It was a quiet Saturday morning last week, as I say at my computer sending my Nap story to Sir Bob. I heard scurrying throughout the house, as preparation were being made to head off to the bone yards to observe the “Day of the Dead, All Souls Day, All Saints Day which it is based upon the Spanish “El Día de los Muertos” I first learned of the way it was conducted while in Spain, and saw it again in Puerto Rico, many Caribbean Islands and in Central and South America, plus the US South West and Florida, and anywhere with a good sized Latino population, and of course here in the Philippines.
In each section of the World that I have been, it is celebrated in many and varying ways according to local customs. In Puerto Rico and South America, it is first of course a religious day. But the night before, it is treated as a Holiday with music, dancing and strong drink. Here in the Philippines it is far more subdued and more of a family day held in reverence for their dear departed.
There is the cleaning of the grave yards, the repainting of the “Grave Signs” (head stones), plus the maintenance of the crypts. It was pointed out to me that drink was forbidden; albeit it does happen sometimes, but a far cry from my memories of the day from long ago, Halloween in the US is the substitute for this day. For reasons I don’t understand.
So my wife and daughter are preparing themselves with the rest of the family to make the trek to the two cemeteries where their dear departed are interned. The old one in Olongapo City on the Zig Zag heading to the Barrio, and the one within walking distance here in Tipo Bataan. The Olongapo is reserved for the morning visit, in the afternoon the car will be parked and a procession to the Grave Yard will take place on foot bring vast quantities of food and (SOFT) drink, this will last until sunset, when the Grave yard will be returned to the domain of the “White Ladies”.
Paul the Kano will choose to remain at Casa Mayang, to read and sleep the day away, I was raised Catholic but this day belongs to my family and not me. Yes other Kanos will choose to attend and I say that is well and good, a decision best left up to them and theirs. Now if I was in Puerto Rico… that would be a horse of a different color…
I have always considered this the real beginning of Filipino Christmas as the following week the preparations really get started. The merchants started back in July but they are only in it for the Pesos.
It’s well over now let the Christmas Season begin. Oh I have permission from the US Senate to refer to it as Christmas once more I was so tired of the term, “Holiday trees” anyway. It’s funny how the other side believes in unicorns and rainbows but nor reindeer.
Folks, Are you confused yet. I wrote this but Bob and I were lucky to even get it posted at all, First I sent Sir Bob the wrong article but the right pictures, then my internet went all Y2K on me and I couldn’t correct it. Then at 0300 this morning I got it sent and Bob rushed to get it on line. But know one and all it was 100% my mix up but Bob was able to solve the problem.
Thank you Mr. Martin
Ah, my mess up! Sorry about that! I just fixed the problem.
Bob;
And I thought I explained it so well, plus I took all the blame (Justly So) (LOL)
Reminds me of the movie Beverly Hills Cop when Axel Foley was lying through his teeth to the Chief to cover for his buddies and the other ones were being as noble and stepped up!
Good stuff by all of you! You both provided me something to chuckle about – thanks!
Bill
Bill;
In the Navy if you quickly fessed up, it went much easier on you, it was the same way at home with my four brothers around. It’s a habit in my life.
Interesting comment Paul.
I’ve intuitively applied that principle with my kids all along.
In short, yes we all make mistakes. That’s life. What’s important is to recognize them, fix them, learn, and then we can go on to make _new_ mistakes. 🙂
ED;
New mistakes are the most fun, as you should have learned from the old ones.
You’re absolutely right Paul. Problem is that it’s virtually impossible to prevent loved ones from repeating existing mistakes until they eventually learn for themselves – at our expense.
Ed;
Kinda’ like hitting your hear with a hammer over and over, it will only feel good when you stop. That’s how I explained it to my family and they have seemed to get the point.
Hey Bob/Paul LOL I loved All Saints day there in the Philippines.
It really gave me the whole “things are a little bit different here then in the US” but maybe in a good way too.
Recently I gave the “All Saints day” a real thought. Three weeks ago at Halloween, a few blocks from my house here in the US there was about 3000 College Kid’s converged on my neighborhood and even though I think it started out innocent, it turned into a full fledged riot. They destroyed cars and a college bus, The police had to clear the neighborhood and there was 3 tear gas bombs and some people was seriously hurt. And I was thinking? Why do this have to happen to celebrate?
I remember when I arrived in the night to attend the All Saints day there in Cebu, there was at least that many people there at that celebration. In a small place like Tabogon Cebu, No one got assaulted, no police was called or needed. And no one got hurt.
