We have a lot of celebrations like wedding, birthdays, fiesta, and many other yearly tradition that we enjoy. Among these celebrations, Christmas is my top favorite and since I want to save my stories about Christmas for December, I will go for my second on the list which is the Halloween.

Yes, as a typical Filipino we celebrate Halloween, not with a trick or treat but with a family gathering. How I spent it? Let me first share you first some of our beliefs during the day of burial.

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Burial : Beliefs and Tradition

Years ago when my grandfather died due to cancer(May God Bless his soul), and everyone filled with pain because of that. He was a strict father but a very kind and loving grandfather. I know it is God's will to let him rest; a blessings in disguise.

Every one of us wears white on the day of burial as a sign of peace. We relatives must pass under his coffin before delivering him to the cemetery. Those men carrying the coffin raise it higher, and everyone begins to pass beneath it. There is no turning back; once you have passed, you should not look back. I remember my aunt holds my head so I don't look back when it's my turn to pass.

The next stop will be the church, where a mass must be held to bless and pray for the soul of my grandfather. This is also the location where his children will speak in front of all of his relatives about his life in this world. Everyone must then form a line to shower him with holy water after. The final stop is at the cemetery. There was still a short prayer, and then a time to place flowers above his coffin before they will bury it. This is what the elders told us: don't let your tears fall into the coffin. I don't know what is the reason behind this, but we prefer to follow it.

I wasn't in the mood to eat bread at the time, so I hid mine in my shoulder bag until my mother noticed it and told me to bring it out and eat it. I asked her why, and she said, "It's for respect, and it's already dirty when you bring it home." Food prepared for the cemetery should not be brought home; it should be left or done in the cemetery. Finally, before we go home, we this. what we call "pa-usok," in which we start a fire and then extinguish it to create smoke through which we must pass and step out. There is no going back; once you are done, you should not return.

Halloween Celebration

Most Filipinos celebrate Halloween between the last week of October up to the second day of November. In our family, we go to the cemetery every November 1 or 2, which is All Saint's day and All Soul's day respectively.

This is our second-biggest gathering, where all of our relatives go to the cemetery. There are layco/laity (are church members who can preside bible study and conduct property blessings; such as house blessings) who you can easily approach to conduct a short prayer for your loved ones. After the short prayer, we have some goods for my grandfather.

The first is the flower, which is the most common gift for loved ones. At the cemetery, you don't have to worry about this because when this event occurred, there were many vendors available. Since we have a lot of flowers, it's me and my mother who prepare it at home. Next was the food; we always give a small amount of food. But always remember to open it so that the souls of your loved ones can smell and taste the aroma of the food. We put some drinks(an alcoholic drink), because my grandfather used to drink when was with us. So my grandmother always brought some for him. After this, we will all gather at my grandmother's house and cook different foods, that aside for gathering again, it's my cousin's birthday also.

When we got home at night, we made an altar with candles and foods for my mom's parents, who died when she was young. We put a candle in each door of our house, a belief that it will light their path as they enter.

All these things are done to respect and pray for their souls; that will always remains in our heart

This is my entry for @LykeLyca 's one year anniversary here in read.cash. To you Sis, happy anniversary and I wish you for more success here in read.cash and also in your personal life. May GOD Bless you more!

If you guys want to join her giveaways you can read it here.

#13

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Lead image was edited using PicsArt

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Author's love message :

Hello lovely readers!

How was your day?

We have different beliefs and tradition, but there is only one thing that we must have, and it is to respect. For those readers out there who are still crying inside because of their love ones who passed away. May GOD heal your heart and trust him with all your heart.

For you to fully understand this beliefs of us, I recommend you to watch Coco and The Book of Life, these two are animated film which can teach you about the meaning and importance of the life in other world.

GOD Bless!

Sending hugs.

Ps. Once again thank you Sis Bloghound for the renewal of your sponsorship. You are always there to support us. Just want to Flex you again and again. To Lucifer01 who likes to dedicate articles to us, that was so sweet. May you have a more fruitful journey here.

September 15, 2021

-Ling