Paying Our Respects to the Departed

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 conveniently located within walking distance of our house. I was tasked with carrying the flowers and a box of sandwiches. Yes, sandwiches. Visiting a memorial park on this holiday is akin to going on a picnic or attending a potluck. Food is essential, as these places often become the setting for small family reunions. Relatives who are rarely seen suddenly appear out of nowhere to light candles, engage in conversations, and share a meal.

As darkness fell, the traffic grew heavy. However, this didn't bother me as I was on foot. Tricycles lined up along the highway near the park's entrance, eagerly awaiting passengers. On this day, tricycle fares inexplicably skyrocket. Vendors also crowded the entrance, selling various items such as flowers, candles, balloons, food, drinks, toys, cigarettes, candy, and much more. Inside, more stalls offered a wide array of goods, including alcohol, despite its supposed ban.

My mind seemed to operate on autopilot as I navigated directly to where my father is laid to rest—an area I know by heart. The darkness accentuated the glow of countless candles illuminating the surroundings. It resembled a field ablaze with flickering flames. Just imagine the multitude of cemeteries across the Philippines, each filled with thousands of people congregating and thousands of candles being lit. My fellow citizens, once again, we have inadvertently contributed to global warming. On the bright side, children have an abundance of wax to collect, mold into balls, or even sell for a few bucks per kilo.