Only in the Philippines! Filipino practices done during Undas

While most of us are familiar with the happenings during All Souls Day, has it ever crossed your mind how people of the north commemorate it? 

WHILE Halloween parties are the new trend amongst millennials and Gen Z’s, some people travel to their hometowns to honor their departed loved ones.

Going home to the province every All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days is not an uncommon thing amongst the Filipinos–as a matter of fact, a lot of them would even consider it as part of Filipino tradition.  

Aside from going back to your hometowns and spending time with your loved ones, has it ever piqued your interest to know what else they do during the commemoration of All Souls’ Day?

We interviewed one of those who chose to visit her departed loved one. 

Leilani, just like most Filipinos, visits her hometown in Pangasinan annually to honor her late father who passed away in 2001. 

“My only reason why I go here is to visit my father. I want to honor him,” she said. 

Upon visiting her father’s grave, Leilani would light candles and place them beside the flowers she bought.

She shared that she chose citronella-scented candles for this year’s All Souls Day, to help drive away the mosquitoes while she’s around.

Candle-lighting and flower offerings are some of the practices of Filipinos during the commemoration of All Souls’ Day. The reason behind this is to pay respect to and to pray for their departed loved ones. 

Meanwhile, those who aren’t able to go home to their town light a candle instead in front of their houses. 

Aside from having candle-lighting and flower offerings, some Filipinos would also partake of another offering which they would refer to as “atang.” 

While atang might appear as a sort of simple food offering, for Ilocanos, atang is done with the intention of driving away evil spirits. 

The most common atang to be offered is a rice cake which Ilocanos’ would refer to as “sinukat.”

Aside from driving bad spirits away, Leilani explained that another reason why some people practice it is the intention of giving “pabaon.” 

“Somehow, it’s like the same reason for candle-lighting. Some people would light up the candle for three reasons. To pay respect and give them prayers, and to give them light. In the case of atang, one of the reasons is the intention of giving pabaon,” she said.

“If only there’s a siopao being sold nearby, I would’ve bought one for tatay because it’s his favorite,” she added.

While candle-lighting, giving offerings, and paying respect are usual deeds during the commemoration, Leilani shared how this is the only time for most Filipinos to interact with their relatives. 

“Aside from the reason of paying respect for their departed loved ones, some people would also come here to meet relatives who they haven’t seen in a while. This is the only time when they can catch up with each other.” 

Leilani added how people are taking advantage of the ample vacation period, thanks to the long weekend. Filipinos are known to be family-oriented and this is just a perfect time to have gatherings with them.