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Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Antalan: Remembering the departed
By Roger P. Antalan
Dateline Igacos
ALL Souls Day is really a reunion day. The cities and towns are quiet. All roads lead to the cemetery. Many people go to the cemetery to light candles, bring flowers and pray, but also to meet with long lost relatives and friends in a picnic-like reunion. A great number spend bonding with their families and friends in beach and in-land resorts.
By staying at the cemetery on All Souls Day, I get to know those who were close to my father and mother in the past. They always pass by and light candles. And they tell wonderful stories that my parents had done for them. All these have enriched our loving remembrance of our parents. In turn, we tell our children to pray to their lolo and lola, who were saints with a small s.
In the past, it was the priest who goes around blessing the graves. Now the lay leaders of the liturgy are the ones who do the blessing the dead. However, a priest from our town, Fr. Edgar Rodriguez, always comes to pray for the souls of our loved ones, when he visits the remains of his parents.
Some former residents find it hard to locate the graves of their dead. It has been a long, long time since their last visit. They really have a problem where to light their candles and lay their wreaths.
This reminds me of the story of a very successful businesswoman who was opening a new branch office. A friend decided to send a floral arrangement for the grand opening. When he arrived at the opening, he was appalled to find that this wreath bore the inscription, "Rest in Peace." Angry, he complained to the florist. After apologizing, the florist said, "Look at this way--somewhere a man was buried under a wreath today that said, "Good luck in your new location."
Many cemeteries are already crowded nowadays. Looking for new locations have been very problematic. Real estate is very expensive and there is still the aversion of many people living near cemeteries. Cremation is still not acceptable to many people. Memorial parks are very expensive for the poor and the ordinary citizen.
Ma. Ceres P. Doyo in a recent article in the Inquirer captioned "Enhancing the earth with our bodies," mentioned that "ecologists tell us that the best way to bury the dead is to dig a hold in the ground, gently lay the dead in there and cover it with soft, warm earth. There the dead breaks down into different elements and participates in the earth's life-giving process, why consign a corpse to an airlines, concrete tomb where it cannot enrich various life forms?"
Dying will be less expensive. The latest news of cheap coffins made of customs is applicable. What is important is that the dead bodies are recycled.
Whatever is returned to the earth lives again and again and lives forever. Katas ng Patay will have a new and value-added meaning. It will be wonderful to remember the dead amongst green plants, flowers, the trees and the birds without spending a lot.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (November 1, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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