Halloween is a holiday to be enjoyed. As October draws to a close, November 1 is waving! It is thought that on this day, the realms of the living and the dead will intersect, causing souls to return to our world. However, this same celebration is more commonly referred to as All Saints' Day and All Souls Day among Roman Catholics, or just simple UNDAS, where surprisingly Filipinos celebrate. Every year, the Philippines celebrates the first two days of November, when the 2-day Undas event takes place. It is a period set aside for prayers and remembering loved ones who have passed away.
These days are typically regarded as non-working holidays for Filipino families, though. As a result, for some, it turned into a chance to unwind and take a quick vacation from their demanding workdays. Prior to the Undas break, some people used this to remember their departed loved ones. But you shouldn't limit yourself to these occasions to remember your loved ones. In reality, it can be done impulsively and at any time. In light of all of this, if you want to use your so-called Undas vacation wisely, especially if you have a busy schedule, this is the appropriate guide for you. Here are some details on Undas and advice that will be useful as you strategically arrange the enjoyment of this little getaway.
Why is Undas Philippines being celebrated?
Roman Catholics have long observed numerous feast days to remember departed loved ones. As a result, certain days are set aside to honor canonized saints. All Saints' Day, however, evolved into a celebration honoring anyone who has passed away because of those common individuals who have passed away. All of the saints and characters in the Bible are saints.
However, there are some unique people who, as a result of their remarkable acts of kindness and miraculous feats, are canonized on Saints Day. However, the Roman Catholic Church set aside a day to honor all those who had passed away. Every year, this takes place on the first two days of November.
Useful Tips for Celebrating All Saints and All Soul’s Day
1. Prepare your visit with candles and bring flowers.
If you're heading to the cemetery, be sure to be prepared by packing your own candles, matches, and lighter, as well as pre-purchasing your offertory flowers.
Despite the fact that many industrious Filipinos readily offer prayers, flowers, food, and candles at the cemetery gate, the law of supply and demand may cause prices to increase. Plan ahead and make budgetary savings.
Experiencing exaggerated costs when there is a great demand for a product is nothing new. In order to take advantage of lower prices than in the real season, it is advisable that you purchase as much as you can before the Undas season.
2. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order.
There is less hassle if you drive because you won't have to worry about finding tickets. To ensure that your car is in good shape, you should have it inspected. The long drive back to your hometown will strain your car to the breaking point.
Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that it is in good shape to help you prevent accidents and lower the likelihood that you will run into trouble while traveling back to your hometown.
3. Travel at odd hours or purchase tickets in advance.
You shouldn't travel during peak hours or peak days if you intend to go back to your hometown to visit your deceased loved ones. Avoiding traffic in our nation can be accomplished in part by avoiding the regular travel times of the crowds.
To save time and effort when returning to your homeland, either you organize a vacation leave in advance or you travel when the majority of people have already arrived in their various provinces.
You must reserve a ticket in advance to save time and hassle if you don't have a car and must take public transportation, go by boat, or fly to your destination. There will be a brief shortage of tickets as a result of the great demand. Therefore, you must have your ticket before this season if you have additional money or can save up in advance.
4. Check for weather updates.
A rain shower during "Undas" is actually quite usual because the country is tropical and this is the typhoon and storm-prone Amihan season. Look at the weather report. Bring an umbrella, or even better, a sizable gazebo tent. In case the weather changes and becomes sunny instead, a rechargeable fan might also come in handy.
5. Visit the cemetery when it's not busy.
For those with no kids and busy schedules or those hoping to unwind over the holiday break, this tradition may be the best option for Undas. The seriousness you experience when visiting cemeteries during the off-season is one advantage. As you reflect on the memories and pray for your departed loved ones, you may easily concentrate and take in the tranquility of the surroundings.
It is possible to dedicate the first two days of November to remembering loved ones. But rather than waiting for these days, it is preferable to visit their graves on the spur of the moment and frequently. Because you regularly think of your loved ones even after they have passed away, it is more useful and sweeter.
