by Marie Uy
As 21st century came, undas has been like a holiday celebrated like a family gathering by most Catholic-Christian Filipino families. The following images present the traditional ways in commemorating undas, but are inspired by the new trends.
1. Pray for the soul.
This man is praying the rosary while kneeling for the soul of his
beloved one. He maintains a solemn and serious aura while praying and
looking at the tombstone of his departed. Prayers are what the departed
ones need the most.
2. Make it presentable.
The family member of the departed asks the helpers to clean the tomstone
to make it presentable. She watches over them as they scrub each letter
of the epitaph. The departed ones would appreciate it if their
tomstones are readable.
3. Keep the graves clean.
Cleanliness should also be maintained even in the final resting place of
the departed. The man cleans the grave of his departed as he sweeps on a
plastic "thrown away" by the wind.
4. Decorate the flowers.
Flowers signify remembrance and care if offered to departed ones. This
little boy arranges the flowers he picked around the tombstone.
5.
Get candles. Candles are always present on solemn moments like undas. The man gets
the candle holder to light it up just like the other candles to offer to
his departed one.
6. Be artistic.
The grave was designed with hearts made from petals of different-colored
roses, which shows effort in showing how much the family of this
departed person cares for her. Simple efforts like this can be
appreciated by the departed ones, and also by the living ones who pass
by it.
7. Light it up.
Lighting of candles has always been a tradition on solemn events like
this. It is believed that lightened candles bring light to the departed
and guide them on their journey in afterlife. This man lights up a
candle for his departed one.
8. Commemorate with the family.
A family that prays together stays together. A family that commemorates
together stays stronger. This family spends their Nov.1 together on the
tombs of their departed.
9. Don't forget to bring fresh flowers.
Flowers are much appreciated if they are fresh. It will last longer and
smell more fragrant. The man carries two baskets of fresh flowers on the
entrance to Loyola Memorial Park for his departed on Nov.1.
10.
Bring protection from weather.
The weather in the Philippines changes from time to time. Protection
from all kinds of weather should be prepared. When going to the
cemetery, it is recommended to set up tents and bring umbrellas.
As 21st century came, undas has been like a holiday celebrated like a family gathering by most Catholic-Christian Filipino families. The following images present the traditional ways in commemorating undas, but are inspired by the new trends.
