Beyond tradition: The Filipino Allstar way of celebrating ‘Undas’ in the new normal

All Saint’s Day and All Souls’ Day or ‘Undas’ for us Filipinos is undeniably one of the most celebrated traditions deeply rooted with love for family.  From 31 October to 2 November, families visit the resting places of their departed loved ones to offer prayers and food. Oftentimes, All Souls Day serves as  family reunions. Some would even fly all the way to various provinces to commemorate the life of their departed loved one.    

The COVID-19 pandemic however changed ‘Undas’ as local government and IATF restrictions prohibited people from visiting the cemeteries as part of health and safety measures.

Nonetheless, being known to exemplify ‘close family ties’, no pandemic can stop Filipinos from remembering their dearest loved ones - the same way the amazing Allstars have gone beyond the traditional ‘Undas’ as we embrace the new normal.

A sister’s Promise

AirAsia Senior Cabin Crew Henriette “Rie” Tirona lost her sister due to Stage 4 Colon Cancer a few weeks before November.  Rie remembered how she performed CPR to save the life of her sister, but to no avail.  The doctor who was on video call declared her sister dead on 13 October.

Due to travel restrictions, Rie’s relatives from different parts of the Philippines and abroad never got a chance to personally bid their goodbyes to her sister.

Since technology has played a huge part in online gatherings, however, her family has managed to come up with a virtual wake. They built an altar in their house where her sister’s urn was placed, and organized a 24/7 Zoom conference call to connect with their relatives living far from them. Even miles apart, they felt the togetherness as they offered online daily masses and prayers for the soul of her sister.

This All Souls’ Day, Rie’s family went on an out of town vacation. Rie shared that her sister was a diver and swimmer, and to spend ‘Undas’ on a beach trip was her plan before dying.  Despite the fact Rie’s sister wouldn’t be there to join them, Rie still pushed through with the plan. This way, she could honor her promise to her sister.

“We have different timelines in this world but what matters most is how we purposefully lived our lives. It's the journey that counts, so do what makes you happy everyday”, Rie shared these realizations since the passing of her sister.

Till death do us part

Guest Service Assistant Owen Richard Nunag’s wife passed away in July 2021.  Like many others, Pneumonia related to COVID-19 was the cause of her untimely death.  

Since the passing of his wife, time management has been the toughest challenge for him.  With his wife gone, Owen now works as a guest service assistant at AirAsia and a father-mother to his three daughters.  This, however, didn’t stop Owen from spending time with his wife as he made it a habit to visit her tomb in Gapan, Nueva Ecija during his day-off.  

With the present quarantine restrictions barring families from visiting their departed loved ones in the cemeteries, Owen plans on visiting his wife after ‘Undas’.  Though he never missed a day-off visit to his wife, he understands that ‘Undas’ is a tradition he has to keep with his in-laws in the province where his wife was laid to rest.  Though missing their first ‘Undas’, he knew his wife would understand.  Afterall, his love for his wife transcends time and  traditions.

“I will not give up.  I will continue to see her until my last breath.  It’s depressing to see your loved one passed away just like that, and you can't do anything to help her.  She is my life!  Half of my life was gone.  But life goes on.  And I believe in GOD’s plans”, Owen shared.

There is nothing more painful and unbearable than losing a loved one. What makes it more difficult now are the challenges brought by the various restrictions due to the global health crisis.

Despite all these, we never cease to innovate and find novel ways to make sure our love remains, not even death can set apart. For it is the bond of family that forever ties us to the after life.

Our loved ones may have left the world but never forgotten. Their fondest memories are dearly cherished and  will remain in our hearts endlessly. 

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