This week is one of the biggest holiday weeks of the year here in the Philippines. Probably the only week with more holidays than this week is Holy Week (the week before Easter). Out of the normal 5 day week, there are 3 holidays this week! That’s right. Monday was election day for Barangay and SK elections here in the Philippines, and election day is an official holiday, so there was no school, and most businesses were closed. Tuesday and Wednesday are normal work days. All Saint’s Day is Thursday, November 1. Friday, November 2 is All Soul’s Day. Both Thursday and Friday are National Holidays, and virtually every store will be closed during this time. On Wednesday, as the eve of All Saint’s Day, many workers will work only a half day.
For All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days, many Filipinos will travel back to the Province where they came from. Starting on November 1, Filipino families will head to the cemeteries around the country to grieve for family members who have passed on ahead of them. Actually, grieve may be the wrong word for this, because it is really more of a celebration or a party. I can’t say that I fully understand the ritual, although I am aware of the goings on. People will actually bring chairs, tables, tents and such to the cemetery and they will “camp out” there for a couple of days. They will bring lots of food too – no celebration or holiday in the Philippines is complete without food! Plenty of people will bring beer or other types of drinks to the cemetery too, although I am not sure if that is really accepted. Whether drinking during this occasion is acceptable or not, lots of people do it. People will also bring boom boxes to play tunes at the cemetery. They will sing, dance and party the time away, right there at the grave sites of their ancestors.
Another ritual that I find interesting is that people will also “feed the dead.” What I mean is that they will get a plate, fill it with food, and leave it on the grave, so that the dead can also enjoy the party. It is very strange to me, but I know that this happens. I am quite sure that there are many other rituals that will be done as well, things that I have no idea about.
All of this is very foreign to me and my culture. It doesn’t affect me a great deal, though, because Feyma is not into this activity. So, we tend to just live our normal life during this time. Feyma does sometimes take a trip to visit her Father’s grave during this time, but just for a short visit, not a party or anything.
Well, I better go now… got to gear up for the holidays! 🙂
I went a few weeks ago to a really nice birthday party, the guy was not there though he was dead
But what a wonderful way of remebering a family member, I wish we did that in the UK.
….has the inkling of an Irish wake…..you mentioned everything but the brawls late in the evening and new friends with balck eyes in the morning ! Count me in !!
dang pubik skools ! 🙁
Hi Bob, our family will also "celebrate at the cemetery. My wife, my mother and I only tried to avoid to visit the graves during these days because of too many people. In our Philippine Community Berlin we experienced same. Anyway, thanks for your informative post.
Hi John – Actually, I've never heard of that before! The "death anniversary" is often celebrated like that, but I had not heard of a birthday celebration for a dead person. Interesting!
Hi Brian – I guess it is sort of similar to an Irish Wake. But, it happens year after year.
Hi Klaus – I don't think such things really happen at US Cemeteries, even among the Filipinos there. I could be wrong, though.
Hello Bob – enjoy the holiday!! i remember that we used to go to Kidapawan and visit my lola, but we dont do the usual (so called party) at the cemetery. BUt i do hear the same story….bringing beer & food at the cemetery……Funny isn't it, but i grew up & used to offering food to the dead as well..because my Lola would say "multuhon ta…." <")
however i heard that some cemetery are starting to implement some restrictions ….partying is not allowed anymore..
Hi marygrace – I never heard about those restrictions! Interesting!
sort of like "dia de los muertos" in the hispanic culture (day of the dead). the filipino culture is technically an asian-hispanic culture.
since i grew up in this culture, it really is quite easy for me to comprehend. remembering the departed doesn't have to be a somber and sad event. it is a good way of family getting together and enjoying the company every year. so it has become a festive thing, with a mix of the religious culture and fiesta habit filipinos are known for (drinks included).
also, walking around the cemetery during all-souls night, you get to see old friends in respective areas and you learn a great deal about their family too.
with the majority of the country in cemeteries at this time, businesses have become become savvy and have set up shop in the cemeteries as well. quite unusual but not surprising. i don't know what to make of a jollibee stand beside a gravesite though.
think of it as a typical family reunion in an american thanksgiving + camping + fiesta. oh, and the reliable pinoy traffic that goes with it.
i did not have a reason to visit when i was young but i would go to the cemeteries because it the was such a big event.
seeing faded black & white photos of great uncles, grandparents and such, it really was amazing how a long departed relative was still being remembered and prayed over. it even was a little reassuring that when my time comes, i will not be forgotten.
