PRAYING. A woman prays for her departed kin at the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery in Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, the date observed as All Saints’ Day in the Catholic world. In Cebuano-speaking areas in the Philippines, the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2) is called “Kalag-kalag.” / HONEY COTEJO
KALAG-KALAG, which spans the observance of All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2), is an annual tradition for Cebuanos.
It is a significant time for Cebuanos. It is the time of the year when they visit cemeteries to light candles, offer their prayers for their departed loved ones, and place flowers on their graves.
It is not just a celebration or a time for family reunions. Kalag-kalag serves as a reminder that dying is part of life.
Saying that death is part of life might seem a worn-out cliche; however, it is and will always be part of human existence.
Death is happening today, and it will happen again tomorrow and in the days to come.
At some point in the future, every human being will slip into the big sleep, with eyes forever closed.
Kalag-kalag serves as a reminder for the living that remembering the departed is part of life.
Without one’s ancestors, one would not exist in the world.
