All Saints day and All souls day are two significant days in the Philippines. Same is through in other nations predominated by Christians and Catholics that believe in the days of the deads. Each of these nations celebrates and commemorates in diverse kinds in accordance to its respective customs and traditions. Some have festivals while others have it in an earnest manner.
Most Filipinos are having cook-outs as offering to the living and the dead. Some Pinoys come visit one's house to eat. Often, foods and flowers are offered for the souls, placed on top of or by the graves and or on the altars of each homes with candle lit. It is believed that the souls of the dead are coming back to visit their love ones, eat and get what are offered for them, too. I know that this sounds tremendously insane for non-believers but this is how it has been hundreds of years ago and is still practiced til today.
As a Catholic, November 1 and 2 are very special days for me and my family back home. Mainly, these days are intended to commemorate the people whom we believe are now in Heaven with God. On the very first day, November 1, some members in the family are off to the cemetery to clean the graves while on the second day, November 2, is a sort of a reunion for the family of two to three generations. Basically, the second day is to light candles and offer a prayer for the souls of our love ones as well as offer foods, flowers and other stuff that they used to like when they were still animating. Talking to them is part of and completes the day.
Meanwhile, this time of the year saddens me so bad. I lost two of the most important people in my life recently. Uncle Boy passed away in December last year while Mama(grandmother) followed in June this year. I am so not over with it yet. All Souls Day reminds me so much of them and the hearbreaking times I had during the wake and even months after burial. Papa (grandpa) died a decade ago and he still is in my heart and mind. Life has to move on and all I can do is offer a prayer. I will make it up (visit their graves) next year when I am home.
In the other hand, All Saints Day or All Souls day are so different here in America. I noticed that the days of the dead are all for fun. Halloween decorations and Halloween parties are everywhere. Trick or treat comes follow. I am really not into it but then I have to compel myself to embrace the custom just for the hell of my family and their American culture. I feel not the essence of All souls day here and I am not so happy about it. And if only I can, I'd rather go back to my homeland, Philippines to celebrate where All Souls day is very well remembered not for the living but for the dead.
I intend peace. All that you read above are traces of my experience and opinion about what I see around.
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4 responses:
i missed my family in philippines whenever holidays is here..
Thank you so much for explaining to this American expat that has just moved to the Philippines with my beautiful Filipina wife the significance of these two days. I am so glad you have a link that I can use in my blog tomorrow where your words can so much better express what these days mean to a Filipino. I really enjoyed reading your blog. Salamat.
me too...I missed all the family gatherings....
came here to visit and drop the EC...and btw, I would like to ask a favor if you could help us vote for my daughter...if you have time....your help is much appreciated....thanks!
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Lir, d ko kalimot anang kalagkalag ba kay year 2005 wala jud ko kaadto tambay sa cementeryo, da gibisita ko sang kalag sa kwarto,naka feel jud kog ayo,as in..nanggahi jud ko sa kahadlok...mao importante jud na bisitahon cla sa adlaw nga na.
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