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
* * *
Thanks
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