Remembering friends and relatives who passed away in 2026

Remembering friends and relatives who passed away in 2026

Today is Sunday, November 1, 2026—All Saints’ Day here. As I write, it is already November 2, All Souls’ Day, in the Philippines.

Growing up in San Fernando, Pampanga, I remember Todos Los Santos as a time for friends and relatives to reunite and renew their ties to departed ancestors.

Loved ones came from near and far to gather at the public cemetery, greet one another, and light candles at our ancestors’ puntod, or graves.

Today, social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram allow us to stay connected without meeting in person.

After months of silence on Facebook, I posted a tribute to my departed friend, Tita Pearl.

I also learned through Facebook of other friends and relatives who passed away this year, but I have not yet shared tributes honoring their legacies with their loved ones.

Today, in keeping with the Roman Catholic observances of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, I remember some of them here. Later, I will write fuller tributes about their lives and how our paths crossed.

In Loving Memory

• Rodolfo “Popo” Torres – A student council president, Teatro actor and writer, and dear friend during my time on the faculty of UP College Baguio. This morning, I read his son’s post announcing his passing on October 31, 2026.

• Apong Filemon Balingit – I learned of his passing from his kabalen in Masantol. A longtime artist at St. Patrick’s, he created seasonal displays for the Nativity, Easter, and Holy Week. He was also a longtime mentor and partner in parol-making and the lantern festival in SoMa Pilipinas. In his nineties, he returned to his hometown to spend his final years.

• Luz De Leon – I briefly shared memories of her life and legacy at a celebration of her life at Sentro Filipino, organized by Pistahan Festival friends and former comrades in the Bay Area.

• Bobby Hallili – My batchmate and close friend at the University of the Philippines in the 1970s. He belonged to UPSCA; I was with LIKAS, the History Club. We reunited in Los Angeles in 1985 and worked together in the solidarity movement.

• Amado Figueroa – Kong Mado of Montebello, brother of Kuya Lito, my sister Bella’s late husband.

• Bernadette Ocampo Canlas – Wife of Kuya Douglas.

• Allen Canlas – Our cousin in Sacramento and my childhood friend in Tenejero, Philippines.

• Pearl Parmelee – On July 12, 2026, I shared a Facebook tribute titled “The Gospel of Matthew and a Tribute to Tita Pearl: Making Filipino Food and Culture Visible, Celebrated, and Connected in America.”

Others also deserve to be named and remembered in this tribute.

At Mass this morning at St. Patrick’s, the priest’s discussion of the three groups that make up the Catholic Church caught my attention. Curious, I asked ChatGPT to explain. I want to share what I learned to deepen today’s remembrance of my departed friends and relatives.

***

The Triad of Catholics: One Church, One Christ, One Communion

On this Solemnity of All Saints, the Gospel of the Beatitudes reminds us that holiness is the calling of every Christian.

The Church Triumphant consists of the saints who have attained heaven. They inspire us with their example and intercede for us.

The Church Suffering consists of the souls being purified in purgatory. They remind us that God’s mercy continues to work in the journey toward eternal life, and that our prayers for the departed are acts of love.

The Church Militant consists of us, the faithful still journeying on earth. We are called to live the Beatitudes through humility, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and perseverance in faith.

We are not three separate churches. We are one Church, united in Christ.

The saints in heaven encourage us. The souls in purgatory need our prayers. And we, the Church on earth, must continue our pilgrimage of faith.

The Church Triumphant shows us the destination.

The Church Suffering reminds us of purification.

The Church Militant calls us to action.

Today, let us remember that we are not merely called to admire the saints. We are called to become saints.

May the Beatitudes be our guide, Christ our strength, and heaven our eternal home.

+++++

Facebook post 11/1/2026