Day of the dead, etc.

All souls day is one of the most important holidays in the country. If holidays are ranked according to travel iteniraries and religious significance, the day of the dead would rank third next to Christmas and lent.

Being a non-catholic and raised in a prortestant family which rejects anything "unscriptural", we do not observe the religious significance of the holidays but we do enjoy the break the non-working holidays provide.

But of course being tolerant and even accepting of other religious beliefs (I'm a religious pluralist), I find nothing wrong with traditions considering that before the Canon of the Bible was collated, Christianity survived it's first few centuries on traditions.

Filipinos especially the Catholics believe that the souls of their departed loved ones visits them at this time of the year. Niches are cleaned and repainted and some even have reunions in the cemetery with plates of food offered for the dead. 

Lighted candles by the doorsteps are common sight. The number of candles lit correspond to the number of the departed loved ones. According to beliefs, the candle light guides the wandering souls to their homes and back to the afterlife.

The tradition that have disappeared, at least in the urban areas, is the pangangaluwa or the serenades for the dead. During the 90's I have played guitar accompaniment for a group of elderly ladies still practicing this traditions in our neighborhood. 

Many of the ladies are already gonein the after life, and some of them I don't see anymore, maybe they have moved to the provinces.

I have forgotten the words and the chords but I have never forgotten how it was going round the neighborhood (not that dense then) flash lights on hand, guitar strap on my shoulder, angry barking dogs, a teenager surrounded by singing elderly ladies and though it was not Christmas, the charity of the Filipinos was very evident.

A wonderful memory that many have never had the chance of experiencing.

Note: all photos are not mine, credits to the unknown owners.