Every year, Undas or All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days in the Philippines, brings Filipinos together in quiet tribute to lost loved ones. As families gather in cemeteries with candles and offerings, they strengthen bonds with both the departed and each other in a shared reflection.
Unlike the festive spirit of Christmas, Undas fills the Philippines with a somber yet profound unity as families honor the dead, transforming cemeteries into spaces of memory, prayer, and remembrance.
This tradition isdeeply rooted in the country’s history as a former Spanish colony and a predominantly Roman Catholic country. Every year on November 1 and 2, the Philippines seamlessly combines All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day observances.
The practice of commemorating the death of loved ones is deeply rooted in the involvement of time-honored rituals and customs passed down through generations, preserving shared memories and fostering a sense of connection to the past.
During Undas, families often join together to meticulously clean the graves of their loved ones, viewing this act as a profound demonstration of love and respect. The offerings of food, flowers, and candles embody the hope for eternal peace and blessings to envelop the souls of those who have passed, reinforcing the bond between the living and the departed in a touching expression of honor and remembrance.
However, the annual observance of Undas has also encountered several challenges that can heavily affect families coming together to pay respect to their departed loved ones.
According to the state weather bureau PAGASA, stronger storms during ‘Ber’ months are often associated with an increased frequency of powerful typhoons. This phenomenon is closely linked to El Niño, a climate pattern that tends to produce more intense storms, even though the overall number of typhoons may slightly decrease.
But Filipinos are known for their remarkable resilience and unwavering devotion. They hold a profound conviction that love inherently involves sacrifice, reflecting a deep sense of commitment to their family.
They have always believed that the living have a sincere obligation to pray for the souls of their departed loved ones, believing that these prayers can help them achieve salvation and peace. This tradition not only honors the memory of the deceased but also reinforces the bonds among the living as they gather to support one another in their shared grief and faith.
