Betisenian San Diego Chapter

What makes our ancient town of Betis unique from anywhere else in the Philippines?

It's our tradition...

Did you know that during the dates of November 1 through November 10 we're the only town that celebrates Daunan or All Souls Day.

On All Saints’ Day (rather than on All Souls’ Day, the next day, which is really their day in the Catholic calendar), they visit the dead as if they have come back precisely to commune with them. They gather as families before their graves, bringing food, flowers, candles, and good cheer. Families reminisce about the times when they were among them. They thank them for their love and what they have done for them. They ask for their forgiveness and continuing guidance. Light a candle and the day is done.

While most people have stashed away leftover candles on All Saints'Day, the people of Betis have just started honoring their dead.

The event is marked by a noon time novena at the St. James the Apostle Church after which people would troop to the cemetery to light candles and pray for their dead loved ones. They would repeat this for nine days, faithfully observing a tradition that has long been in existence.

It is sad to say that the longest commemoration of All Souls' Day in Betis is facing the threat of being altered as younger generation are fast forgetting the traditions of the celebration and introducing their own version of "remembering the dead."

In one of the entrance of the graves their is a dictum inscribed on the portal of the cemetary: “Acu ngeni, ica bucas” roughly meaning "Me today, you tomorrow"