We woke up early today just so we can be at the cemetery at six in the morning. Me and hubby prefer to be there early as it would be too hot when the sun is up. My mom who celebrated the occasion this time with us just can't believe that there are already a number of people at that time. She used to go to the cemetery at nine or ten in the morning.
By the time we are ready to leave, that is after offering prayers and flowers to our dead relatives (up to my great great grandparents), there was already plenty of people around and I was beginning to feel the heat. Our prayers would be interrupted every now and then by people greeting us, mostly patients and old acquaintances.
It is tradition also to offer prayers for the dead at home together with relatives and friends. The host family should be ready with a variety of kakanin (cooked glutinous rice with coconut cream and sugar as the basic ingredients) to be served as snacks after the hour-long prayer. Today I prepared inlube (smoked glutinous rice cooked in coconut cream and sugar, picture here) and nilatikan (glutinous rice with caramelized sugar topping). I am also anticipating that some relatives would like to stay over until lunch so I also prepared something that every body love - pork and chicken adobo.
I know of some people who do not agree at all with all these traditions - going to the cemetery to visit the dead relative on November 1, praying and offering flowers on this day when one can do it at any time of the year. Very true. But then when a person lives in a place away from where the dead was buried, visiting will be a problem if there is no holiday that would free us from work.
I believe that the occasion does not only entail us to visit the dead and offer prayers. It is also a time when public cemeteries are cleaned, tombs repainted, and memories rekindled.
Happy Halloween!Labels: All Saints Day celebration |