Miss the Philippines a lot Bob/Paul
PS I was right in the Middle of my Response when I thought What?? i refreshed my browser then I seen the corrections.
James;
I know what you mean; Bob is a rocket when it comes to speedy website fixing. In Puerto Rico, Central and South America it is a huge party, but again I never heard of a riot and drinking was involved. Recently in New Hampshire .they went nuts at a Pumpkin Festival, idiots one and all.
As Nov 1st was rapidly approaching < gave some thought to my wife's annual visit to he cemetery. I was planning to go with her but then along came Little Stephane. She is such a joy and and happy addition to my little family and I considered that at age two she was not really old enough to understand what November 1st and 2nd were all about so I told my wife Susan that instead of dragging her to the cemetery for an extended period of boredom and restlessness, that I would stay at home with my little girl and celebrate her new addition to the family instead. Susan understood and decided to do the same. A firsts for her since we have been Married. the day went well with good food biscuit treats (Read cookies here) and a few beverages that were age appropriate for each of us. It was much more fun than going to the cemetery and Stephane just love the attention. I don't think I will be able to pull that off again next year but you can bet I will try!
Joe;
As I pointed out what is good for you and yours is just that, good for you and yours. My grandson at 2.5, went but he seemed to enjoy it according to the pictures but then as with me a nap was involved, so he slept through the most boring parts..
But I really don’t think your plan will hold water next year, but for sure like you, I’d give it a try.
Mr. Paul T. You spoke a lot about Puerto Rico (Borinquen), may I suggest you write something about the “Paranda” when you were stationed at Roosie Roads. For me, even though I am of different faith, Puerto Rico has one of the best christmas celebrations (even though I skipped the “lechon asao” but not the “alcapurias” ..and como siempre, Ron Llave (not Bacardi.) Stay healthy there and enjoy your Cerveza San Miguel..even though I prefer Corona Extra. Salud, Compa. 🙂
Jose;
I was offered a lot of duty stations for my last tour in the Navy, I picked Puerto Rico because I went to High School in Boston with them and also served in the Navy with Many folks from the Island and wanted to see what the big deal was, well it was such a big deal I stayed 7 more years after retiring from the Navy. I loved the Island and the people, pretty much the same when I came back to the Philippines after being gone for 25 years. BTW I only drank two rums there Don “Q” and Ron de Barreliro (The original Spiced Rum)
Good choice of rum. Yes, there are lots of similarities between PR (Puerto Rico) and RP (Republic of the Philippines.) There are also lots of Pinoys married to Boricua women. They are around Ceiba and Naguabo . Glad you enjoyed your tour of duty in Borinquen..land of the Tainos and Coquís.
Jose;
A great place to retire but those pesky hurricanes like Hugo in 1989 will cause one to travel.
Paul T. Not only hurricanes such as Hugo but those pesky “mee-mees” . By the way, a bottle of Barrilito Rum would cost you a whopping 25 dollars here in Southeastern New England (the 3- star kind) and will cost you more somewhere else here on the mainland. Enjoy your Tanduay. 🙂
$25 is a bargain compared to Canada.
Reminds me of Cuba in the mid 90’s. I said “you have good beer”. She said “we have good rum too and it’s $1 a bottle”. I handed her $2 and said “go get some”.
Tanduay was about $1/bottle in Phils 2001. Taxes and Inflation since then. $2 now. Grabe!
Ed;
Jose and I were referring to Tanduay 12 year old Superior “RUM” not bottom of the barrel Tanduay 5 year old RHUM, which is only good for cleaning machinery.
Paul, actually I personally enjoy the occasional 8-year-oid “Primero” Tanduay. Huge difference from the variety you mention that’s marginally suitable for pouring over open wounds. Unfortunately Primero has now disappeared from all the local groceries.
ED
The Primero is okay, if you can’t locate the 12 year old Superior. But then both are Rum’s, vice Rhum which is never any good.
Paul, I’m probably one of those rare Pinoys who find eating at the boneyard on All Soul’s Day unpleasant to say the least. I know I would not be able to disassociate from my mind the bones of the dead with the bone marrow soup, or any kind of beef dish with bones in it that are set on top of the dead person’s tomb, no less.
As you suggested, I will be bringing my redundant calculator at Texas Joe’s for Randy to count the number of rum and cokes you consume after the SMB LOL at around lunchtime on Saturday, December 13th. Is that good?
John;
Let me see, it’s a Saturday and it’s in December I’ve checked my social calendar and it seems to be free as most of my days are. (lol) I’ll be there and no Boneyards are close to Texas Joe’s.
