A man in North Cotabato, a province on Mindanao island, died on Friday after he climbed up a coconut tree to pick palm fronds in time for Palm Sunday celebrations.
Jonald Silvano of Midsayap, North Cotabato, was believed to have been hired by an unknown person to get the fronds, which are used for the traditional blessing of palms on the Christian holiday, which took place yesterday.
According to radio station Bombo Radio, he was paid PHP400 (US$7.65) to pick the leaves, which are typically available to buy inside churches for PHP20 (US$.38).
He was on top of a tree by a national highway along Baranga Poblacion 8 in Midsayap when a frond he was holding got caught in an electric post’s live wire.
According to ABS-CBN News, the voltage was too high, so Silvano lost consciousness and was found, still alive, hanging from a tree branch. Below, is a video posted by Facebook user Steff James Cariño on Friday showing government officials and rescuers from the electric power company rescuing Silvano from the tree.
Silvano died shortly after on the way to the hospital.
The Philippines is a deeply Catholic nation and still gives much importance to religious traditions. Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, the last week of the Lent. It marks a week of solemnity for Filipinos who usually get half of the week off to observe religious services.
