Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
by CK May is the month of flowers not just in the Philippines but also here in Calgary. A lot of my neighbors have done their spring cleaning and unfortunately I cannot cope up with them. I remember that during this time of the year my husband, Hank gets busier day by day. He takes care [...]
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Page added on November 21, 2011

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UNDAS

by: Glynn Galla

In the Philippines, celebrating Halloween is quite different. Lots of things that we practise as a filipinno that can never be seen here in Canada. When I was still back home I remember 2 days before the All Souls Day, me and few of my cousins went to the cemetery to clean the tomb of our grandparents. Laughing making fun while cleaning the area. Lots of people also doing the same thing at the cemetery.

It’s always the holiday in the Philippines if it’s All Souls’ Day, so everyone can attend and visit their departed love ones. Candle and Flower business during this season is really a big thing. Many seasonal business put up temporary tents to sell candles and flowers around the cemetery, it’s like a big feast but it’s venue is in the cemetery.

I could still remember during All Souls Day or Undas as we call it. My mom make sure she prepares sticky rice as part of the tradition. So with my relatives and neighbours prepares it. Telling ghost stories and haunted tales were among my favourite thing during Undas. One thing also that I will never forget was to visit the tomb the night before the occasion then my uncle used to tell us creepy story about the lady in white that floats during night time and many others. Having these as part of the tradition really enrich our version of celebrating the Halloween.

And the Canadian style? It’s unique too. Trick or Treat as they call it. Celebrating the Halloween here in Canada is different, compared to our tradition we pay visit to the cemetery while here, people dressed in costumes, night bars organized costume party and award those who had best and outrageous outfit.

I also noticed how little kids participate on to it. Wearing there favourite super hero costumes, they roam around the neighbourhood with their candy basket knocking each houses. If we have sticky rice they have pumpkin pie. Pumpkin is very popular with it’s jack-o-lantern, this is because pumpkin is associated with the harvest season in general.

Remember our love ones that were no longer with us is truly a good virtue. We may be had different ways of celebrating it but the thought is always there. Despite how far we are in the Philippines, we may adopt some of the western influence but we must not forget our tradition, our culture.

Happy Halloween everyone!

UNDAS

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