coconut palms - with their intricate and artful designs - are nice, the simple Oliva has a different charm. 

Maybe because of the fact that from childhood to adulthood, it's part of my life. 

Rejoice!

This will be the 2nd year that we're celebrating Palm Sunday virtually.

The Palm Sunday Mass is one of my favourite masses during the Holy Week. There's such an uplifting feeling each time the congregation lifts up and shakes the palms while the priest walks through the sea of palms, blessing them.

It's such a joyous sight that harks back to the time when Jesus walked through a rejoicing crowd, with Palms in the air. When I read the bible as a kid, I'd play this scene in my head. Then, when films and TV shows came out depicting this scene, it was exactly what I had in my head.

I also miss spending Palm Sunday with Mark in Tokyo, particularly in the Franciscan Chapel. They give away palms there for free, same as they do in HKG. But the Palms there look quite different from the very ornate Palms we have here in the Philippines.

We might be at home again for Palm Sunday this year, but we celebrate and remember with joy the start of the Holy Week.