The Day of the Departed

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The whole country will pause tomorrow for the observance of the day of the departed. This is one of the most beautiful traditions, especially of Filipinos who have, perhaps, the most sentimental and picturesque way of honoring their loved ones who have gone from this life.

According to the Church calendar, tomorrow is supposed to be All Saints Day, while the next day, November 2, is All Souls Day. Somehow, in practice, Filipinos pick the first of November as the day when they converge at the memorial parks and cemeteries to pray and spend some time at the places where the mortal remains of their loved ones are buried. Attempts by Church officials to divert the faithful to celebrate on what should actually be the day for the dead have not been very successful, although there are some who do wait for the next day to make their visitation to the graves.

There is another admirable practice that has grown out of this celebration of the day of the departed. In the Philippines, the day has also become one of family reunions, because those who live far away, or even out of town or the country, try their best to come home and be with their folks as they gather at the burial grounds of their beloved dead. The day also becomes one of reminiscences and recollections on the lives of those now gone, and a renewal of bonds among relations.

That is why, even the government, and the various administrations have allowed for this practice by granting a holiday, most of the time even two or three days, to enable those who live in distant places to travel home, and for those who work, time off to observe the tradition.

Together with the rest of the country, the people in our provinces and cities in Negros will mark the holiday in similar manner. As we meet and bond again with our relations and friends, however, let us not forget the real reason for it, and that is to honor and pray for the souls of our dear ones who are gone, and whom we shall all inevitably later join.*