UNDAS. Time was when Cebuanos had no other word for All Saints’ Day than “kalag-kalag.” Now many locals have picked up the Tagalog word “undas.” Thanks or no thanks to Manila’s broadcast media which keep mentioning “undas” referring to All Saints’ Day or All Souls’ Day. Our “kalag-kalag” is slowly being replaced by the Tagalog’s “undas.”
SHORTER, EASIER. The Ear asked a high school student why she has been calling our own “kalag-kalag” by its Tagalog counterpart. Her answer: “Mas mubo man gud, sayon ilitok.” Asked if she knew how come the Tagalog’s call our “kalag-kalag” undas? She said; “Nadungog ko ra man na sa TV.” Another proof of the power of the broadcast media in influencing our language.