2 November 2025
Time flies really fast. It's already November! I need to pack my things now and run away. Not for a vacay, but to avoid my Godchildren and niblings this coming Christmas 🤣. Kidding aside. Before it happens, we Filipinos need to celebrate our All Souls' Day tradition. This is my second year celebrating this tradition after working abroad for quite long years.
The 1st and 2nd of November are the celebrations of All Souls' Day in the Philippines, but not sure in other parts of the world. It's one of the important celebrations in our country because it's when families reunite to celebrate the souls of the family members who have passed away. It's also a day to remember the cherished moments with them when they were still in the world.
Visiting the Cemetery
Part of our custom during All Souls' Day is visiting cemeteries. But a week before this day is spent cleaning the tombs and mausoleums of loved ones. My brother spent more than a week putting up a roof over my father's grave so he would no longer be soaked every time the sky poured, and we have a decent place to stay during this celebration or whenever we want to visit him.
We can visit our loved ones on the 1st or 2nd day of November, depending on our preference, but the 2nd day is the actual day. This year, we chose the 1st day because it has fewer crowds in the cemetery. The 2nd day, which is the actual day, is always packed.
Our public cemetery is already crowded with graveyards; imagine if there are people as well. Gladly, my father's place isn't in the hillside part of the cemetery, which is too crowded.
We bought a piece of land on the other side, with fewer crowds, but it still offers a better view from the top of the hill. The only challenge is the climb, not for us younger ones, but for my mom, grandmother, and older family members.
My late father's everyday view.
On the actual day, which is today on our side of the world, cemeteries become lively. Graveyards have family gatherings filled with food and laughter, and stories. Some families even go camping on the first night to welcome the second day in the cemetery. But overnight stays at some big cemeteries are already restricted, though.
Lighting Candles, Prayer, Food Offerings
We light candles during this celebration to remember our loved ones and pray for their souls. Sometimes, we do it at home in front of the small altars we've made for our relatives who have passed away.
My mother also lit some candles in front of the cemetery church. They said that those are for all the souls in the cemetery, not just for a specific one, especially those who have been forgotten.
I feel pity seeing some graveyards that haven't been cleaned and have no lit candles. That means no one remembered to visit them.
Food is always part of any celebrations and gatherings in our country, and All Souls' Day is no exception. We always prepare some food before visiting the cemetery, and offer some to our loved ones.
Usually, we prepare some kakanin like puto or rice cake, and, of course, pansit or vermicelli is always present at any celebrations. I made some cheese puto, and my mom cooked the pansit and pan-fried chicken.
My sister made a heart-shaped puto for our father.
We don't need a fancy preparation for this event, although some wealthy families hire catering services for the celebration.
A fancy celebration was happening in the mausoleum with a green roof.
What matters for us is that we have something to share with the spirits of our loved ones.
In some provinces, people even leave food on the table outside overnight, believing that the souls of loved ones will be visiting.
The sun was so bright when we got to the cemetery. But later in the afternoon, the rain poured. There's a tropical storm coming to the Philippines, and it will hit our province, which is another reason why we chose to celebrate early.
After the rain, a beautiful view appeared in the sky. Just like different families gathered in the cemetery, its different colors come together to create something beautiful. Good things can really come after a storm.
We stayed at my father's graveyard the whole day, shared food , laughter, and stories, and made sure my father wouldn't be lonely on this event. We bid goodbye and walked home, which is just a few distances from the cemetery. The day ended with a beautiful sunset ❤️.
Despite modern changes, All Souls' Day in our country remains the same. It is a time spent for togetherness, remembrance, and reflection. Some even traveled far just to be reunited with their families and visit family members in cemeteries, like those working in big cities across the country.
This event reminds me that death may take a person away, but love and memory remain and bring us closer together.
To all people celebrating this event on their sides of the world, happy All Souls' Day!
Thanks for your time.
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Jane is a Filipina wanderer in a foreign land who finds comfort in nature and freedom in writing. She loves watching raw picturesque landscapes, listening to the symphony of nature, breathing in drops of sunshine, walking through scenic trails and cityscapes, tasting new culinary flavors, capturing pretty little things, venturing into hidden gems, and dancing with the flow of life.
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