My Father’s 1st Year Death Anniversary

This was the lay-out of the tarpauline I made for my father’s 1 year death anniversary yesterday.  We went to his grave , the columbary at St. Peter Church in Commonwealth, Quezon City, where his ashes are.  Said a prayer in there and attended a mass for his souland had dinner at Pancake House.

As Filipino tradition dictates, the 1st year marks the babang luksa or end of the mourning of the family of the departed.  This is where the family ends wearing black or the black pin and change to colorful or the usual colored clothes.  It is also a tradition to do the “wagwagan” or make some noise and party since the 1st year is said to be the departed’s complete detachment from the physical world to the spiritual plane or to heaven.  Everyone should celebrate and party.

It was a close family affair with my aunt as the only visitor, my mother’s youngest sister.  Clockwise: My mom, my aunt, older sister,  nephew, me, daughter, niece, sis-in-law and older brother.