Undas 2010

This is the time of the Undas or All Soul's Day. The Filipinos celebrate this holiday. It focuses on the gatherings of family, relatives and friends in praying and remembering their loved ones who died. Sometimes, we call it, \"Araw ng mga Patay,\" or Day of the Dead. It is where the relatives have a reunion in praying and eating. It is considered a very important holiday by many Filipinos aside from Christmas and the Holy Week. The Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards who converted the Filipinos into Catholics. The colonization lasted for 333 years of Spanish Regime.

I seldom go out and visit the cemetery on November 1. My mama and I often visit either before, October 30 or 31. Or after November 2, so that there will be lesser people going and visit their loved ones or more often their relatives who passed away.

At the earliest in the morning at the break of dawn, since Dasmarinas, Cavite has a two hours travel from Las Pinas. My late father was buried at the Manila Memorial - Dasmarinas. Fortunately, there are few people visiting. Besides, it is still early. Unlike in their Sucat branch where there are plenty of people visiting the said cemetery. My relatives and my mama went at Manila Memorial - Sucat last OIctober 30, 2010 to pray for the souls of my late grandmother, grandfather and my two uncles. In tradition, later we will light candles for the souls of our relatives in front of the house.

After we asked for the care taker of my late father's grave to clean his \"lapida\" or name in the mar-mall, repainted, candles lit and flowers to be offered. Mama and I prayed the rosary for the departed soul of my late father. I know that he is there watching over us. Last year, I have introduced Raffy to my late father because he accompanied me there, while my mama was sicked at that time.

My mama and I decided to have some early lunch at Shakey's and nourish ourselves. A little shopping but really window shopping because almost all of the establishments are closed due to its special non-working holiday that we called it Undas.

\"To the souls of the faithful departed like my Papa, Lola Julia, Lola Pedro, Tito Boy, Tito Cesar, Kenneth and my special Angel, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.\"

Thank you for touching our lives.