All Souls’ Day had never been the same since I grew older. When we were kids, it was the most looked-forward-to-occasion of the year since we loved going to the cemetery so much! We got to play with our other cousins, see distant relatives, eat a lot of food, play cards and bingo, do hide and seek, and santelmo with candles and fire. But today, it’s a sort of to-do to go to the cemetery already. Because for me, remembering the loved ones doesn’t have to be being there where they are resting in peace. Anywhere we are, we can remember them for they are already in our hearts. So for today, I got tired of cemetery hopping. From PIC to Pryce to Mt. Malindang. Wheew!
But as Filipinos, a tradition stays a tradition. Until there are All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, we are going to the cemetery no matter what. Let’s not just be redirected from the essence of it.