Comments on: All Saints’ Day / Undas

By: MasPinaSarap

MasPinaSarap — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 23:39:43 +0000

My grandfather actually died on All Saint’s Day a little over a decade ago. Since then, we light candles, pray, and set out an extra plate of food, cigarettes, candies, and water/Royal for our dead relatives on that day so that they will come and eat. When we wake up, we eat what we can, in the belief that it gives us strength.
This is fairly common for us Filipinos, no?

By: Maria Clara

Maria Clara — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 20:26:39 +0000

Beautiful imahen. The ivory face stands out well. Very saintly. It is invaluable â€“ family heirloom piece. Take good care of the imahen. Thanks for sharing this with us.

By: sylvia

sylvia — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 20:02:08 +0000

If I remember right, my father told me long ago that the story behind the tradition of going to the cemeteries on All Saints’ Day is that people went on that day to clean and spruce up deceased relatives’ tombs in preparation for All Souls’ Day. And, I guess, all that work makes one hungry & thirsty hence the picnic food. Of course, nowadays you hire men to clean up the tombs/plots in preparation for your coming.

By: NYCMama

NYCMama — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 14:52:14 +0000

I also believe this is Mater Dolorosa. My great grand had a lifesize one, although dressed in black, but the face has the same expression. I am very jealous about the eyeball on Saturday!

By: ishdafish

ishdafish — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 12:08:32 +0000

It’s a matter of which is the day off, I guess.

Back in the 70s, when I was a kid and economics or presidents didn’t mess up everything including holidays, people used to go to cemeteries on November 2. Those who went on November 1 went in the evening, and stayed till midnight or past. (These were usually people like us who needed to go back to Manila on the day of November 2, because daddy and mommy had to go back to work. )

Back then, November 2 was also an official holiday, as was Rizal’s birthday and July 4. October 31 was too, I think, but I’m not sure.

By: catalina

catalina — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 06:07:07 +0000

Looks like the Mater Dolorosa at the foot of the Cross in Calvary–but you may be right, MM, it could be a mater dolorosa praying to THE Mater Dolorosa. Whichever, that is a truly beautiful piece you inherited from your grandmother. Inggit ako :-) Any idea how much that is worth today?

By: Marketman

Marketman — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 04:54:37 +0000

Thanks Joy, that completes my list! See you Saturday!

By: joy

joy — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 04:49:38 +0000

i most definitely confirm I am coming, MM. I would not miss that chance…

By: wil-b cariaga

wil-b cariaga — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 04:30:57 +0000

in Vigan we just walk to go to the cemetery to avoid traffic, its just a few blocks away from our house, and I remember my grandma making dozens of sandwiches and bringing drinks so we won’t buy food from vendors anymore. . . they were saying I used to sing happy birthday when i was a kid and blow the candles id the cemetery hahaha. . . weird kid. . .

By: Marketman

Marketman — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 02:40:47 +0000

Hi Joy, good catch. Yes, my grandfather was a lawyer by profession but an avid cockfighter. He had dozens of “Texas” or other chicken duelers in his stable. When he passed away, he requested that he be buried near a cockpit so they purchased a plot in a big cemetery but within a ston’es throw of a nearby cockpit. Btw, you are the last reader who expressed interest in the Eyeball but from whom I haven’t received a confirmation by email. I sent you an email to inquire but perhaps you didn’t get it…please let me know if I should give the slot to someone on the waitlist…thanks!