KALAG-KALAG (All Souls/Saints Day)


Back in the days where spirits believed to roam during halloween, people stayed in the house at night to avoid ghostly malevolence. It was a moment of passing oral traditions, knowing more of the departed loved ones and of endless tales form the land of Hades.

Kagud ug lubi (grating coconut)
Traditional treats like Bibingka (rice cake), Suman - sticky rice wrapped in banana or palm leaf, Biko - caramelized sticky rice and Torta are the main staples. The whole family/clan give a hand in preparing for the treats as everything is done manually back then. The men are assigned to grate and milk the coconut using the "Kaguran" and grinding the sticky rice where the girls will tend the cooking.



Biko


suman
torta

bingka

Suman-Ibos



The treats are served and shared among relatives and friends. A piece or two are offered to the dear departed atop his tomb or altar together with his favorite drinks, be it Tuba, Siok-Tong, Tanduay, Cerveza or softdrinks.

Gone are the days of silent Kalag-Kalag eve as it succumbed to the tentacles of commercialization. Traditions are slowly melting  and are replaced by "Trick or Treat", ghoulish costumes and parties.   the breakdown of cultural identity are subliminally unnoticed by its nuance.





The convenience of modern living allows quick and easy preparation of Kalag-Kalag treats. Grating coconut and grinding sticky rice are done by electrical machine. If you don't want the hassle of preparing, most goodies are mass produced commercially. What is missing is the precious time spent with relatives creating something out from the labor of love.










Comments