What are your plans for All Souls’ Day or “Kalag-kalag”? Every November 2nd, is All Souls’ Day(Undas in Tagalog), the day when Filipinos traditionally remember our loved ones who have passed away. Some believe that the origins of All Souls’ Day in European folklore and folk belief are related to customs of ancestor veneration, practiced worldwide, through events such as, in India Pitru Paksha, the Chinese Ghost Festival, the Japanese Bon Festival.
For Catholics, it is observed as a day to commemorate their departed loved ones, who, based on the Catholic belief, has not yet reached Heaven. It is a day when we pray for their souls to finally rest and be with the Lord. Most religions have a belief in life after death, and this day is also know as the Day of Remembrance of the Dead. The commemoration of Halloween, a western practice, is also adapted, as the time for ghost stories or scary pranks or stunts.
Most Filipinos honor the dead loved ones and visit the graves of deceased relatives and friends in the cemeteries. For various reasons, some families prefer to go on Oct. 31st or Nov. 1st, while some go to the cemetery for three straight days. Others would spend the night at their loved ones in mausoleums. Usually, cleaning, repainting or beautifying the tombs, lighting up candles, offering of flowers, and saying prayer for the souls of the departed, are done, during this period.
“Kalag-kalag” for most Filipinos is a festive celebration, even if this day ought to be a solemn tribute for our departed loved ones. It is celebrated as a happy time, combined with prayer breaks, because Filipinos are happy people, they have the belief that we want our loved ones to be happy also as we pay them a visit or remember them, with our prayers.
This is bonding time for families, relatives and friends with their children, since schools are on their semester break, so, families to spend time together. Children would play with their cousins as the adults would exchange stories and play cards or mahjong (a game that originated in China). No gathering is complete, everyone sets the table for the various dishes cooked and brought as in a picnic. It usually includes the deceased loved one’s favorite dish, the plate of favorite food, is placed in front of the tomb or grave as offering for the soul of our relatives and friends. All the food including the food offerings are consumed by all the living relatives and friends present.
While most people go back to their home provinces for All Souls’ Day, for those who are not able to go home, they go to the church to light candles or just have a gathering on one of the relatives ‘ homes, for food and prayers.
This time, we pay special tribute to those who gave up their lives, in defense of our country, especially Civilians, Soldiers and Policemen, who lost their lives, in the Marawi siege.
Let us storm the heavens to protect the Filipino nation from the claws of terrorism!
Happy all souls’ day!
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com
