お茶の間留学

The scorching heat. The crowded stations. The unending, long queue for bus tickets. These are only a few of the many struggles I endure every November in order to reach my cherished birthplace of Cebu, which lies to the south. This is not unique to me; over thousands of Cebuanos are going through the same thing. Here goes the big question: Why willingly go through with the hustle and bustle?

All of this is done to commemorate All Saints Day, a Christian holiday devoted to remembering the saints and showing reverence for the deceased. This tradition shares some similarities with the Obon festival in its focus on honoring the deceased.

During this day, we visit cemeteries to offer flowers and candles. My family often offers food on the altar and says prayers for our ancestors. Our forefathers are said to visit us in the guise of insects when we are young. My younger sister once took care of a large moth, believing it to be our great-grandmother.

In my opinion, this custom goes far beyond simply marking a day of remembrance; it's about maintaining a close bond with our loved ones - dead or alive.