Ibajay is rare, special, and unique in many ways. From custom to principles to religious practices, beliefs and tradition, Ibajay carries a different aura all its own.

One of Ibajay’s unchangeable traditions is the observation of TODOS LOS SANTOS or ALL SAINTS’ DAY and KAEAG-KAEAG or ALL SOULS’ DAY celebrated every November 1 st. Some Ibajaynons all over the world try to come home to visit the grave of their departed loved ones. Still others send flowers and candles if they can’t come home but most of them who are in the islands make their moral obligation to be home as a family reunion.

It is very touching to note that no matter how poor they are, they still can afford to prepare a table full of foods particularly native delicacies as offering to the souls of their loved ones, pinais, suman, ibos, huwad-huwad and others as well as the favorite dish of the dead.

The church activities start at 2:00 P.M. where a mass is celebrated in the church after which a procession follows up to the cemetery. The priest with his assistant sprinkles holy water to all the tombs blessing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Candles of different colors and sizes were lighted in every tomb while aromas of fresh flowers and artificial flowers added meaning and significance to the occasion. Those who were not able to attend the mass say their novenas in the cemetery.

This occasion is not only a reunion of departed souls with their families and relatives but also those of their friends, classmates and contemporaries separated for quite a long time. They usually met in the cemetery creating a scenario of tears and laughter, of hugs and kisses of hi and hellos as they recall bygone days never to be forgotten. At the close of the day, people slowly ebb from the cemetery as they go home to light candles along the way to their house and around the vicinity believing that it will guide the souls of their loved ones back to their homes for a hearty meal, which is done by putting a “dasag” in the altar. “Dasag” are foods placed on the altar, as offering to the souls of the departed loved ones. Others call it “Dat-on.” Children go from house to house shouting “gapangaeag kami” until their plastic bags are full of foods. With the candles’ wick flickering, the end of a special and traditional celebration of KAEAG-KAEAG, Ibajay style seems inevitable at least for this moment, yet the promise of next year’s embrace of our loved ones who journeyed beyond will be deeply anticipated again in tears, joy and special memories.