Filipinos in Western Sydney commemorate All Soul's Day

Filipinos in Western Sydney gather together last weekend to remember their deceased loved ones for an early memorial service.

Thousands of Filipino-Australians have attended the 'Filipino All Souls Day' service last weekend to remember their dearly departed. Credit: SBS Filipino/Annalyn Violata

Key Points

• November 2 is customarily a day for many Filipinos to remember their departed loved ones.
• A 'Filipino All Souls Day' service was held at Pinegrove, Forest Lawn and Castlebrook memorial parks this Saturday.
• Around 1,000 Filipino-Australians join in this annual service.

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Thousands of Filipinos in Sydney commemorate All Souls Day

Filipino-Australians in western Sydney gather together at the 'Filipino All Souls Day' to commemorate departed loved ones.

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All Soul's Day is an important part of Filipino culture. It's particularly devoted to prayers and commemoration of the lives of loved ones who passed on.

Members of the Filipino Chaplaincy Archdiocese of Sydney with Papal Nuncio to Australia Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana (wearing a mitre on his head during the 2019 Filipino All Souls Day service.

Father Nards from the Filipino Chaplaincy Archdiocese of Sydney has taken part in the religious event since its inception in 1995.

"It's an important occasion for many Filipinos. All Soul's Day is a day we remember the departed. It's not only a religious activity, but it's also a part of the Filipino culture," shares Fr Nards.

Reverend Reginaldo Lavilla leading the church service, with 10 other Filipino priests, at the Pinegrove Memorial Park service. Credit: SBS Filipino/Annalyn Violata

On Saturday, October 29, around a thousand Filipinos in Sydney gather together for the "Filipino All Soul's Day" service at Pinegrove, Forest Lawn and Castlebrook Memorial parks, located in the western Sydney area where a large number of Filipinos reside.

Aileen Labiga, Client Services Manager of Invocare's Multicultural Centre Division, coordinates the services at the three major memorial parks. She says "All Soul's Day is an important occasion in her Filipino culture in which it is tradition to attend the grave sites of loved ones and pray for them."

"In the Philippines, All Soul's Day is a public holiday, and people go to their hometowns, clean tombs and offer food, candles and flowers.”

"The only difference here in Australia, is we usually work on this day, that's why we conduct the All Soul's Day service on the Saturday nearest to November 2 which is All Soul's Day."

The first Filipino All Soul's Day service was first held in November 1995 at Pinegrove Memorial Park.

Members of the Alpha Phi Omega Australia Alumni Association NSW Chapter have been attending and helping out at the yearly Filipino All Souls' Day event. Credit: SBS Filipino/Annalyn Violata

The current and former presidents of the Alpha Phi Omega Australia Alumni Association NSW Chapter, Catherine Indac and Ellen McCarthy, also believe that apart from the importance of remembering those loved ones who have passed away, the day of the dead is a big part of Filipino culture.

Every first day of November, Christians commemorate All Saints' Day and All Soul's Day on the second of November.

The APO NSW Chapter group has been attending the annual All Soul's Day memorial service – they help in the preparation of the Chapel where the mass is being held.