Putting Foods on the Table in Remembrance of our Departed Family Members, Loved Ones, and Relatives

Hello Hive! How are you today? I hope everyone is doing well. In my country, Philippines, where I live, we always celebrate All Saints’ Day on the first day of November, and All Souls’ Day on the second.

It is a tradition that most Filipino people practice even to those who live abroad or outside the country. It is part of our culture to prepare and placing different foods or dishes on the table as our way of remembering or honoring our departed family members, loved ones, and relatives.

Usually, we prepare their favorite foods and drinks. A lighted candle is also set on the table as a way of respect of our deceased loved ones. After then, the family members will pray altogether.

Afterwards, we can eat and enjoy some of the foods and beverages on the table. However, we are not allowed to consume it right away. It is part of our belief to leave some food for our deceased loved ones and relatives whom we believe that her or his soul may not yet visit our home. Therefore, we leave some food and drink for them.

I went to the cemetery on the second day and set a lighted candle and pray.

We believe that our deceased loved ones and relatives will visit our home on that night, that is why we are preparing foods and drinks for them, and on the second day, we will visit them in the cemetery to offer lighted candles and prayers.

I also set a lighted candle on the tomb of my childhood friend, Nida. She died due to sickness when I was in grade 2, and she was in grade 3 on that time. She spit blood. It happened too fast. She is my neighbor, and I call her my big sister.

I learned the traditional celebration since I was young, and my family keeps practicing it every year. Now that I am an adult and have my own home, I also practice this Filipino tradition, and I think nothing wrong with it as long as I don’t hurt or harm anybody. It is up to my son if he will also practice the belief and tradition in the future and pass it to his children and grandchildren.

Torts or Torta

Biscuits and Cookies

Fruits: Bananas, Pomelo, Strawberry Apple, and Apples

I only prepare the food that I can afford, such as bananas, pomelo, apples, strawberry apple, torta, biscuits, cookies, slice bread, pork soup, fish, and cooked white rice and corn grits. I do not prepare much because it is only my son and I in our house.

Traditionally, the dish that most Filipinos generally prepare on the celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day is the famous Rice Cake. We called it here in our country “Biko”.

Elongated Rice Cake or Budbud

There are different types of Rice Cakes. The Baked Rice Cake which we called in Filipino term “Bibingka”. The Elongated Rice Cake which we called “Budbud”. The Steamed Glutenous Rice which we called “Puto Maya”.

Baked Rice Cake or Bibingka

All Saints’ Day in our country is called “Araw ng mga Santo” while All Souls’ Day is called “Araw ng mga Kaluluwa” or “Araw ng mga Patay” in Filipino language.

Each place in every country has a unique culture, beliefs, and tradition. It was passed from generation to generation.

Some of it is just up to us if we will practice it or not, as long as you respect other people’s belief, cultures, and traditions.

That is how my son and I spent our holidays on the celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in my country, the Philippines. Thank you so much for reading my blog. Take care 😊