All Saints and All Souls Day

All saints and all souls day are called undas in Tagalog and adlaw as mga minatay in Cebuano. It was celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 every year. It is the day when living people visit their loved ones, who are already dead, in the cemetery. During the visit, people clean the tombs and bring flowers for them, and also say prayers dedicated to the souls of their loved ones. Inside the cemetery, a Holy Mass was being hosted. During this holiday, families reunited. It serves as their family reunion since some gathered at their loved one's tombs.  Some people from different far places went home just to go to the cemetery. This is their way of showing their love for the dead ones. Even if they are already dead, they are still being remembered. While visiting, some families also brought foods as if it was fiesta. They brought lots of foods and drinks, and celebrated there while they are beside the tomb.

In our family on mother side, we gathered at their parents' house and had a simple dinner. I think, it was our first time to gather there for this holiday. Before we ate, we put foods and drinks at the altar of the house since it was one of the filipino beliefs that the souls during this day went home. After the dinner, we talked about a lot of things including the reason why we are having that dinner. My aunt told us that they were hosting the dinner since they were afraid of what happened last year, same day, happens again. Last year, when they woke up early in the morning, they found out that the altar was ruined. It was so messed up. Saint's small statue was down and flowers spread over the altar. They tried to tell it to the elders. It was said that their parents' souls (my grandparents' souls) got angry since they thought they forgot them. It was a little bit scary. We all had goose bombs while listening about that. Maybe, it was unbelievable but that was true since neighbors saw it including my other aunt. And well, at least, it didn't happen again.

For me, the pain is still here for losing my grandparents but we can do nothing. They are already dead. We can never restore their lives. All we can do is to pray for them that they will be happy whereever they are. May all the souls rest in peace!