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November 02, 2018

Filipinos mark All Souls' Day in cemeteries

Filipino Catholics remember their deceased loved ones by trooping to cemeteries even before the actual observance of All Souls' Day on Nov. 2.

On Nov. 1, All Saints' Day, as the Catholic Church observes All Saints' Day, Filipinos start going to cemeteries, creating monstrous traffic jams along the way.

On top of the tombs of their loved ones, they would hold vigil the whole night, praying, sharing food and stories, and even singing and dancing.

Filipino author Florentino Hornedo wrote that Filipino celebrations endure because "it is rooted in the communitarian and expressive instincts of human nature.

"It is a durable venue for Filipino cultures and expressions ... and is a symbol of Filipino sense of community." 

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UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia