お茶の間留学

For many Filipinos, November 1st isn't just All Saints' Day; it's Undas. More than a solemn holiday, Undas is a deeply personal and meaningful tradition that brings families together across the archipelago. It's a time when our love for our departed ancestors and loved one shines brightest, a testament to the strong family ties that are at the heart of Filipino culture. The observance of Undas often begins days before November 1st. Families travel back to their provinces, sometimes enduring long bus rides and heavy traffic, all for the chance to be with relatives and visit the family's final resting place. The cemeteries transform into vibrant, bustling communities. Graves are meticulously cleaned, repainted, and adorned with fresh flowers—from simple bouquets to elaborate wreaths of chrysanthemums and everlasting flowers. Candles are lit, their flickering flames a silent prayer and a beacon for the souls we've come to visit.  

    But Undas isn't just about cleaning and decorating. It's a reunion. Families gather around the gravesite, spreading out blankets and feasting on favorite dishes of the deceased, from pansit and adobo to lechon. Stories and laughter fill the air as generations share memories of those who have passed on. Children play, cousins catch up, and elders recount family histories. It's a day that blurs the line between sorrow and celebration, proving that remembrance can be a joyful, communal experience.

October 2018 Theme Contest : UNDAS - Focus Bulacan Online

~重要単語~

testament : 遺言･遺書

meticulously : 注意深く

lit: 火をともした(lightの過去形・過去分詞)

reunion: 再会の集い

blurs : 曖昧になる(blurの三人称単数現在)