Todos Los Santos, Todos Los Muertos

CEBU, Philippines - November 1 is All Saints Day. With the Philippines’ rich Spanish influence, we have grown up to observing the “Todos los santos.” This is a major holiday among Roman Catholics to honor all saints – known or unknown.

This practice, though, revolves around remembering all the dead. May he or she be sinner or saint. People visit the graves of their dearly departed even on Nov. 1.

Going there ahead of the November 2 schedule, which is the real “All Souls Day” or “Todos los muertos,” is intended more for the cleanup of graves or mausoleums. On the very day itself of the observance, candles are lighted and flowers and prayers are offered.

It is from the word “muerto” that Filipinos have coined the word “multo” (ghost or specter).

According to typicallyspanish.com, Todos los santos is particularly a large event in Cadiz province, Andalucia, where it’s known by the shortened form of “Tosantos.”

These “santoses” are either the martyrs of the Church or those who died serving and glorifying the Lord in their lives, may they be clergymen or laymen.

Across three decades, I’ve seen how my maternal grandparents observe religiously All Saints and All Souls Days. They would recite the rosary. They would offer prayers, intended for the redemption of souls from purgatory, in the form of a novena. I think that the concept of purgatory is the driving force in the continued observance of these special days. This is because we connect to the idea that our fervent prayers can eventually “purify souls and lead them out of darkness.”

Favorite food items of dead loved ones like cakes and pastries, and main dishes are offered on an altar with tuba (coconut toddy) and softdrink to match. This is in line with the belief that ancestors would visit our homes or knock at our doors for gifts.