By Michelle Domocol @inflourish_
Back to Inflourish: Cebu Blog
Around this time of year, Filipinos at home or overseas may be observing Kalag-kalag on All Saints’ Day and All Soul’s Day (November 1 & 2). By the end of October, people start traveling to their home barangays or islands to reconnect with family. They may start preparing favorite dishes of deceased family and friends. They bring those same dishes to their loved ones’ graves, where the living may set up picnics, conduct masses, or hold vigils. They may clean, decorate, or place altars around the graves. While some families stay near the graves overnight, other families continue prayers and celebratory commemorations at home. They may spend the night feasting with family, singing together, and organizing children’s games. Kalag-kalag ceremonies and celebrations help process grief and express reverence for those who have passed.
I made two designs inspired by family tributes and memorials. If you build your own memorial garden, incorporate any religious, spiritual, or personally significant symbols that help you reconnect with or honor the departed. This may include the deceased’s favorite plants, religious statues, or blessed items. You may also want to add comfortable furniture or outdoor kitchen elements for visitors during Kalag-kalag.
In the design below, I incorporated a water feature. A beautiful pond may promote peace during a time of sorrow or solemn remembrance. I also included convenient benches, stairs, and lawns for guests to relax, meander, chat, or eat outside.
This garden features hardy native and naturalized plants include: (A) Cyperus alternifolius grasses; (B) Persicaria nepalensis and Persicaria lapathifolia groundcovers; (C) aquatic and semi-aquatic grasses like Cyperus brevifolius, Cyperus compressus, Typha latifolia, and Typha orientalis; (D) Ardisia elliptica, Aglaonema nitidum, Aglaonema simplex shrubs; (E) Carex baccans and Carex indica grasses; (F) Muntigia calubra trees (Mansanitas); (G) Magnolia carsonii and Magnolia lilifera trees
This second design below features flowering native trees and shrubs wrapping around a garden path. The exuberant floral beauty can symbolize rebirth and life’s precious finitude.
This design’s flowering native plants like: (A) Eugenia aherniana and Eugenia unifora (Surinam cherry) shrubs; (B) Lagerstroemia celebica and Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba) trees; (C) Syzygium antisepticum, Syzygium claviflorum, naturalized Syzgium cumini; and (D) Morella javanica shrubs; and (E) Lagerstroemia spp. shrub varieties
outdooR ILLUMINATION
In both designs, I insert outdoor lighting. Get-togethers during Kalag-kalag and All Souls’ Day can continue after dinnertime. Install garden lights to ensure the garden remains inviting after dinner. I prefer to hang solar outdoor lights from strong tree branches. Or you can place them in garden beds. Outdoor lighting really enhances a welcoming atmosphere.
You can also use elegant and discreet light fixtures. Below, I added recessed lighting inside the steps, the pond, and underneath the bench.
Take care, and if you’d like more inspiration for a memorial garden, check out this previous article, Lola’s Bam-i Garden.
