BEHIND THE DEFINITIONS: UNDAS AND HALLOWEEN
PART OF "UNDAS: A HALLOWEEN AND CHALLENGING HORROR AND MYTHS" SERIES
Photo: Nandini Aggarwal / Pinterest
Author: Ken Klark L. Flores
Introduction
What you believe in horror? Or something honorary? This Allhallowtide in the Philippines, from Late October to Early November, let's see the behind the definition of Undas and Halloween
Definition
Undas is a filipino name for the annual tradition of celebrating All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). It is a time when families honor and remember their departed loved ones with a mix of solemn and festive observances. The tradition is rooted in the Catholic faith, but has incorporated indigenous Filipino customs over time. The term "Undas" is derived from the Spanish word honras, meaning "honors".
It comes from the Spanish word "honras" (honors) or the Spanish phrase "Unos Dias de las Almas y de los Santos," which means "Days of the Souls and of the Saints". This evolved from "honras funebres" (funeral honors) (Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office, 2016)
Halloween, the night before All Saints' Day became known as "All Hallows' Eve," or the evening before All Hallows' Day. This name was eventually shortened to "Hallowe'en" and then "Halloween" (History, 2009' Updated 2025). In Catholic Origins, The word "Halloween" is a contraction of "All Hallows' Eve," the vigil for the Feast of All Saints' Day. Allhallowtide is a triduum (three-day observance) that takes place from October 31 to November 2 (Lynch, 2021).
The word, "Hallow", comes from the Old English for "holy", The greek word "hagiazo" behind "hallowed" can be mean "to sanctify" or "to make holy" (Biblestudytools.com, n.d.), nowadays this defines "to make holy; sanctify; consecrate" (Dictionary.com, 2023). This word is found in the Bible Versions, King James Version, New King James Version, and New International Version
Halloween Origins, Developments, and Debates
The Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in) marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter, the "darker half" of the year. It was celebrated primarily in the area of what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. The Celts believed that on the night of October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing ghosts and other supernatural beings to roam the earth. To ward off evil spirits and confuse them, people wore costumes and masks, and lit bonfires. They also left food and drink outside their doors to appease any spirits that might visit.
Some modern Halloween traditions are believed to have merged with the Catholic observances over time. The practice of dressing up, for example, may have roots in medieval "guising," where people dressed in costumes. The association of Halloween with ghosts and death is also seen by some in the Catholic tradition as a reminder of the "last things"—death, judgment, heaven, and hell (EWTN, 2023). Over centuries, especially in North America, the celebration's religious elements diminished, and it became a more secular holiday focused on community events, and eventually, a family- and children-centered one, though the Catholic perspective focuses on honor of saints and martyrs.
The idea that Halloween is directly derived from the Celtic pagan festival of Samhain is widely debated among scholars, with some arguing that its roots are more firmly in medieval Christianity (Catholic Answers, 2022). Nowadays, Secular Halloween is a non-religious celebration of the holiday, focused on activities like wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, and decorating with spooky themes.
Undas Observance
Many Families, particular to the Catholic Backgrounds, gather at cemeteries to visit the graves of deceased relatives. Undas often serves as a family reunion, with relatives sharing meals, swapping stories, and playing games at the gravesite. Some families even spend the night at the cemetery, or even placing candle near the outside door.
This tradition blends Catholic beliefs with indigenous customs, with some families also setting up food and medical tents in the cemetery (Confinity.com, 2024). In the days leading up to November 1, families meticulously clean and repaint tombs. They decorate the graves with candles, fresh flowers, and sometimes colorful accessories.
Candles are lit on graves and at home to guide the souls of the departed toward peace and serenity. For many, the light represents the belief that love for the deceased never fades and that they can still communicate with them. Families bring food, and some even bring the deceased's favorite snacks or dishes, to share as part of the celebration. Adobo, pancit, and rice cakes (kakanin) are common foods during Undas. In some families, this resembles a potluck, as they share food and stories with one another.
Undas is a mix of the Catholic faith, introduced during Spanish colonial rule, and native Filipino practices that predate it. This blending results in a unique celebration that is both solemn and festive. The tradition of pangangaluluwa, where carolers sing for the dead in exchange for prayers or cakes, is a pre-colonial practice. However, this has been largely replaced by the Americanized tradition of Halloween trick-or-treating. Some areas, like La Union, have specific culinary practices during Undas, such as preparing and eating malagkit (glutinous rice cakes).
With many Filipinos living away from home, some have adopted modern practices like holding online vigils or commemorative dinners. Still, the core practice of remembering and honoring loved ones remains.
Basis of Disagreements from Non-Catholic Christians
Most Protestant denominations reject the concept of purgatory, believing instead that upon death, a person's soul goes directly to either heaven or hell. Therefore, the practice of praying for the dead is seen as unnecessary and unbiblical.
