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Thursday, October 28, 2010

All Souls Day VS Halloween

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Except for those homes located in posh villages, offices, and shopping malls. Halloween is not a great festivity in the Philippines. Most Filipinos would rather be at memorial parks and cemeteries to be with their departed loved ones. We visit departed loved ones on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, bringing candles and flowers. To some, just to avoid traffic jams, they visit as early as a week before or on the 31th of Oct or 2nd of Nov.

All Souls Day is the 2nd of Nov. following All Saints Day. In the Philippines, however, we celebrate All Souls Day on the 31st of Oct through the 1st of Nov. Traditionally All Souls Day is great fiesta for Filipinos. It had been handed down from generation to generations. Filipino families gather themselves at the place where departed loved ones were laid to rest. Some would stay overnight from the 31st of Oct. to the 1st of Nov. To some however, they spend the vigil lavishly. Such that, some would bring wines and liquors, intoxicating themselves forgetting some wants to celebrate the occasion solemnly in prayers. To maintain peace and order, police officers are posted inside memorial parks and cemeteries. Bags are inspected from the entrance. Items like, karaoke, kitchen knives, playing cards are confiscated and returned to the owners upon leaving the area.

I visited my parents with my brother and sister in law, Monday 25th of October. Good enough I heeded the advice of my sis in law. I filed vacation leave for Friday, 29th of Oct. Lady luck did not smile at me. The vacation leave was not approved. The 1st of Nov. is a holiday in the Philippines, but sad to say. No holiday for those working in Call Centers. The good news is we get additional pay working on Philippine holidays.

17 comments:

Jane said...

I hope that you are able to take time off soon! I know that working in customer service and especially in a call center can be highly stressful.

Jane

Ryan said...

Halloween is treated as a fun day for kids here, just pull a sicky from work.

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Jolly Princess said...

@Jane- Hopefully my vl for Christmas gets approved. @Ryan- The trick or treat activities at the shopping malls are what make the kids enjoy Halloween. @Shahbazz - Welcome to my blog. ;)

beanizer_05 said...

sorry mommy you didn't had the leave, i will spank you boss with my stinky diapy!

indeed, you're right. We Pinoys gave these precious times with our departed loved ones. It's been a tradition at home to place food, liquors and cigars along with the candles on the altar..they say our lolos and lolas would love to smell those stuffs..good thing they don't like my chocos and lollies..guess lollies are threats to my lolas and lolos teeth..right??

NENSA MOON said...

Same here JP... halloween was not too populer here... I myself never celebrate that festivity day..

Thanks for sharing some info of your some festive day in Filipine..
it's such an interesting thing to be known.

all the best,
nensa

sudhi said...

so sad tht u didn't get ur leave..
btw u knw wat in India people hardly know abt Halloween lolzzz....

Jolly Princess said...

@beanizer_05- Hi Baby Batman :) You always amaze me with your witty jokes. Thanks for making me smile every time I read your comment. @Nensa - Glad I could share some Filipino beliefs and traditions. @Sudhi- The trick or treats is just what make me thinks of Halloween. I do not like something that will frightens me. I do not even see horror movies for that matter. :)

Carole Barkett said...

Interesting how different countries can be, thanks for your comment to me about mice, they can be a real unwanted pest

Melanie said...

Sorry to hear you that were not able to get the vacation but at least you'll get additional pay.

All the kids here in Canada look forward to Halloween!

Jill Wellington said...

I wondered if the Philippines had trick or treat. Halloween is a big holiday here with costumes and candy.

Thanks for sharing your custom. I love learning about other cultures.

Glad you got to visit your mom :)

roffe said...

Never heard about All Souls day before last week..I've had only three weeks vacation this year.

Jolly Princess said...

@Country Mouse Studio & @Jill Wellington - Yes, blogging enables me to connect to the world, young and old. I have a blog follower here as young as 11 years old. I am glad to know the different cultures as well. Yes Jill we do celebrate trick or treat here. Big shopping malls sponsor trick or treat for the kids complete with costumes.

Jolly Princess said...

@Melanie- It is alright friend even if they did not grant my one day leave. But I do hope they would in Dec. Yes, we do have trick or treat here too, but mostly sponsored by big shopping malls. @roffe- You are lucky to have 3 weeks vacation leave. In the Philippines for private companies we are entitled only 2 weeks. A blogger friend posted in his blog same All Souls Day celebration in Mexico.

jeanlivingsimple said...

I knew that Mexico celebrated All Souls Day but didn't know y'all did also. Oh...I grew-up with the trick or treating but now honor my ancestors on this day. If I can't visit their graves I set-up a table with candles with pictures and talk to them...sometimes I "think" they answer. Which is always cool!

Jolly Princess said...

@Jean- Exactly like we do it here in the Philippines, Jean. Another blogger friend posted a topic about All Souls Day in Mexico. :♥)

Jill Wellington said...

Love the update...I LOL at the customer asking what all the screaming was about!!! That looked like a ton of fun for Halloween. The tree was awesome.

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