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Every time the month of November approaches closely, it’s inevitable that we remember our loved ones who had departed – loved ones who are still dear to our hearts even fate had divided our ways.  We commemorate “All Souls’ Day” at the 2^nd day of the month; but for Lucenahins and most Filipinos, November 1 is the time to visit the dead.

Todos Los Santos, preferably known as Undas, is the Filipino version of All Souls’ Day where everyone troop to cemeteries, memorial parks or mausoleums to visit our deceased relatives at their resting place.

How our folks from Lucena celebrate this holiday is venerable. They celebrate it with togetherness in their family – a time to gather and pray as they’re beside the tomb of their loved ones. Relatives from far-off provinces or even abroad often go back to Quezon Province to be with them once more even for a moment. With the memory of the departed souls, they altogether reminisce and converse mostly of the dead while they were still living.

Among Lucena’s public ground cemeteries are St. Ferdinand Memorial Park and St. Ignacius Loyola where modest tombs and graves abound. Despite of the bad weather and muddy lanes of the place, lots of Lucenahins weren’t hindered to visit the memorial park. Lesser worries arise even if the place is overcrowded since Quezon Police Provincial office sent officers to provide first aid and assistance for the people through their “Oplan Kaluluwa 2010” program.

The most common practices they do before going to the cemetery are packing foods they will share for their overnight stay at the tent or mausoleum and buying flowers and candles to decorate the resting place. Many folks find time to enjoy the moment through drinking sessions, playing cards and playing loud music even if it is strictly prohibited by the authorities.  But first they find time to clean the tomb.

Some people are sleeping on the top of the tomb and imagining they sleep beside their dead loved ones, others cheerfully or emotionally speak or ask about how are they now? Albums and other memorabilia of the dead are also brought that for every piece of them reminds of a story they left behind. Sounds comical but see how really adoring Lucenahins are. Only a paradox that when a person is still with us, breathing on earth; we cannot express our feelings and love for them until God had taken them away from us, that’s the only time we say great things about them and forget their mistakes.

During All Souls’ Day also, other families from Quezon Province visit their deceased relatives at St. Ferdinand Cathedral Bone Vault. Inside the church, there is the place called “Porta Coeli” that means Gateway to Heaven. Inside the room are bone vaults where remains of the departed person such as ashes or bones are put inside the vault.  They thought it is a practical thing to do, to make it easier to visit them. 

Altogether, family members cannot forget to render a composed prayer and dedications; this special holiday strengthens family relations. Reunion in the cemetery is a common sight.

Life they said is too short that we have to spend the best out of it. Whilst we still live on this earth, whilst we have our loved ones, let us at least try to make effort to show our affection for each other so we could have no regrets if God suddenly took our loved ones away from us.

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	lattelady Says on November 08, 2010 (13:27)
nice.. i failed to go to the cemetery this year.. hopefully next time i will.
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