For the third consecutive year, the Sariaya Tourism Council (STC), did the traditional “Pangangaluluwa” around town on the night of Tuesday, October 30, 2007, as part of its commitment to the preservation and enhancement of local, time - honored traditions.

The “Pangangaluluwa“ is based on the traditional belief that the souls of the dead roam and visit the living on “All Souls’ Day“ which falls on November 2nd, just as the “All Saints’ Day“ is celebrated on November 1st. Accordingly, in the old days, young children were roused from sleep at midnight by their parents and were made to look out of the windows to watch the “Mangangaluluwa“, a group of people who were fully cloaked with white cloth from head to toe. Initially, they pray the “Ama Namin“, the “Aba Ginoong Maria“ and the “Luwalhati“, in voices that seem to come from the grave. Then they render traditional songs of the occasion and were given alms by the house owners, which they used to pay for masses to be said in honor of the souls of the departed. It was customary to prepare and serve “Ginataan“, a host of root crops like “camote, gabe and ube“, solely, or in combination, with “sago“, “galapong“ balls for “pinaltok“ and “langka“, cooked in rich thick coconut milk, sweetened with ample sugar for the occasion.

In recent years, the “Pangangaluluwa“ all but vanished from convention and has been replaced by the now very popular, western - adapted Halloween “trick or treat“ and ghoulish costume parties, an inevitable consequence of too much commercialization and the proliferation of the Mall culture.

The STC incorporated “All Hollow’s Eve“ as well as popular elements into the “Pangangaluluwa“ in terms of the costumes worn in the activity… scarecrow get up with tattered shirts and pants in 2005, sinister, haunting and bizarre - looking colorful masks over dark blue STC shirts in 2006, and for this year, cool and novel “ Hup Holl and Hup!” orange hats and headdresses used for Dutch Football Mania in the Euro Cup, over black STC shirts. Such was done to put fun, fanfare and entertainment value on the tiresome task as they go around from house to house, previously delivered with solicitation letters explaining the purpose of the fund raising activity, for enhancing the tourism prospects of Sariaya. After doing the “Pangangaluluwa“, the respective donors were then given tokens of their support for the beneficial endeavors of the STC. Some of these generous and kind – hearted “Kababayans“ even graciously invite the group for a previously prepared merienda of time honored Sariayahin specialties like Tamales’ Pancit Bihon, Broas, Mamon and Empanada, complete with drinks, a beautiful and good – natured reaffirmation of our town’s legendary hospitality.

Ever since 2005, the songs used for the activity traditionally came from Sariaya’s Barangay Bignay I as well as Ibaan, Batangas, courtesy of STC Treasurer Ma. Teresa Cuello – Baligod. Done in their catchy, jolly and fast – paced, guitar – accompanied renditions, two of them with their complete lyrics are as follows:

Nandirito Ngayon
(From Barangay Bignay I, Sariaya, Quezon)

Nandirito ngayon, Nandirito
Kaluluwang Buhay
Aawitan kayo ng mga awiting
Nanggaling sa hukay

Ang pinanggalinga’y iba’t ibang parte
Ng sandaigdigan
Kami ay sa langit
Kayo’y sa purgatoryo
Sila’y sa impiyerno

Nang kami’y dumating, nang kami’y dumating
Sa balat ng lupa
Sinalubong kami, Sinalubong kami
Kayraming kandila

Siya’y nagsisilbing tanglaw, Siya’y nagsilbing tanglaw
Sa aming paggala
Hanggang sa dumatal
Sa inyong harapan
Butihing maybahay

Ang katotohana’y kami ay samahan
Ng taga Turismo
Bayan ng Sariaya, Bayan ng Sariaya
Ang tinagurian

Tanging dasal namin, kayo’y pagpalain
Sa inyong gawain
Patnubayan kayo ng Poong Maykapal
Habang nabubuhay!

CARMELITA
(From Ibaan, Batangas)

Sa ngalan ng Diyos Ama
Huwag kayong magigitla
Magandang gabi ang una
Kaluluwa’y kumakanta

Sa bayan po nitong Lipa
May kumbentong Carmelita
Nang pumasok si Teresita
May milagrong nakikita

Sa kumbentong may imahen
Carmelita kung tawagin
Kung ikaw ay dumalangin
Ikaw ay pagpapalain

Nabalita ang milagro
Carmelita sa kumbento
Ito po ay dinarayo
Ng maraming mga tao

Pagpatak ng mga rosas
Carmelita nagliwanag
Kapag inyong naging palad
May rosas kang matatanggap

May bulag at mga lumpo
Nang pumasok sa kumbento
Ay gumaling na totoo
Kaya kami naririto

Ang birhen po ay nag – utos
Ngayon po ay Todos Los Santos
Kaluluwa’y naglilibot
Nanghihingi po ng limos

Yaman pong kami’y tapos na
Carmelita na kinanta
Maybahay na sinisinta
Limusan ang kaluluwa.

This year’s “Mangangaluluwas“ was led by STC President Rev. Fr. Andrew S. Hernandez, together with Dyun Abanador, Tek Baligod, Roi Baligod, Jo Ann Almendrala, JR de Gracia, Tonton Castro, Rik Sumague, and Eric Dedace, with local guitarist and church choir regular Gil Catapang.

Previous “Pangangaluluwas“ likewise included other STC members Ma. Arlene Palabrica, Benjie Lozano, Deo Oreta, Teody de la Pena and Bernie Cadorna As in the past two years, the hired jeepney transport was arranged through Mr, Ariel Lagrazon, now newly elected Kagawad of Barangay Poblacion 5,

With these endeavors so stated, it can be stated that tourism, justly and indeed, goes hand in hand with the time honored customs and traditions of Sariaya.