Hi Bob and everyone, happy All Saints and Souls Day(s).
I think it’s a fantastic tradition, sharing with those who have passed on before us.
Who know’s what the next life is like. Maybe they (the deceased) also attend this celebration albeit on a different frequency (or maybe it’s we are the ones on the different frequency) and just maybe they are allowed one occasion every whatever (year) where they can visit the ones they left behind (us) and have the time of their “lives” and this would be it for a lot of them.
I think tradition like this is sacred and should be left well enough alone by authorities to whoever wants to practice it. Obviously guns etc should not be allowed but people who carry them are breaking the law anyway, unless they have a permit.
Did you know the Catholic Church gives a special indulgance (Blessing) for visiting graves at this time (I’m not too sure about the partying part though)
Anyway for me it’s a huge thumbs up.
Hi Macky – I think that in my culture, we also remember the departed, but in a different way. For us, the cemetery is not the place for "celebration" although we can certainly celebrate the life of a departed family member in other ways.
Yes, I have seen the "Jollibee" and other businesses setting up stands at the cemetery, and it is another interesting aspect of All Saints/All Souls.
Today was my mom's birthday, she would have been 58 this year. We held a novena at my house and yes we had the small plate of food and drinks. I find the whole tradition to be most interesting and follows with Spanish Traditions about the "Day of the Dead". Later on we got inundated with Trick or Treaters and I took lots of pics. Check out my photo section here for the pics.
Bob,
I read in the Sun Star yesterday "POLICE will implement a liquor ban in all public cemeteries and memorial parks all over Davao City on November 1 and 2.
Bladed weapons, firearms, and loud music will also be prohibited in the cemeteries. "
For the full story here is the link. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2007/10/31/n…
My family is jewish and they light a specal candle that burns for 24 hours. You light one on the Anniversary of their death and one on a holiday for all dead. This is a reminder, when you see the candle, to reflect on the person.
Actually, this is one of “the holidays” that I missed from the Philippines. #8 post by Macky explains it well.
I just like to add – the reason why it's being done that way in the Phils. vs. here in the US and/or other countries:
1) First, cremation is not popular in the Phils., hence, the cemetery. For most people I know here in the US, cremation is the popular choice. Esp. if you’re an organ donor (i.e. as shown in your driver’s license), might as well be cremated 🙂
2) Majority of Filipinos are Catholic, hence, these 2 days are holiday. In my opinion, going to the cemetery is the best way of remembering the departed. I remembered doing novena and the rosary. Also, for most employees, it’s a paid holiday, so, no excuse why you can’t pay a visit to your dead loveones. Here, even in day care, you’re discouraged to say Christmas, to avoid “discriminating” other religions. At least, Christmas is a legal holiday (only Christian holiday) here. If I’m not mistaken, except for Catholics, unless you’re an “active” Christian, these 2 days are not popular here.
3) Weather – Not unless when it’s raining, you just don’t have an excuse why you can’t go to the cemetery. It’s too cold to be doing that here in northeast US, aside from we have work anyway.
4) Timing – for most college students, it’s their sem. break, so, just one thing to spend your break. Creepy huh! 🙂
Anyway, my father passed away in 2000. Though I always remember him, Bob’s post makes me think that probably in the future, I can schedule my visit during this period, spend the “holidays” there, and should be back in time in the US for thanksgiving. BUT, that means, I will miss Halloween here. And that’s another topic to talk about!
Lastly, I miss the food, esp. suman/biko. I know they're not good esp. if your diabetic, but we can indulge sometimes. 🙂 Then, you have a month to lose weight before Christmas comes!
Thanks for the topic Bob!
Hi Louis – Happy Birthday to your Mom! I know that she is already gone, but based on the way it works here in the Philippines where you are living now, I think it's appropriate to celebrate her life!
Hi Bruce – Yes, this is the first year that Davao will strictly enforce such restrictions at the cemeteries. We'll see how it goes! Davao is very different than other cities in the Philippines in this respect, and it extends to things like fireworks during other holidays and such too.
Hi Lea – Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I hope that someday soon you can be here during All Saints to honor your father's memory.
the Filipino's tend to pay a great deal of attention to the dead.
Hi Dee – Yep, I believe you are correct there!