Cleaning Up in Undas & Beyond: Respect for the Dead & the Living

The annual Undas (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day) celebration in the Philippines is a time to honor the dead, reconnect with loved ones, and reflect on our lives. Families flock to cemeteries, leaving flowers, lighting candles, and offering food to commemorate those who have passed. As millions travel and gather, the importance of “cleaning up our act” comes into sharp focus—not just in how we care for our surroundings during this holiday, but in the broader context of addressing deep-seated issues that impact our society.

The Importance of a Zero-Waste Undas

This year, eco-consciousness has been brought to the forefront. Environmental groups, including the EcoWaste Coalition, are urging Filipinos to adopt “zero-waste” practices during Undas. According to Rommel Ortega, Secretary-General of the Makakalikasan Nature Party Philippines, “Undas is a time not only to honor our loved ones but to practice discipline and responsibility in protecting the environment. This holiday reminds us that cleanliness should extend beyond physical spaces and into how we treat our world.”

Ecowaste advocates have highlighted the high levels of trash generated during the holiday—candy wrappers, plastic bags, disposable containers, and wilted flowers, all of which contribute to environmental degradation. Through campaigns and collaborations with local governments, there is a push for more sustainable practices, such as using reusable containers, avoiding single-use plastics, and disposing of waste properly.

Miss Earth candidates also joined efforts this year, emphasizing the role of individual responsibility in keeping cemeteries clean and trash-free. In many cemeteries, eco-volunteers reminded visitors to carry their trash home, supporting the “Cemetiquette” movement, which promotes cemetery etiquette, waste reduction, and care for public spaces. This approach to cleanliness during Undas also serves as a poignant metaphor for what many feel is lacking in governance: a clean, responsible, and future-oriented approach.

Cleaning Up Government: What We Owe the Living

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his message to the public, encouraged Filipinos to use Undas as an opportunity to renew hope and resilience. While his message focused on faith, it is also a reminder that values like integrity, respect, and dedication are sorely needed in governance. This year, many citizens have reflected on the importance of applying these values to the government as well as their personal lives.

The Philippines faces longstanding issues of corruption, graft, and “guns, goons, and gold” politics. Political dynasties often hold sway over entire regions, wielding their power to serve family interests rather than the public good. Transactional politics, where officials are influenced by bribes and favors rather than principles, remains pervasive. Cleaning up our government—eliminating corruption, enforcing ethical standards, and promoting transparency—is an urgent matter if we are to show genuine respect not only for our ancestors who sacrificed for the country but also for the living Filipinos who deserve a government they can trust.

These issues impact daily life in profound ways. Graft and corruption result in inefficient public services, underfunded healthcare and education, and limited job opportunities, keeping many in poverty. Environmental negligence further affects communities, particularly the vulnerable, as improper waste disposal and industrial mismanagement contribute to pollution and climate change. Criminal activities within the government have also tarnished public trust, fostering a pervasive sense of cynicism that hampers meaningful civic engagement and reform.

Ortega’s words on environmental discipline during Undas extend beyond cemetery grounds; they represent a call to action for everyone, particularly those in positions of power, to engage in cleaner, more ethical governance. “Many of our ancestors fought and sacrificed not only for their families but for the country. We owe it to them to act with integrity and honor,” he said.

Honoring Those Who Came Before

In Filipino tradition, Undas is a time to remember and honor the deceased, to offer prayers for their peace, and to celebrate the legacies they left behind. For many families, these ancestors endured hardship and struggle to secure a better life for future generations. Their sacrifices serve as a stark reminder of what we owe to those who came before us: to build a society that reflects the values they upheld.

When we talk about honoring the dead, it must go beyond the rituals of lighting candles or offering food; it should inspire us to ensure that the country they left behind is one of fairness, honesty, and sustainability. The legacy of previous generations, who fought for independence, justice, and equality, should not be tarnished by corruption, injustice, and selfish political agendas. As Rommel Ortega emphasized, “To truly honor our dead, we must strive to protect what they fought for—a country worth sacrificing for.”

Taking the Lessons Beyond Undas

In recent years, several citizen-led movements have called for governance reforms, pushing for an end to political dynasties and more stringent anti-corruption measures. Social media and community gatherings have amplified these calls, but significant obstacles remain. Political insiders often benefit from the status quo, which makes reform difficult without broad public support.

Filipinos can look to Undas as a period for national introspection. If we are willing to keep our cemeteries clean, why not our political system? If we can avoid waste in our personal rituals, why not prevent the waste of public resources and opportunities? The principles that drive the zero-waste Undas movement can be applied to governance as well: integrity, accountability, and sustainability.

A Call for a Better Future

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently reported that around 4.5 million Filipinos traveled for Undas this year, highlighting the massive movement and unity that this holiday brings. This sense of community and shared purpose could also be channeled into social change. As we remember our departed loved ones, let us also commit to leaving a better legacy for future generations—a legacy of honesty, environmental stewardship, and a government that serves its people with dedication.

As the day draws to a close and Filipinos return from their Undas visits, they carry with them memories and renewed commitments to both the living and the dead. This year, as we clean our cemeteries, let us also resolve to clean our government. The journey to meaningful reform may be long, but it begins with individual actions and a collective desire for change. Let us honor the dead by building a better, cleaner, and more respectful society for the living.