Christians and Catholics visit their deceased loved ones in memorial grounds, remembering, praying, offering flowers and lighting up candles every year in this season of serenity and solemnity. The time where we perpetuate the communion of all the saints and bereavement reserved for our long-gone relatives.
Strange though it may seem, before the pandemic began most Filipinos set up picnics in graveyards and memorial parks having a small feast in front of the gravestone. But why do we keep on this tradition?
This is a strong tradition that’s been observed up until now. Undas is a major holiday in the Philippines, adopted from the Spaniards on account of spreading christianity throughout the region and has become a huge part of Filipino culture. Although, this year's holiday will be a lot different from what we’ve been used to, this won’t stop the Filipinos from valuing the traditions.What we are accustomed to will be possible through cyberspace.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Radio Veritas, and Quiapo Church opened their respective online platforms to continue the tradition in a virtual world. A year ago CBCP Media Officer Msgr. Pedro Quitorio said, "There will be live online Masses that will be streamed from different places,”. Virtual visitation through Google street view, prayer and candle lighting will be possible through CBCP’s “Undas” website. The Himlayang Pilipino in Quezon City also opens “Virtual Dalaw” for the public.
Conceivably, as soon as Filipinos will be vaccinated, the quarantine is lifted, and the transmission of virus will slow down ─ we might go back to the usual days where we can talk with our relatives with no technology in between. But more than anything else, Undas season really helps reunite families from different parts of the world virtually and physically, because the sense of belongingness has been and will always be at the backdrop of Filipino identity.
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