All Saints Came Marching In

written by Irenerose Susi

For the last two years, we have been celebrating All Saint’s Day by going to the Memorial Park early in the morning and then are home after lunch. At first, I thought that my dad was too worried that ‘akyat bahay’ gang might attack during the night and steal all belongings, them knowing that nobody was in the house. Until lately, I was told that the reason why we visited our departed in the morning was that the spirituality of the occasion has been replaced by commercialism and this posed as a distraction in remembering your dear departed loved ones. And, thus, your early morning visits may be more genuine than during night.

Consider this scenario.

     As one enters the memorial parks or the cemeteries, he has to squeeze himself through lines of vendors offering all kinds of finger foods, beverages, and even toys! What irritates me more are the ‘sorbeteros’ who surrounds the chapel, and with their tiny bells, continuously tingling during the mass. As one moves forward, he has to wade through disorderly parked cars and tricycles.  Sometimes, parking spaces are rented for exorbitant fees. And as you reach your destination, your strength has been drained off, and you are too tired to pray for your loved ones. As you regained your consciousness, your emotions will be drowned by music from a karaoke, rowdiness by a group on drinking spree, stereos, TV sets, and even generators. My, the festivities have just started! And while you sulk in vain at the back of the tomb, here comes the sacristan, handing you an envelope, and then asking if you would want your tomb blessed by a priest… for a fee? Indeed, the highest for form of commercialism!

     Why not pay homage to our departed in solemn ways? These two days are intended to remember them, and pray for them. Probably signs of progress? Probably the belief in afterlife is taboo. Probably All Saint’s day and All Soul’s day have become reunion days of sorts… To my mind, the solemnity of the occasions should be preserved.

     It is also the habit of the family to come back on All Soul’s Day and spend a little more time with them. And what do you see? Yes, piles and piles of trash: scattered styros, empty bottles, empty cans, dried flowers, candles, plastics, and wrappers. Remnants of the revelry the night before… if only the souls can complain, they would probably tell us, “we were resting until you came!”