Although the Concept of Purgatory and Praying for the Dead from Catholics had basis of roots of Gehenna of Rabbinic Jewish and interpretation of Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Book (found in the Catholic Bible) 2 Maccabees 12:39-46, Protestants who rely on the principle of sola scriptura (Scripture alone) question the biblical foundation for the practice of praying for the dead, such as they believe that after death, a person's eternal fate is sealed—they either go to heaven or hell, and cannot be influenced by prayers from the living, and their perspective is supported by passages like Luke 16:19-31 (the story of the rich man and Lazarus) and Hebrews 9:27, which suggest that after death, there is a final judgment and no opportunity for change. However, a minority of Protestant interpretations find ambiguity in certain passages, such as 1 Corinthians 15:29 and 2 Timothy 1:16–18, and debate whether the Apostle Paul's prayers for Onesiphorus's household imply praying for the deceased (Restitutio, 2024).
The Catholic tradition of All Saints' Day celebrates the lives of recognized saints and martyrs, who are believed to be able to intercede for the living. Many Protestant denominations, especially evangelical ones, believe that Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and humanity and that prayer should be directed to God alone, not through the saints. Some Protestants interpret Old Testament prohibitions against consulting the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10–11) as a clear and absolute ban on all forms of communication with the deceased, including prayer. The New Testament contains no explicit command or clear example of Jesus or the apostles praying for the dead. This lack of instruction is seen by many Protestants as a sufficient reason to avoid the practice (GotQuestions.org, 2010).
Controveries on Halloween
Due to thought of Halloween as secular or worldly celebration, many Protestants, particular to Evangelicals and Charismatics, avoided and discourage this celebration and denounced as pagan or even demonic holidays, like a Facebook Post of Jaff Teves, sister of Joey Teves of Chosen Generation Ministries International (Jaff Teves Woman of fire, 2024).
Or even some missionaries from various protestant denominations, mostly from pentecostal, evangelical, and charismatic movements went to public cemeteries to reach and spreading their thoughts and discouragement on halloween or undas, that some may lead many confrontations and even conflicts with catholics, especially apologists.
Observance Outside Catholicism
Some mainline Protestant denominations, such as certain Anglican and Lutheran churches, have maintained a version of All Saints' Day. They may use the day to remember the "faithful departed" and thank God for the lives of his saints, though without the Catholic doctrines of purgatory and saintly intercession.
The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates All Souls' Day multiple times throughout the year rather than on November 2nd, and their practice differs from the Catholic tradition (GotQuestions.org, 2013).
References:
SCJ Philippines Region (2023, November 1). Undas: A Unique Tradition of Honoring the Dead in the Philippines. https://scjphil.org/2023/11/01/undas-a-unique-tradition-of-honoring-the-dead-in-the-philippines/
DDC. (2023, November 7). Undas: A Time to Remember and Honor Our Loved Ones. Dearly Departed. https://www.dearlydeparted.care/post/undas-a-time-to-remember-and-honor-our-loved-ones
Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office (2016, November 1). https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=709298635889813&id=650109391808738&set=a.650454591774218
History (2025, October 1). Halloween: Origins, Meaning & Traditions. https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween. (Original Published: 2009, November 18).
Lynch, D. (2021, October). Happy Hallowtide! - Holy Trinity Catholic Church and School. Holy Trinity Catholic Church and School - Taking the Journey Together. https://holytrinitydm.org/happy-hallowtide/
EWTN. (2023, October 31). The Origins of Halloween: A Catholic Celebration Rediscovered - EWTN Vatican. EWTN Vatican. https://ewtnvatican.com/articles/true-origins-of-halloween-a-celebration-steeped-in-catholic-tradition-1788
Catholic Answers. (2022, October 20). The (Fake) Pagan History of Halloween. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/is-halloween-a-pagan-festival
Confinity.com (2024). A Vibrant Filipino Celebration of Life and Legacy. https://www.confinity.com/culture/undas-a-vibrant-filipino-celebration-of-life-and-legacy
GotQuestions.org. (2013, October 29). What is All Souls’ Day? | GotQuestions.org. GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/All-Souls-Day.html
Restitutio (2024, September 26). 567 Are the Dead Conscious? (Dustin Smith, Sam Tideman) - Restitutio. https://restitutio.org/2024/09/26/567-are-the-dead-conscious-dustin-smith-sam-tideman/
GotQuestions.org. (2010, June 25). What does the Bible say about praying for the dead? | GotQuestions.org. GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-for-the-dead.html
Vaughan, D. (2025, October 15). Why Do We Celebrate Halloween? Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-we-celebrate-halloween (Original Published: 2022, October 28)
Jaff Teves Woman of fire (2024, October 31). https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17AKqPVZMo/
Dictionary.com (2023). Meanings & Definitions of English Words. Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/hallow
Biblestudytools.com (n.d.). What Does “Hallowed Be Thy Name” Mean? https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-does-hallowed-be-thy-name-mean.html
See also
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the views of any religious organization or denomination. This article is for religious and educational purposes only.
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