RAIGE-O-LOGY

Once again, people have gathered in cemeteries and memorial parks to visit their departed loved ones on All Saints' Day. I must admit, I struggle to grasp the concept of this holiday. Why do we feel compelled to flock to these places on a specific day when we could do the same on any other day? What drives us to conform to the majority's actions? Does our failure to visit the departed on this designated day make us evil or destined for hell? Do our deceased relatives receive special benefits when we light candles and offer flowers on this particular day? Is there some kind of promotion for them in the afterlife? These questions linger, unlikely to find definitive answers. All I can say is that we don't need to wait for All Saints' Day to visit our departed loved ones. Nevertheless, I allowed myself to partake in this custom, not because I wanted to follow the crowd, but because I felt compelled to fulfill the expectations placed upon me. La Pieta Memorial Park is conven...

The realization that the holidays were quickly approaching hit me when I visited a mall last week. It was Halloween, and the "marketing geeks" were once again attempting to westernize our third-world country by organizing a trick-or-treat event with costumes. That's fine; I don't see any harm in it. Kids enjoy dressing up as fictional characters and asking for candy, while parents indulge in spending money on those extravagant costumes. It's their thing. However, what they fail to realize is that we don't have to wait until October 31 to wear costumes and ask for treats. In the Philippines, every day can be Halloween! Just look at the streets filled with children wearing their costumes for their daily survival, engaging in a never-ending trick-or-treat party. And the best part is, you can give them more than just candy. You can offer money, actual food, or even that milkshake you just bought and took a few sips from. They're not just seeking a sugar fix; t...