Undas in the eyes of the Filipinos
It’s that time of the year once again – that in the middle of a term and all the stress, everyone takes a break. A break for someone that might have rested only recently or a long time ago.
It has been a tradition for the Filipinos to “celebrate” Undas. But why celebrate? It is because those who passed away is now being remembered and prayed for. There was a myth that was once told that said that the soul of the departed await in purgatory, and prayers help them ascend to heaven. This, this explains the spirits which are assumed to still be wandering on land for they are yet in need to be remembered and prayed for.
Carrying this belief, Undas paved way for the Filipinos to pray and think of their departed loved ones.
For Filipinos who live away from their homes, every Undas, they make sure to go home to their hometown to be able to visit their family and their beloved ones who have already departed. This is also one of the reasons why Filipinos liken Undas to a celebration for it can result to a sudden reunion of families and friends.
It is a practice for every Filipino to leave early for Undas, which is why most school administrations and non-government sectors declare the latter part of October as the beginning of Undas break. In those days, every mode of public transportation is either fully booked or marked on a first come, first serve basis. It is that time of the year when people rush just to get where they are, hence, Undas must be planned and budgeted wisely.
Undas in Philippine context does not only limit to remembering the departed, but also a time to celebrate Halloween. Come October 30-31, little kids (even big ones) celebrate this spooky event. This celebration, however, did not originate in the Philippines, but the Filipinos adapted it. Dressed up in different scary-looking costumes, you would hear them screaming, “Trick or Treat, Happy Halloween po!” door to door, from house to house. Answers are either “patawad” which literally means sorry or “I don’t have anything to give to you”. But if lucky enough, someone will give them treats, either money or sweets.
Did it ever come to a point when you confused All Saint’s Day from All Soul’s Day or vice-versa? Most Filipinos are muddle which is which, and when the former or latter is commemorated. November 1st is All Saint’s Day, one of the happiest feast days of the Church. On the other hand, November 2nd is All Soul’s Day, the designated day to really commemorate our beloved departed. But there is no wrong or proper date to remember our loved ones, hence, it is a tradition for Filipinos to put up candles outside their homes as a sign of remembering and prayer offering—this mostly applies to the families who do not visit cemeteries during Undas. However, there are those who confuse the two events which is why some Filipinos tend to put up candles on both nights—although it isn’t much of a problem.
Finally, what is Undas if we don’t visit our cherished departed ones in the cemeteries? It is a tradition for the Filipinos that during Undas, they don’t limit to just visiting their tomb or their mausoleums. Some make an effort to clean them and some may sleep there too, because for most of them, Undas is the only opportunity they have to make time for the people who are dear to them.
As the Undas break draws to a close, the remaining days is traditionally spent to have quality time with the family. For Filipinos, families always come first and blood would always be thicker than water. That is why, whatever the context of the Undas break would mean to each one of us, as Filipinos, we believe that it is best spent with family.
