Camille Naredo

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception known as The Manila Cathedral is located in Cabildo and Beaterio Streets in Intramuros, Manila. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception known as The Manila Cathedral is located in Cabildo and Beaterio Streets in Intramuros, Manila.

Article (news)

Manila Cathedral

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177114474702720240326-visita-iglesia-manila-cathedral-MT-27.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception known as The Manila Cathedral is located in Cabildo and Beaterio Streets in Intramuros, Manila. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception known as The Manila Cathedral is located in Cabildo and Beaterio Streets in Intramuros, Manila. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA, Philippines — Preparations are underway at the Manila Cathedral for the observance of Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent for millions of Filipino Catholics.Rev. Fr. Viel Bautista, Vice Rector of the Manila Cathedral, said church staff have begun collecting dried palm leaves from previous Palm Sunday celebrations. The palms will be burned in the coming days to produce ashes for the Ash Wednesday rites.“Sa ngayon po ay nagsisimula po ang ating pong staff na ayusin o samsamin yung mga lumang palaspas na natuyo na at sa mga susunod na araw ay susunugin at gagawing abo sa darating na Ash Wednesday,” Bautista said.The cathedral is also being readied for an expected influx of worshippers on Wednesday. Confessionals are being cleaned and prepared as part of spiritual preparations for the Lenten season.“Unti-unti ay hinahanda po muli ang ating Manila Cathedral, sa pagdayo ng mga tao sa darating na Miyerkules. Isa rin po sa mga nililinis o inaayos ang mga kumpisalan kung saan ito din po ay gagamitin din po sa mga susunod na araw bilang paghahanda din po para sa pagpasok natin sa panahon ng kwaresma,” he added.Bautista encouraged the faithful to reflect and seek forgiveness as they prepare for Easter.“Our invitation to the people is to prepare for Lent by remembering, recalling, being mindful of our sins, in preparation for the celebration of Easter,” he said. “Kaya tayo nagsisisi sa ating mga kasalanan, naghuhugas ng ating mga puso sa pamamagitan ng kumpisal, nananalangin, upang maipagdiwang natin ang panahon ng pagkabuhay ng puno ng grasya at kagalakan sa ating mga puso.”He reminded Catholics of the three Lenten disciplines: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/2/15/cbcp-official-encourages-fasting-reflection-as-lent-begins-1415">CBCP official encourages fasting, reflection as Lent begins</a></div>“Kada kuwaresma po ay tatlong disiplina ang tinatawag ng ating simbahan: The Disciplines of prayer… next Fasting… Ngunit paalala na kada Miyerkules ng Abo at Biyernes Santo ay ito ay pandaigdigang araw ng pag-aayuno sa 18 hanggang 79 years old na isang beses lang kakain sa isang araw o 2 light meals.”He also emphasized that receiving ashes should not replace participation in Mass.“Pagdating po ng Miyerkules ng abo, tiyak ko na marami ang magsisimba dahil sa abo na yan… hindi dapat na paglagay ng abo ay aalis na kayo, magandang pasimulan ang paguumpisa ng kwaresma sa selebrasyon ng banal na eukaristiya,” Bautista said.He explained the meaning behind the two formulas recited during the imposition of ashes: “Repent and believe in the Gospel” and “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” reminding the faithful of humility and life’s temporary nature.<div> </div><div>Youth Participation</div>For Jhonrey Buenaventura, 20, who has served as an altar server for 13 years, assisting in the preparations is a meaningful tradition.“Nagsimula po ang magserve, way back 2013,” he said.He described how volunteers carefully prepare the dried palms to ensure they are safe for burning.“Kinukuha natin yung mga leaves po na kaya masunog. Tinatanggal po namin yung mga plastic, staples na maaring makairritate ng mga balat ng papahiran, tinitira lang namin is yung mga leaves.”“Sobrang halaga po nun kasi parang yun yung nagmamark ng beginning ng Lent season,” he added.Encouraging fellow youth to participate in church activities, Buenaventura said, “Para po sa mga youth, hinihikayat ko po kayo na sumama at magsimba sobrang saya po maging Katoliko.”Meanwhile, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Region IX-B has joined the Muslim community in observing the Ramadan moon sighting on February 17, 2026 (29 Shaban 1447 AH), signaling the anticipated start of the holy month.In a social media post, NCMF Region IX-B urged the faithful to prepare spiritually for Ramadan, offering the supplication, “Allahumma balighna Ramadan” (O Allah, allow us to reach Ramadan), and praying for “sincerity in worship and steadfastness in faith.”The moon sighting for Ramadan 2026 is expected on the evening of Tuesday, February 17. However, based on astronomical data, the crescent moon is unlikely to be visible globally that night.If sighted in some regions on February 17, the earliest possible start of Ramadan would be Wednesday, February 18. Forecasts, however, indicate that Thursday, February 19, is the most likely start date for most parts of the world, as the crescent is expected to be easily visible on the evening of February 18.Both observances mark significant spiritual seasons for Filipino Catholics and Muslims, as communities across the country prepare for periods of prayer, fasting, and reflection.

Preparations are underway at the Manila Cathedral for the observance of Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent for millions of Filipino Catholics.

Preparations are underway at the Manila Cathedral for the observance of Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent for millions of Filipino Catholics.

Ashes and crescent Moon: Manila Cathedral, Muslim leaders prepare faithful for Lent and Ramadan

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Ashes and crescent Moon: Manila Cathedral, Muslim leaders prepare faithful for Lent and Ramadan

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 15, 2026 04:41 PM PHT

Read More:

Manila Cathedral

Lent

Preparations

Roman Catholic

Ash Wednesday

Muslim

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