BE SOLEMN.
This was the message of Msgr. Joseph Tan, Cebu Archdiocese spokesperson, to the faithful who are set to observe the All Saints’ Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 and All Souls’ Day on Saturday, Nov. 2. These two days are referred to as kalag-kalag in Cebuano-speaking places.
“Among the things that we should do are visit the cemeteries, participate in masses and offer prayers for our deceased loved ones,” he said.
Tan said everybody should be grateful to parents, mentors and friends who have passed on.
He said the kalag-kalag is also the perfect time for family bonding.
The priest said not to confuse kalag-kalag with Halloween, which he said has “no meaning” because of its pagan roots and it is too commercialized.
The Church, he said, discourages the faithful from celebrating Halloween, adding that “it’s teaching us the wrong values or beliefs.”
Meanwhile, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City is on a heightened alert as part of its preparations for the kalag-kalag, during which an influx of passengers is expected on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Additional security personnel were deployed to terminals 1 and 2, said Julius Romo, security head of GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp., which manages MCIA.
Help desks have been put in place at arrival areas to assist travelers. Police and medical personnel were also deployed at MCIA.
Romo said the airport’s heightened alert status will end on Monday, Nov. 4. (WBS, from HBL of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL)