By Butch Galicia
Bewitched. Two years past, I put on a bloody red devil’s mask, with horns and beard. On seeing me, my granddaughter exclaimed: “Look, a goat!”
Last year, I put on a very ugly mask. My body covered in black cloth, I stood in the dark. A candle flickered in front of my head. As soon as my grandson walked out of his room and saw me, he froze and said: “Hi, Lolo!”
This year, I’m not wearing one. I feel a mask can’t beat originality.
Bothered. Dressed as a zombie, my grandson moved around the living room. I feigned fear, but he went past me. “Wanna eat my brain?” I shrieked. He moaned, “Are you kidding?”
Midnight of Halloween, I don’t stare at mirrors, afraid that it might reflect a headless image. I also don’t look at my shadow, fearing I might see a decapitated one. More than that is the creepy proof: No head, no brains.
Bewildered. An imp wrote Maria, thanking her for the yummy pumpkin pie. Maria replied: “You are welcome. Tell me, what happened to the small candles?”
*****
During the good old days, Halloween was that time of the year when streets were abuzz with children and adults in happy nocturnal abandon. They had on costumes that made them look like freaky creatures of the dark. Today, the landscape looks like Comic Con.
Eons ago, Halloween was a fun-filled community celebration. Porches sported smiling skeletons and Jack O’ Lanterns, hanging bats and Casper. Friendly homes teemed with folks showing love and sharing homemade treats.
Though themed on the supernatural and occult, fear and harm was never intended. Everyone went home safe.
Today, every soul is told to be alert and on guard against lurking shadows that pose threats to life and limb, even before they could get into their fancy outfits.
Going tricking or treating? No, it’s cold outside.
*****
Well, it’s this time of the year when the mysteries of the supernatural, the romantic appeal of darkness and the seemingly ghastly topic of death hog the limelight. Let’s live with it.
Play the Ouija Board. The fear is all in the mind. Disagreeing? Then make do with Snakes and Ladders.
Call the bad spirits. Don’t drink them.
Enjoy the goose bumps. It’ll be off to the south soon.
And make friends with the Grin Reaper.
*****
Both legal non-working holidays, All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day the day after are being commemorated in the Philippines. Since Friday (October 30), the annual traditional trek to cemeteries has begun.
Niches are spruced up with white paint or the ever reliable kalburo.
Graveside spaces — some shaded by acacia, aratiles and balite trees — are prepared for the only occasion during the year that makes everyone, dead or alive, feel wanted.
On November 1 and 2, kindred and friends somberly gather around a departed’s resting place to honor and pay respects to the dead. They offer flowers, light candles, and say prayers.
Then they recall and talk about how great those six feet under were when the latter was on and above ground; after which they catch up on each other’s lives.
Near dusk, they pack up and head home, unwittingly leaving a place they will be returning to in due time.
During the very long weekend, it’s really nice if the dearly departed gets more quality time from the living.
*****
Sadly, a lot of things have since changed.
Once observed with unfailing respect for the dead, the holidays have become prime time for the irreverent to publicly display the uncouth ways of the living.
Instead of bonding as a family unit, the young once break into smaller groups to play mahjong, card games and bingo. Some take to texting, digital video games, and selfies.
Instead of sharing notes to build up kinship, others engage in idle gossip, as in ‘Will AlDub win in 2016?’
The young ones bring digital audio gadgets and play ear-splitting ‘muzik’ that can wake the dead. When they ask for a cemetery stay-over, they intend to keep up a loud party, not to keep vigil like in quiet wakes.
Children of yore used to go around collecting and rolling melted candles into balls; the bigger, the better for bragging rights and the fun of it. Today, kids over two years old say it’s more fun to stay put and press LCDs.
Junk food wrappers, tin cans, plastic bags and used flowers still litter burial grounds, despite the trash bins.
The disrespect, the mess and the noise are enough to make the dead toss and turn. If the living hates hell-like conditions, so do the dead.
I can’t wait for that day when the dead sue for invasion of privacy and hear them plead with sarcasm: “Ang babait n’yo. Sana kunin na rin kayo ni Lord.”
*****
There must be some or so pluses.
Very notable is how many public cemeteries keep up to the times and have adapted to progress.
Empty tombs have been converted to condo-type resting places, those rows of one-deathbed apartments that reach up to four or more levels high … elevators, escalators and hydro excluded. As is where is.
People are also getting more polite. “Excuse me” is said more often, as people squeeze their way through a mass of other people to get to a grave; “Oops!”, when they inadvertently step on a grave.
Under these conditions, one may ask: Who is saddled with overpopulation, the living or the dead? Whoever or whatever, this must be why so many buy “from creation to cremation.”
They say cremation saves on time, space and cold cash. But more than the savings, the urn that houses a departed’s ashes offers a visible medium to bring back sweet thoughts and great memories.
I say I still root for Nature’s way; of course, subject to applicability and viability.
*****
Being away from the homeland does not discourage Filipinos and citizens of Philippine origins to mark All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
Weather and time permitting are not uttered, when they visit the graves of their dearly departed.
For those who have no loved ones under foreign soil, I’m sure that on these days of saints and souls, to honor and respect the dead is the cherished goal.
A special candle will light up a doorstep and an altar; the scent of fresh flowers won’t be afar.
A picture will get a hug and a kiss; those in the Great Beyond are sorely missed.
A tear will fall and likely roll; a deep sense of longing pervades over all.
A sincere prayer will be whispered; repeated before the breaking of bread.
An extra plate will adorn the table; a ring, a watch, anything a beloved once owned will be visible.
A fleeting thought says they are gone for sure; but in the heart, their memory will forever endure. (butchgalicia@yahoo.com)