Undás: Honoring Our Loved Ones

A Family Tradition of Remebering the Dead

Every year, as October turns to November, I am reminded of one of the most heartfelt traditions we have back home in the Philippines — Undás, or the Day of the Dead. It's more than just a holiday; it's a time when families come together to honor, remember, and celebrate the lives of our departed loved ones.

Growing up, this was one of the most important days of the year in our household. Early in the morning, we would head to the local market, where the air buzzed with people buying fresh flowers, long white candles, and ingredients for the favorite dishes of those who had passed on. My family always prepared my grandparents' favorite meals — a way of showing love through food, even across the boundaries of life and death.

Once we returned home, we would cook and pack the food for later, while others cleaned and gathered everything we needed for the trip to the cemetery. Before the afternoon sun dipped low, we would visit our family's resting place to sweep, clean, and decorate it with flowers. Then, as the day faded, the cemetery would slowly transform — what was once a quiet and solemn space began to fill with laughter, music, and the comforting hum of families reunited.

We would lay blankets on the ground, arrange photos of our deceased relatives, place the flower bouquets, and light candles that flickered softly at night. Food was shared, stories were told, and songs were played. It was, in many ways, like a family picnic — except our loved ones who had passed on were with us in spirit. Through the stories we told, they were brought back to life for a moment. We laughed at old memories, sometimes cried, but most importantly, we remembered.

By nightfall, the cemetery would glow beautifully — thousands of candles lighting up the darkness. It was a breathtaking sight, one that never failed to remind me of the power of memory and love. The once somber space turned into a sea of light, warmth, and togetherness.

Now that I live far from home, I often find myself reminiscing about those moments. Even though I can't visit my grandparents and my parents' graves as often as I want to, I still find ways to honor their memory. I light candles, cook their favorite dishes, and share stories about them with my family and friends. It's my way of keeping our tradition alive — of keeping them alive in my heart.

For many of us Filipinos, remembering our dead is not just about mourning. It's about celebrating the lives they lived, the love they gave, and the legacy they left behind. It's a beautiful reminder that even though they are gone, they will always remain a part of who we are.