It’s this time of the year again. The eerie and scary feeling is in the air again. It’s All Saints’ Day, Araw ng mga Patay, or what is called in the provinces as Undas. Yes, undas. I sort of got accustomed to this term as it was the term used in San Isirdro, Nueva Ecija (my parents’ hometown). I do not even know how Araw ng mga Patay become Undas in tagalog term or some may say as “malalim” as they are not familiar with the term (or is it even tagalog?). How does Araw ng mga Patay become Undas? I have not thought of researching about it. Wait. Time to research! Google it! Haha! Seriously? Yes! Well, no exact reference for the origins of the word. The nearest was that it is a tradition inherited from Mexico in honoring the dead and it is supposed to be from an “Spanish word” meaning to honor (not tagalog after all!). Wait! November 2 is All Souls’ Day (Araw ng mga Kaluluwa). Then why do we honor our dead during November 1? Saints should be honored then. Even the Spanish term is obvious about that: Todos los Santos. And another thing, Halloween is not the same with All Saints’ Day. Halloween is an American tradition celebrated on October 31 not November 1. Halloween seems to be a commercial corruption of honoring the dead.
Whatever the case, Araw ng mga Patay (literal translation in English: Day of the Dead) is a national holiday in our country and it is commemorated every 1st day of November to honor dead loved ones. It is the day of having the feeling again of being with the departed family members. Nowadays, it also serves one purpose – reunions – as relatives meet again after a while. I have nothing against the reunion aspect of November 1. It’s a form of family love and bonding. But others seem to equate this day with having a picnic. They light a candle for the dead and leave it there. Then, they get busy more with chika and food. Araw ng mga Patay is not about picnics. It is nice that you light a candle for the dead but please do say a prayer for their souls (do offer flowers too - even the simple gumamela will do). This day afterall is about honoring them. And what better way to do that? Come on! November 1 is not about playing with melted candle wax and creating a ball out of it. Give respect to the dead. That’s all what is asked for this Araw ng mga Patay.
Respect and pay tribute to the departed before they come haunting you! Happy All Saints’ Day! (Hey, visiting the dead does not have to haunted, scary, or sad; you are after all with your loved ones. They may have departed but they are family!)
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