6. Bring other necessities, especially food!
As was indicated before the list, some families bring food and spend a few hours or so gathered around the gravestone. To avoid duplication, prepare the food that various relatives will bring to the meeting in advance. To ensure that no garbage is left in the cemetery, the assignments should include food, snacks, drinks, coolers, blankets, and even trash bags. Additionally, have a first-aid kit on hand.
Offering food, especially their favorite foods, to your loved ones at their graves is another custom. Catholics consider this time of year to be a time when their departed loved ones' spirits are present.
Thus, it serves as a means of expressing that they died but are still welcome on this planet. Even though their presence can only be felt spiritually, the food is like a show of love, and they are still alive in the hearts of their children and family members.
The most frequent way for people to connect is over food. When you enjoy a meal with others, stories are told between each person and the group members, giving you a chance to catch up on everyone's lives.
7. Protocols for the Undas Covid Pandemic
Even if the pandemic limitations are now at their loosest, bring your vaccination card(s) in case the local police or authorities check on you. Along with your standard COVID-19 pandemic precautions like face masks, social isolation, and thorough handwashing, alcohol use, and hand sanitizers,
Additional Things to Do for Undas
Mini Reunion
Perhaps you still have time to relax after paying tribute to your loved ones. May you spend it with your loved ones. In fact, for some people, celebrating Undas is like Christmas because it's a chance to celebrate and spend time with your loved ones. To make the most of the time spent bonding, it would be best if everything was arranged in advance. Here are some ideas to help your family and friends enjoy the holiday season more. 1. Prepare a mini-feast for your family, relatives, and deceased loved ones.
This time of year is unique for Filipinos because it allows their families to gather together to have a small family reunion, similar to how Christmas and birthdays are. However, setting aside a day for a memorial service for a loved one who has passed away is a way to recognize their contribution to our lives.
No matter your country or faith, thinking back on the times we spent with these people who have passed away helps us feel their presence. Yes, you can do it whenever you want or spontaneously. However, the connection to the deceased's significant figures is what makes Undas enjoyable because each person's story helps to make the departed feel alive, even simply by celebrating the memory of those they left behind.
Furthermore, this tradition is not merely a chance for people to catch up with one another. It's a good method to remember the good times we had with our loved ones and to pass them on to your child and the next generation of your family and friends. Even though our loved ones have left the living world, the memories we have of them will always be cherished, and telling stories about them can help us feel as though they are still there in our hearts.
Quick Getaway
Since many Filipinos have visited their loved ones who have passed away, some people use this time to organize a quick getaway rather than spending time together in the cemetery. If you have a brief period of time in a new environment, you may still enjoy yourself in the neighboring locations and get rid of any feelings of stress or burnout.
According to a recent report by the Department of Tourism, Central Luzon, the region around Metro Manila, and Calabarzon have become the most popular places for people to spend the night. As a result, you do not need to travel far from your home in order to unwind and experience a new atmosphere. With your family, you can still enjoy some undiscovered treasures in the neighborhood.
Typical guidelines to check out!
The following are absolutely forbidden:
• Firecrackers, weapons with sharp edges, explosives, and firearms
• Illegal substances
• LPG and portable cooking appliances
• Alcoholic drinks
• Videoke or any other loud-sounding sound system
• Accessories used in gambling, such as a deck of playing cards
Honoring the dead gives life.
Since more than 86 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, this day of prayer is celebrated in every town across the nation.
In the intensely familialistic Filipino society and traditions, All Saints' Day is commemorated as a holiday custom to reunite with loved ones who are still alive and to memorialize those who have passed away. The occasion is viewed as a time to remember and respect departed loved ones as if they were present for the celebrations with their living siblings and relatives.
Honoring the dead is a great way to commemorate and celebrate the lives of those who have gone before, regardless of what culture you are a part of or what group of people or traditions you belong to.
No matter how we choose to commemorate them, doing so helps us stay connected to the individuals who helped shape who we are, brings back memories of our past, and fosters thankfulness for the life we have been given.
