How do you observe All Soul's Day?
By TheAdvocate
@TheAdvocate (2392)
Philippines
October 30, 2010 6:47pm CST
Since my grandparents died more than a decade ago, my entire family would spend the day in the cemetery, eating and praying together. Lucky for me we live nearby, and so I just walk to the cemetery. If you want to ride, you will have to go around since the road leading to the cemetery is one-way. It's fun people-watching in the cemetery, seeing how people celebrate the lives of the dead.
What about you, how does your family celebrate All Soul's Day?
2 people like this
7 responses
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
Is there a reason for preparing sticky rice? I mean any cultural or traditional implications? That's interesting to me always. What province are you from?
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
As I am writing this, I am at my desk working. It seem our account is the only one in the building. I guess they are all at the cemetery by this time. I wasn't able to go to our province for All Soul's Day because the last time we did, we had a hard time getting a ride going back home.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
I take it you are a call center agent then?
The news says that there are not a lot of people going home to the province because a lot of people went home last week already during the baranggay elections. In fact, the porters at the port are complaining of the slow business. Even the bus stations have been fielding buses that were not filled-up.
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
4 Nov 10
when I was young we will go to the cemetery where my grandparents were buried.It is on Alabang. That is the farthest cemetery i had been when it is All souls day. Now that I grow old I only stay at home and that is not a good idea to me when i go out and go in the cemetery during All souls day. It changed my views and I just want to spend a time with my family and give prayers for the soul of the passing relatives and to prepare a lighted candle for them at the door. We also prepare food for the souls.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
31 Oct 10
since it is always traffic during the exact day, we go to the cemetery a week earlier. relatives knows this date already that we do yearly. we also bring pack lunch and we put big tents and even have our halloween costume party as well. after the party and the eating we pray. that is how we observe it and on the exact day we pray at home and light a candle again.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
So its a blend of the east and the west for your family, that's really cool. I think your family's decision to celebrate a week earlier is sound - you have the cemetery to yourselves, no traffic and flowers have not yet skyrocketed.
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
31 Oct 10
hi theadvocate,
it is supposed to be spiritually and solemnly celebrated.. gathering of relatives and friends in the cemetery to pray and remember the dearly departed.
but it is no longer celebrated like that now. more are having fun and are just there to eat and be merry.
it is no longer for the saints and the souls if one would analyze.
that is why i dont stay long there anymore. after i have said my prayers and have rested a few minutes, i leave and stay in the house and light a candle again.
maybe i am very conservative? old fashioned?
ann
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
2 Nov 10
Hello Advocate,
I was supposed to respond to this topic three days ago. but i got so busy with grandfathers tomb. For three days I've been going back and forth into the cemetery. 30th i went there to take out grass, 31st it was his birthday so i had to paint the letterings in his tomb. Night before Nov.1st decided to prepare materials for the tent. that last day was amazmazing because i got a tent and my family enjoyed staying there, most specially because there is also rain there. i think i can do it next year.
