Halloween, as Americans know it, is not celebrated in the Philippines, however, there are Halloween costume competitions for children in the various malls and in some of the bars that are popular with younger people. At the stroke of midnight on the night of October 31, some of the rural cemeteries begin having visitors! They are not aswang, other ghouls, witches, vampires or zombies but they are family members who will begin an all night vigil, mourning and remembering their dearly departed family members. This is All Saints Day in the Philippines! Some of the mid-size and large cities have passed ordinances to curtail some of the cemetery festivities but in the rural areas of the Philippines, known as the Province, this long time Filipino tradition prevails.
All Saints Day
November 1 is officially All Saints Day in the Philippines. While some begin the tradition and celebration at the stoke of midnight, others begin at sunrise. Some expats refer to this holiday as the Day of the Dead. November 1 is normally a non-working holiday and in 2013, Saturday, November 2 is a special non-working holiday. Why not? After spending so many hours in the family cemeteries, most employees would be too tired to put in a productive day at work!
During two days in the cemetery, preparations are made for the long festivities. Tombs and headstones are cleaned, repaired and beautified. Candle lighting in memory of the deceased family members is part of the tradition. Some make offerings of prayers, songs, food, flowers, alcohol and tobacco. These solemn rites are replaced with more fun type activities as the night and day wears on! Of course, there is food and alcoholic drinks (where permissible) for the living. Public gambling is normally permitted, with card games and mahjong the most popular games of chance in the cemeteries. A festival is not a festival without music! Other than soft guitar music and songs of a Gospel nature, other types of songs are sometimes involved in the celebration. Have you ever seen karaoke in a cemetery? Where there are electric power outlets, people bring extension cords, a monitor and the Magic Mic for sing-along! Sounds like fun yeah?
My wife’s family cemetery is located south of Bacolod, about one hour drive. Yes, we are going on November 1, as it is a very important holiday and celebration in the Philippines. Some family members travel great distances to be with family on All Saints Day. One of my wife’s sisters and her two daughters are visiting us from Manila this week.
Funerals
Due to my large extended Filipino family, I have attended more funerals during the past 4 years than I attended the previous 45 years in my lifetime! Seriously! Religious beliefs are very powerful in the Philippines and when a loved one passes away, it is not a rush job as in the USA. There is usually a 7-10 day wake before the funeral. Family members and friends walk slowly behind the funeral car, as it carries the dearly departed from the wake site to the funeral service. This custom is often repeated from the church to the cemetery, provided it is not too many kilometers away.
Cemeteries are a very important part of the Filipino culture and the memory of the dead lives on. All Saints Day is a time honored tradition in the Philippines and as an expat, you will experience it if you are living here or visiting for extended periods. Are you ready?
Great explaination. I learn new things all the time, many thanks.
Hi Rick,
I am glad you found my article to be informative. You are welcome.
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~
My wife has been selling water, soft drinks and snacks in a Las Piñas cemetery since Oct. 28. Some people spend almost a week in them living among the stones and above ground cement block vaults.
Over the past several days, the conversation arose about squatters living in the cemeteries year round! I had forgotten about that, as I recall it now from years ago when I was living in Manila. Squatters are living in the Burgos Cemetery in Bacolod City and I just learned that the last few days.
One of the most unusual vendors during the All Saints Festival is the one across the street from Bacolod Memorial Cemetery! The vendor is from St Peter Life Plan and he has a pink colored casket on display for photo taking. Many people want to have their photo taken inside the pink casket! I will pass on that *fun* activity.
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~
Terrific article. The first All Saints Day I experienced was in 2008 in Sindangan, Mindanao. I was honestly very surprised. Usually in America cemeteries are quiet and a bit depressing. But on this day I was amazed at the festive atmosphere….and I actually liked it. While I am not a religious person I respect the religious beliefs of others.
I think America, and most likely other countries, could learn a thing or two from filipinos about days like this.
My first, and only so far, All Saints Day was a pretty amazing experience…and just one of the many reasons I truly love the Philippines.
Thank you much, Todd. We spent two days outside of Bacolod in my wife’s hometown. All Saints Day is also a family reunion in her family, as relatives traveled from as far away as Manila to be with family for the Festival of the Dead.
Yesterday, we drove to La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and the cemeteries were still full of people as late as last evening. Down the road from the main cemetery in Bago City, Negros Occidental, was an actual carnival! We saw the bright lights of the Ferris Wheel and the Tilt-A-Whirl last evening from about 1/2 km away.
So true, that the Philippines is unlike the USA, where people *may* visit their family cemetery once per year for Decoration Day and and that is only because they feel like it is a forced obligation!
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~