All Souls' Day,The Tsinoy Way: A Pictorial Guide

The Filipino-Chinese have an interesting way to commemorate their departed ones on All Souls Day. Although quite similar with the Catholics in terms of floral and candle offerings to the dead, the Tsinoys have many more unique traditions. Their offerings for the dead, for example, are more numerous, which included among others, food and "money" offerings.

Interestingly, after prayers and prostrations, the food is gathered together and taken home to be consumed by the worshippers themselves. Some foods, such as hopia, tikoy, and fruits are usually given to the Filipino tomb caretakers. It appears that the food offerings vary on occasions. Apparently, one cannot just offer any food to the dead. There is a particular food to be offered on birthdays, death anniversaries, and the like. Any mistake on this is considered blasphemy to the dead.

Additionally, the Chinese offer two sticks of incense to the dead (three to the gods), they light it , then bow to their dead relative, and plant the sticks in an urn in front of the tomb. They also burn kim (Chinese dead money) for they believe the dead relatives still need material things in the after-life. Although this may sound weird to non-Chinese, yet this kind of tradition has been practiced by the Chinese for centuries, believing that their dead will return the favor by giving them good luck, bless them and make their business prosper.

This photo-essay highlights some of the interesting All Soul's Day cultural traditions of the Chinese in the Philippines.

Entrance to the Manila Chinese Cemetery

The rich Chinese have a penchant for grand mausoleums.
This one inside the Manila Chinese Cemetery is one of the
grandest of its kind. It looks like a palace.

A marble lion is the standard guardian for the Chinese
tomb or mausoleum. Some Chinese, however, deviated from
the lion and instead put dragons or sphinxes as the guardians.

A typical look of the altar of the dead relatives in the family mausoleum. The patriarch and matriarch always occupy the two central tombs(the patriarch--or the husband, for that matter-occupy the right side), while beside them are their dead children.
The tomb with the red lapidary (at the far left) is still vacant, meaning the daughter/daughter-in-law is still living. It is traditional among the Chinese to build a tomb even if the person to occupy it is still living...I kind of think that it is cool, to look at your grave even before you kicked the bucket. Only, we Filipinos find it quite morbid, while the Chinese find it practical. By the way, the Chinese also have the unique tradition of putting the pictures of their dead on the tomb or altar. It is a good way to always remember the faces of the departed ones.

This family gives respect and honor to their dead parents. They offer candles,
foods, incense, and prayers. Kneeling in front of the tomb is a
strong tradition that honors the dead and signifies ancestor-worship.

The burning of incense is an inherent part of the Chinese offerings to their dead. Amazingly, I was offered some incense by this man to be given to his dead parents. I didn't know how to do it, but seeing his example, I took the two sticks, lighted it in a candle, held it in front of my forehead and then knelt in front of the tomb. I then planted the incense in the urn. The man was glad that I respected his parents. I seriously do, but personally I felt like I was just acting.

The Chinese offer lavish foods to their dead ones. This woman offered several to her parents: Hopia, Siopao, Coke(hhhhmm..not diet?), Pancit Canton, Fried Chicken, Monay Putok, Siomai, etc.
The Chinese woman insisted that I take home some of the Monay Putok, but I never eat food offerings. I still accepted it though so as not to embarrass the kindly lady. At home, I dipped it into my hot coffee and it tasted good. Next time I will ask for some more.

The seated Chinese lady burned several candles to honor her parents. The candles must be colored red, as it was a lucky color among the Chinese. These particular candles have the design of golden dragons which is also lucky among the Chinese. The Filipinos, on the other hand, prefer simple white candles without designs.
By the way, you can see the Pinoy tomb caretakers behind the kindly lady, waiting for their pay...and the molten candles(15 pesos/kilo). They also hoped to be given some of the food offerings. They got many, actually, as the lady was really kind.
The caretakers later told me that their other bosses are not as kind,...that all the foods are being brought home..."Di man lang nagbigay kahit hopia...putsa"...he told me.

The "kim" or the dead's money. The Chinese roll it like a lumpia and then burn it inside a huge tin can. The smoke filled the air, but the Chinese were happy because the smoke means that the money goes to their relatives in the heaven.

Outside the mausoleum, the Chinese also burn candles. I asked to whom these candles are for, the Chinese said that it was for their dead relatives in China...Very thoughtful of them huh?

Chinese Catacombs. Those who cannot afford the grand mausoleums also have their own pantheons in the Chong Hock Tong Temple, and many other smaller crypts that abound in the cemetery. The Chinese have the tradition to paste colorful papel-de-hapon flags into their dead relatives tombs. I asked what it was for, the kindly old Chinese man (who wasn't very fluent in Tagalog) answered me in Tagalog: "Syempule pag kami dalaw amin pa-tay pala din piyesta para masaya. Murami din blessings balik"......ah ok, I get it....

This one I don't understand. It seemed like every Chinese go here to light a candle, offer some foods, and pray a little while. This must be a god or something? The foods are many, but many street children who were temporarily allowed in the cemetery collected the first batch of food offerings. That proves once more the old saying, "Masinop ang mga Tsinoy, pero maagap ang mga Pinoy" hehehe.....