Kalag-kalag

CEBU, Philippines -All Souls Day and All Saints days are definitely two of the most important holidays in the Philippines. Stripped of the foreign Halloween influence, the traditional observance of these days are unique and colorful. In fact, many people believe that the added pop-culture practice only tends to muddle the essence of the celebrations. 

Costume parties are fun activities, of course.  These give groups of friends and homecoming relatives something common to busy themselves with. And these parties are really a good exercise in creativity.

But the thing is, sometimes the fun overtakes the real meaning of the celebrations. These two days are especially dedicated for the remembrance of dear departed. This obviously Catholic tradition is not entirely foreign influence – it also affirms the long-standing belief in souls of pre-Spanish Filipinos.

Even devout Catholics, particularly in the rural areas of the Visayas, still practice the “halad,” an offering of the dear departed’s favorite food and drink while still alive. The offering is either made at home or right on the tomb of the intended recipient. The act goes with chanted prayers and “paaso,” a ritual of burning sweet-smelling herbs supposedly to appease the spirits.

In the days or weeks leading to the first two days of November, entire communities get busy in cleaning and sprucing up the graves of deceased loved ones. Then, on November 1 – the day for remembering and reflecting on the pious lives of saints – people already start trooping to the cemeteries. All the more, on November 2 – the very day for remembering and praying for the souls of dear ones – the cemeteries overflow with visitors.

The two days being holidays – official or not – add to the great influx of people at cemeteries. Those who come from the provinces take the time to go home to bring flowers and light candles for their dead. Hence, the “kalagkalag,” the Cebuano word referring to the annual celebrations, is also a time of reunions where the family comes together and recites prayers for its deceased members.

It is a Catholic belief that souls in the purgatory can be cleansed of sins by the dedicated prayers of surviving family and friends. This, again, relates well with the ancient Filipino belief that the souls of departed elders continue to be around and, thus, needs to be comforted with offerings and prayerful rituals. To this day, hints of this old belief can be found in the local “kalagkalag” tradition. 

In some homes, the “kalagkalag” observance resembles a mini fiesta. Special food is prepared, often in abundance, owing to the fact that family members already residing in other places come together. In between lavish meals, memories of the dear departed and ghost stories are shared, as well.

It has also become quite common lately for the feasts to be held right in the cemetery, so departed loved ones can be part of it. The scene would often have the little children around in Halloween costumes. The grownups spend the time catching up with one another.

Older people express concern about the “modernization” of the “kalagkalag” tradition. They say that Halloween makes creepy the dear memories of departed loved ones. The concern may have basis – pop culture really has the tendency to deform the original face of anything.