Faith isn’t cancelled--- Ondoy Kalag

Aurelio "Ondoy Kalag"Gahit says a cemetery is a reminder for closure and healing. Photo: Leo Udtohan

All Saints Day and All Souls Day this weekend won’t be the same. 

The pandemic has forced authorities to close cemeteries to prevent the traditional Nov. 1-2 observances when entire families clean and visit tombs, light candles and chat with their deceased relatives, perhaps a luncheon and over a glass of their favorite beverage.

Personal faith celebrations like All Saints Day and All Souls Day, however, are being given their time to shine.

“Faith isn’t cancelled,” said Aurelio "Ondoy Kalag" Gahit. 

Ondoy has long been retired as caretaker of the Victoria Memorial Park (ViMPark). 

"Ondoy Kalag", who is synonymous to ViMPark, clarified that there are still ways to honor sacred holidays like All Saints Day and All Souls Day. 

"Pray for your loved ones. Pray the Holy Rosary. You know what praying the Holy Rosary is a unique way to add meaning to these days of solemn celebration," he said. 

Ondoy has spent most of his life at ViMPark that he, well, perfectly memorize all the names and locations of your loved ones.

He is also famous for his “graveside etiquette” to behave during a graveside service with the same attitude of respect and courtesy.

Ondoy said cemeteries reveal a lot about a place and its people.

He added that people might think a cemetery would make us feel sadder because it is a very stark reminder of the reality of our loss. But for him, although sadness is pronounced, a cemetery is a reminder for closure and healing.

Memories give comfort as people also visited the tombs of their loved ones.

Cemeteries save us from the fading of memory and history. Photo: Leo Udtohan

To all those who’ve gone ahead, our prayers and flowers.

From the press: Dean of Boholano journalists Zoilo Dejaresco, Palanca winner and Bohol Sunday Post columnist Cloviz Nazareno, radio reporter Fil “Hitman” Layao, Bohol Balita Daily News publisher Tony Silagon, Bohol Sunday Post columnist-lawyer Isabelo Sales, dyTR’s Showbiz Chikka anchor Anzing Poquita, radio reporter Ben Pingkian, Bohol Sunday Post publisher Boy Guingguing,  Bohol Standard publisher and Tagbilaran councilor- lawyer Aleckoy Lim, broadcaster Nestor Daarol,  Reynaldo Daro, Sr. , Engr./Chairman Maurito Lim, Loy Palapos, Joseph Ligan, Alejandro Amoguis, people’s lawyer Tim Cabatos, Jessie Bantugan and Nilo Sapong. 

To end this column, I am again putting out the lyrics of one of my favorite songs "Dust In The Wind" by Kansas (at the risk of sounding like a broken record)  that has a humbling effect on me. 

Listen closely and be humbled by the song’s message:

Dust in the Wind

by Kansas

I close my eyes, only for a moment

And the moment’s gone

All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity

Dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind

Same old song, just a drop of water

In an endless sea

All we do crumbles to the ground

Though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind

Now, don’t hang on, nothing lasts forever

But the earth and sky

It slips away, and all your money

Won’t another minute buy

Dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind

Dust in the wind

Everything is dust in the wind    

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook/Instagram.