'EVERYONE dies, but no one is dead,' so goes an ancient Tibetan saying.Today, we celebrate the second of two holidays which have been integrated not only into religious celebrations but also in our culture, traditions and folk beliefs.Nov. 1, which we celebrated yesterday after frenzied preparations in the light of Typhoon Kristine, is known to us as All Saints' Day. Actually, this day was originally intended as a celebration and reflection on the lives of saints. Thus, we meditate on their lives and their deeds. Those who believe in the miraculous powers of saints seek their intercession for assorted desires which can be largely personal.Nov. 2 was declared as 'All Souls' Day' when we are enjoined to remember our dearly departed, visit their tombs and have reunions with family and friends.Interestingly, in the Philippines, Nov. 1 is now dedicated to our dearly departed. As for Nov. 2, which is today, I am not sure if we spend it reflecting on the lives of saints. I really don't know when the switch occurred since I am not a theologian.UndasWhether it should be Nov. 1 or Nov. 2, we Filipinos in typical fashion commune with our dead and celebrate Undas in grand, bongga fashion.Those who can afford it build pantheons which are actually extensions of their homes, complete with bedrooms, kitchens, restrooms and salas. They sleep in these structures before Undas day. As a young person, my friends and I used to spend part of the day touring the cemeteries of the rich to admire the design and beauty of these mansions for the dead.Those who cannot afford elaborate pantheons cook their meals, bring sleeping gear and furniture right beside their dearly beloveds' tombs, cook beside Lolo's pantheon and sleep on top of Lola's humble edifice.Indeed, Undas is fiesta time for the dead — flowers, food, music and even TV complete with Netflix. It is a good thing that carnivals, amateur singing contests and gambling are still strictly prohibited.Thus, Undas is the time for the living to visit the dead.Kalag-kalagIn many places in the Visayas, the term used for Undas is Kalag-kalag. This is the time when the souls of the dead visit the living, and not the other way around. After the required visit to the cemetery, family and friends would gather in each other's houses and celebrate the lives of their dearly beloved. Traditional Visayan dishes would be served. Family and friends could engage in 'pangalag.' This is to symbolize the belief that the dead visit the living. If their digestive systems can tolerate it, they can visit several homes, partake of food, share conversations and memories as living representatives of the dead.At night, it is believed that the dead themselves physically visit the living. Thus, candles are usually lit to ensure that the dead will go to the right home and not get lost.The current practices of Undas and Kalag-kalag are a mixture of religious beliefs, pagan rituals, superstition, fantasy and mythology. Government has joined the fray and declared Nov. 1 a holiday.Ancient beliefs hold that the living are not really separate from the dead. They are in different dimensions, that is all. Christians themselves believe in the immortal soul and that God judges both the living and the dead.'Everyone dies, but no one is dead.'
