The annual observance of Undas encompasses both All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, drawing thousands of relatives together at cemeteries across Manila. Spanish Catholic rituals introduced after 1565 merged with pre-colonial practices of offering gifts to ancestral spirits, known as anito, as well as influences from the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade. Today, relatives treat the holiday as an essential family reunion where they recount shared histories beside departed loved ones. Attendees frequently consume sticky rice cakes, which serve as a cultural symbol representing the enduring bonds of family.
Key points
The annual holiday blends post-1565 Spanish Catholic rituals with long-standing indigenou…: The annual holiday blends post-1565 Spanish Catholic rituals with long-standing indigenous ancestral customs.
Families consume sticky rice cakes during the cemetery visits to symbolize close kinship…: Families consume sticky rice cakes during the cemetery visits to symbolize close kinship bonds among relatives.
The gatherings function as vital cross-generational reunions that solidify family relatio…: The gatherings function as vital cross-generational reunions that solidify family relationships throughout the country.
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Thousands of Filipinos who flocked to cemeteries across Manila on Sunday (Nov 1) to visit the graves of their loved ones, marking All Saints’ Day.
MANILA: Her father may no longer be with her, but Lorita Santos keeps the memories they shared close to her heart.
She was among thousands of Filipinos who flocked to cemeteries across Manila on Sunday (Nov 1) to visit the graves of their loved ones, marking All Saints’ Day.
For generations, the tradition known locally as Undas has brought families together to remember and honor their dead. The name derives from the Spanish word “honras,” meaning “honors.”
“Just because they have passed away does not mean we should forget them,” said Santos, who visited the resting places of her father and three other relatives.
Her family marks the occasion by offering flowers and candles. Together, they also pray and share snacks.
The visits are an opportunity to share stories about those who have passed away. Santos fondly remembers how her father would give his children and grandchildren small gifts every payday.
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