November 1 and 2, 2022
Just when Filipinos looked forward to finally being allowed to visit their dead in the cemeteries, Typhoon Paeng comes with its intermittent strong rains.
Will the rains dampen and stop Filipinos from visiting their dearly departed this year? It is a very long weekend too, with October 31 declared a holiday. More reason, Filipinos will brave the rains, even typhoons.
Many have planned and scheduled visiting their dead and being able to have a long-awaited reunion with other living family members and relatives during this long weekend.
That may be a strong reason why news reports show the continuing influx of passengers in bus terminals and piers despite the bad weather.
Ample advice, alert and warnings have been issued by the authorities for passengers to reconsider their travel plans and not insist on proceeding in the midst of the typhoon warnings.
We pray all will be well, that the weather will improve, so that all are protected and happy as they visit their dead and their living loved ones.
COVID-19 is also very much still around, the virus and variants. While vaccination and boosters have helped in stemming the rise of the COVID-19 cases, still COVID-19 cases continue daily.
Best for all who plan to travel or visit crowed cemeteries and areas this long weekend to remember the important health protocols --wear masks, keep physical distance, hand washing.
Keep safe, everyone, as you go through a long, restful weekend with your dead and living loved ones!
While this long weekend covers two special, religious holidays, November 1, All Saints’ Day appears to be given less attention by people in their celebration.
All Saints Day is also known as “Hallowmas”, Feast of All Saints and All Hallows' Day. “Hallow” in Old English, means "holy" or "sacred". Therefore, "Hallows' Eve" or "Halloween" simply means "the evening of holy persons" and refers to the evening before All Saints Day.
How many of you knew that "Halloween" started out as a holy Christian celebration?
The current date of November 1 was established by Pope Gregory III during his reign (731-741 AD) when he dedicated a chapel in Rome's St. Peter's Basilica in honor of all saints.
Data mentions that “in the 10th century, Abbot Odela of the Cluny monastery added the next day --November 2nd-- as "All Souls" Day" to honor the martyrs and all Christians who had died.”
Filipinos consider November 1 and 2, as days to celebrate the dead, especially their departed loved ones. Popularly known as “kalag-kalag,” or “undas”, both All Souls Day and All Saints Day are collectively celebrated.
It is also locally referred to as “undas” --derived from the Spanish word “honrar” meaning “to honor”. During this occasion, the departed loved ones are honored and solemnly celebrated between November 1 and 2.
Days before, curfew hours, rules, and protocols have been issued especially in cemeteries to ensure the health, protection and security of those who will travel to visit their dead especially. Days earlier too, relatives and families have gone to clean up, paint and beautify the graves of their departed loved ones.
As crowds are prone to generate garbage, we hope the local governments have coordinated with the barangays for strict waste segregation in cemeteries and parks.
Rather than be confronted by huge volume of unsegregated waste, local governments can seize the opportunity presented by the kalag-kalag and undas to transform this continuing problem of unsegregated waste to reduce, divert and even earn from the segregated waste, not to mention the laudable contribution to averting global warming!
Enjoy a safe, protected, long weekend everyone!
Please responsibly manage your waste not to harm our planet and people, to prolong life, protection, and security for all.
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