Archbishop Uy leads Palm Sunday, start of Holy Week

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy leads Palm Sunday celebration at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, marking the official start of Holy Week.

Hundreds of faithful gathered at the historic cathedral, waving palm fronds in commemoration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

In his homily, Archbishop Uy reminded the faithful that Palm Sunday is more than a celebration. It is a call to walk with Christ through the joys and sorrows of Holy Week.

 “Palm Sunday is not only a celebration. It is an invitation, a call to walk with Jesus until the very end,” he said.

The Archbishop highlighted the realities of modern struggles, noting the rising cost of basic goods and the silent suffering many families face.

He urged parishes to ensure that no one in their communities goes hungry, feels alone, or loses hope. Concrete measures suggested included regular feeding programs, parish community pantries, and acts of personal outreach to the lonely and vulnerable.

“Even on the Cross, Jesus did not lose hope. As the Body of Christ, we are called to give hope to one another through prayer, encouragement, and acts of mercy,” he added.

   The Archbishop emphasized that even small acts of love like a meal shared, a visit, a kind word, or a prayer, carry immense value in God’s eyes and embody the Christian call to follow Christ faithfully.

Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, commemorates Jesus’ humble entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and welcomed by crowds shouting “Hosanna.”

  Across Cebu, Catholic communities observed the blessing of palm fronds, including at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

As the faithful in Cebu and across the Philippines begin their Holy Week journey, Archbishop Uy’s homily underscored the importance of walking with Jesus, not just in celebration, but in living acts of love and mercy throughout the season.

 Cebu City's Holy Week preparations

As the Holy Week unfolds, Cebu City is mobilizing a massive inter-agency security force to safeguard residents and visitors during the solemn observance.

 Mayor Nestor Archival has ordered the deployment of 2,489 personnel across the city, stressing his administration’s commitment to ensuring peace, order, and safety during one of the busiest religious periods of the year.

The Holy Week, which begins on yesterday’s Palm Sunday and culminates on Easter Sunday, April 5, is the most sacred time in the Catholic calendar, commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 In Cebu, it draws thousands of faithful to churches, processions, and pilgrimage sites, making security and crowd management a top priority.

For Cebu City, the deployment includes 1,251 Philippine National Police officers and 1,238 force multipliers and partner agencies.

These personnel will be strategically positioned in places of worship, major thoroughfares, transport hubs, commercial zones, and convergence points.

 To further strengthen transport security, Oplan Harabas has been activated at the North and South Bus Terminals, where 60 personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency are working alongside traffic, area, and perimeter security teams.

The city government has been coordinating closely with churches, transport operators, and community stakeholders to ensure readiness on the ground.

A final inter-agency meeting was held with representatives from the Cebu City Police Office, the Office of Councilor Paul Labra, who is the Council‘s chairman of the committee on peace and order, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Cebu City Transportation Office, the Department of Public Services, and other concerned city departments.

Mayor Archival emphasized that the initiative reflects the city’s priority to protect the public during this sacred week. “Among tumong mao ang masiguro nga luwas, hapsay, ug malinawon ang Semana Santa sa Cebu City. Giandam nato ang tanan aron maprotektahan ang atong katawhan,” he said.

 He further stressed that strong collaboration among agencies and communities is essential to guarantee a safe and orderly observance.

 “Padayon ‘ta sa pagtinabangay aron masiguro ang malinawon, organisado, ug luwas nga pag-obserbar sa Semana Santa sa Cebu City,” he added. (CEBU NEWS)