All Saints Day

While we were all handing out candy to young kids dressed as goblins and princesses; people all throughout the Philippines were camping out at cemetaries in memorium for their loved ones who've passed on.

That's right, November 1st is offically called "All Saints Day" in the Philippines, a national holiday. Its much like our Rememberance Day, but with a unique twist. Almost everyone in the country will spend all day and all night by the grave sites of their dead relatives. People will bring chairs, sleeping bags, drinks, lots of food (Filipino's love to picnic), tents, playing cards, guitars, and almost anything else you can think of. Essentially its camping.

Some rich families will actually buy a plot of land at the cemetary and build their own little house or shelter which houses the grave. Some of the shelters are appart from the grave and meant only for the occasions when the family come to visit. They basically set up shop inside the shelter and sleep overnight, much classier than sleeping on the grass I suppose.



I've never attended this ritual, as my first time in the Philippines was just this past December-February, but I've heard stories. I guess there's praying and a lot of respect is paid. I think that the rest of the day is actually then spent celebrating their lives and socializing with the family that is still left behind.

I wish I could be there and join in. Spend the day with my Grandma (my Mom's aunt) who died in 2004 and my uncle who died in June. Not to mention my real Grandparents (my Mom's parents) AND my Great Grandparents! And of course all my living relatives who I bonded so closely with earlier this year.

Rest In Peace.