Paul –
Excellent! I’ll have Texas Joe’s T-bone steak then without having to worry about word associations! LOL
Is there anything I can bring you in the way of pasalubong that is “genuine Stateside” (not a colorum, I mean) LOL that you can’t find at the Subic Freeport?
Presumably “Texas Joe’s” is no where remotely within walking distance of the middle of Cotabato?
T-bone steaks! ?!? Nothing remotely resembling such in any restaurant around here. I have had my ‘baka tindero’ provide me a rack, but around here “aging” (of beef) is strictly the few *hours* between when it was moo-ing and when you pick it up. Obviously around you want to pick it up fast because it doesn’t keep particularily well in the heat; if you’re not sure, try leaving it in the daytime heat for just a few extra *hours*. Your dog might be happy but you won’t be. Leave it for a few extra hours and your dog won’t touch it either.
So where’s this Texas Joe’s around here that has edible T-bones, within walking distance?
I keep looking but haven’t spotted any such yet.
My eyesight isn’t what it used to be before I became a “senior”, I finally bought ‘reading glasses” that I now resort to for dinky-font in the dark. If you’re not sure what “dinky-font” is, turn off all the lights at midnight and try reading a large-city NA phone-book these days (or the “fine-print” of any legal contract).
For you out there in the middle of nowhere, Texas Joe’s is just an imaginary watering hole. Move in closer to civilization, and you might find that “edible” T-bone steak.
Ah! Ok John, thanks for the clarification.
Strange that we moved away from where all that was readily available, to the middle of nowhere. Lose some amenities, gain a bit better or at lease ‘different’ life from the NCA.
Another 10 years here and this place will sport a McDo too! 🙂
Real steak … well, I’m cogitating on how to make that happen.
I can however ‘arrange’ tenderloin at 180/kg – just pick it up fast and don’t even dream about NA-style “aging”; learn the limitations, prepare as best possible and have a great meal at home. It’s a big chunk of beef, so it just needs to wait for a spare 2k budget allotment, which is fine whenever I can do that since we do have a freezer to preserve it for months.
More immediate, making arrangements to *make* real sausages, which should be much easier. Which reminds me, I need to print out some recipes and hand them over to my selected palengke tindera, then ‘arrange’ it over a few weeks and … hopefully 🙂 !
Ed
This is how I’ve been making sausage here for 20 years, even now that Jimmy Dean sausage is here I still like this the best. (It is written for my wife to understand (Big & Little Spoon)
Farmer’s Breakfast Sausage
2 Kilo ground pork
4-teaspoon salt (Little Spoon)
1-1/2 teaspoon white pepper (or black) (Little Spoon)
1-Teaspoon nutmeg (Little Spoon)
1-Tablespoon thyme (Big Spoon)
2-1/2 Teaspoon Sage (Little Spoon)
3-teaspoon ginger (Little Spoon)
1-cup ICE water
2-tablespoon crushed red peppers (pizza peppers) (Big Spoon)
Mix all ingredients well, cover and chill in Ref. For 12 hours.
Mix again next day (or the end of 12 hours)
Form into patties or leave in bulk, (ice bags work well for bulk)
John;
Thank you for the offer, but all is fine here, after watching TV the past couple of days I can’t think of a lot that my country could offer…
Mr. Paul T. I was rolling on the floor here laughing about the “big spoon” and “little spoon” .. That kind of measurements I could easily follow. From New England, Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and to your family. ( We’re having a Nor’easter right now…still remember what a Nor’eastah’ is?) 🙂
Bob, all well said and written, including your comment:
“It’s funny how the other side believes in unicorns and rainbows but nor reindeer.”
Though we still must be tolerant of such here, all that ‘back there’ is yet another good reason to be where we now live.
Ed;
Fact one Paul wrote this as explained above. To be far from those Unicorn herders is a wonderful thing.
Hi Bob,
Do your books cover the topic of how to start an import/ export business out of the P.I.?
Have a Happy Thanksgiving. May it be fun filled and peaceful with all the trafional favors of both countries. God bless.
Scott…
Hi Scott,
No, that is not something I have done, and would not have the expertise to write about it. If it were me, my recommendation would be that import/export is a tough business, and I would avoid it, but that is a personal choice.
Hi Paul,
Nice article! I like your point that just because The Day of the Dead graveyard visitation is not for you personally that does not mean you don’t respect those who engage in it. I think a lot of people think that if someone says something is not for them that they are sayng it is a bad thing. You made yourself crystal clear and I like your attitude.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jay;
Live and let live, is always the way to go.