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| (Image Source: Asian Journal) |
The Philippines is now one of the top countries around the world that
is known for remembering the dead, and I assume that this has surprised you a
lot but it is all true and legit thanks to data recently released by no less than
the Australia-based online repository Skymorials.
According to the 2018 Skymorials Global Index, the Philippines is ranked second among 52 countries when it comes to remembering the dead with Mexico on top of the list and Indonesia being the third. Every country is assessed based on history, culture, religion and influence. In fact, they are being judged based on the beliefs and practices of five major religions in the world including Roman Catholic and Islam among others and I would guess that its huge religious influence contribute to the Philippines' impressive showing in remembering the dead.
But that's not all as stated in the Skymorials Global Index. Some of
the customs that are usually practiced when it comes to remembering the dead in
the Philippines include a nine-day novena and a 40-day fasting for immediate
families. Considering that majority of the Philippine population is Roman Catholic,
the national government's declaration of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day as
national holidays offer many Filipino families a chance to visit the dead in
where they were laid to rest.
Furthermore, their remembrance for the dead is more than just visiting
on various occasions as All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day are highly regarded
as special days for immediate families to sometimes stage a family reunion or a
small feast to make their visit more enjoyable. But during these times, major
cemeteries in the Philippines enforce strict rules and regulations for those
who want to visit their dead loved ones. Such practices are what makes
remembering the dead more fun in the Philippines.
Of course, there are beliefs and customs that are being practiced in
other parts of the Philippines but I guess Filipinos today have their own way
of remembering the dead and showing how much we love and miss them. This really
surprised me upon learning about it from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, but I guess
I want to share this in time for this year's celebration of All Saints' Day and
All Souls' Day.
